Masterline Molds Scrapbook By Shauna Secord...Years of Celebration

     On October 3, 2014, John Secord and Sharon Secord celebrated their Golden 50th Wedding Anniversary which means they are celebrating 45 years of being in business together as it was an Anniversary Dinner celebration with family when they decided to start White Oak Pottery that has evolved into Masterline Molds.  Being a part of a family business has shown me that most decisions are made at family gatherings, or around the kitchen or dinner table and the business grows with family in mind. 

John Secord and Sharon Secord on their Wedding Day October 3, 1964

 

 

 

Congratulations Mom and Dad on 50 years of marriage and 45 years of being in business together. 

Masterline Molds Scrapbook By Shauna Secord....United Nations East Jerusalem occupied Palestinian Territory (West Bank) Soap Bar Project

This is a project that was created this summer for 2014 launch.  

     Isabel from The United Nations in East Jerusalem occupied Palestinian Territory (West Bank) contacted us at Masterline Molds to design and create molding for their soap project.  This will be a money generating project with the people in Zababdeh that the United Nations has created.  

 This was the process.  We were given the UNRWA logo and suggested how it should look on the surface of the soap bar.  Once the design and size was approved, we created a Plaster Prototype of what the soap bar would like like in the positive. -- with Isabel de la Cruz/UNRWA Achives.

 This is the Plaster Prototype Cube for the UNRWA Soap Bar Project. Cube Shape, 2" x 2" x 2" thick with slight rounded edge. Raised artwork and lettering with engraved lines. United Nations located in East Jerusalem occupied Palestinian Territory (West Bank).  Once project Plaster Prototype was approved, we created the block and the Silicone Production Molds to be sent to Zababdeh -- with Isabel de la Cruz/UNRWA Achives.

 This is one of the UNRWA Cube Soap Bar Silicone Molds used by the expert soap makers in a small village called Zababdeh. — with Isabel de la Cruz/UNRWA Achives.

 This is an image of the centuries old soap recipe being created. During the Olive Oil Harvest Season, a 78 year old soap making expert begins making the soap that will be used in the molds and create the finished UNRWA Soap Bars. — with Isabel de la Cruz/UNRWA Archives.

UNRWA Jerusalem Soap Bar Project. In the small town of Zababdeh, a 78 year old woman who is an expert soap maker is following centuries old traditions to create olive oil soap bars. There are three generations of family creating the finished soap bars with the UNRWA Emblem. Isabel sent us these beautiful photos. We at Masterline Molds were excited to receive the images and know that the master soap makers enjoy the Silicone Molds. — with Alaa Ghosheh/UNRWA Archives.

When we saw the trowel, we at Masterline Molds all smiled as this is a tool we share in common. — with Alaa Ghosheh/UNRWA Archives.

They are de-molding the UNRWA Olive Oil Soap Bars from the Silicone Molds. We started the design of the UNRWA Jerusalem Soap Bar at the beginning of summer 2013 and excited to see that they are in full production, now manufacturing the finished soap bars. — with Alaa Ghosheh/UNRWA Archives.

From This Plaster Prototype to the finished product below

The lovely finished UNRWA  Olive Oil Soap Bars ready to be sent for packaging. The soap bar cube will be placed into a branded box. Love the final hand made look of the olive oil soap bars with the air pockets as they look like limestone cubes with the UNRWA Emblem raised on the surface. — with Aalaa Ghosheh/UNRWA Archives.

Masterline Molds Scrapbook By Shauna Secord... Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario Fundraiser Project Molding

 Heart and Stroke Fountain of Ontario walked in Masterline Molds in 1998 with the request of a mask created that would be decorated by various Canadians and auctioned at their Masquerade Gala Dinner. Sharon Secord sculpted the mask, John Secord made the block and molding and I cast the masks, prepared them for their bisque fire with Sharon and we packed them up to be sent to the various Canadians.... There was a sheet included for directions and suggestions of materials. Should any of the people contributing their art to creating the masks need help or questions answered, they call us.

 

From left to right: George Whiteside: Photographer, Ernie Coombs: Actor (Mr. Dressup....Sharon Talked with him about pasting and sealing paper mache...we used the phrase "Well Bond and clear acrylic spray" allot during this project, Ian Leventhal: Patron Artist, David Marshak: Artist, Steve McDonald: Artist, Danny Grossman: Owner Danny Grossman Dance Co., Murray Bain: Animator.

 This Image Shows from left to right: The Tea Party: Rock Group, Louise Harris: Graphic Artist, Cassandra Vasik: Singer/Songwriter, Jack Joel: Illustrator/Artist, Colleen Fleming: President of Laura Secord, Jane Hall: Artist/Designer. For The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario 1998 Gala.

Images of Masks auctioned and the creators of the finished product from left to right: Ronnie Hawkins: Singer/Songwriter, Larry Middlestadt: Artist, Justin Thomas: Artist/Actor, Rebecca Jenkins: Actress, Dave Broadfoot: Actor/Comedian (Royal Canadian Air Farce).

 From Left to right: Billy Newton-Davis: Singer, Joy Fielding: Author, Maureen Forester: Singer/Songwriter, Crowbar: Musical Group, Robert Pilon: Actor/Singer, Jon Ennis: Businessman, Alfred Ng: Artist...For Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.

From left to right: Gloria Valentine: Actress, Sonia von Walter: Artist, Keith Batey: Creative Director FCED Advertising, Major General Lewis Mackenzie IV: Retired and Toller Kranston: Skater/Artist (mom enjoyed his call)

The Contributors to these finished creations from left to right: August Schellenber: Actor (Free Willy), Greg Midensky: Illustrator/Designer, Donald Smith: Toronto Argos Football Player/Artist, Lawrence Cherniak: Artist, Robery Saley: Artist

 From Left to right: Al Waxman: Actor (Called to discuss how to ventilate his place because he used allot of clear spray on his mask after the what to use conversation), Peter Banks: Artist, Arkadi Kuhlmann: President of ING Bank of Canada, Rita MacNeil: Singer (Sharon Secord enjoyed her conversations and music, she called allot and usually for a good hour or two), Anne Murray: Singer/Songwriter...For the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario 1998.

From Left to right: Ian Leventhal: Patron Artist, Natalie Ross: Singer, Patricia Conroy: Country Singer, Adrienne Clarkson: TV Personality/became Governor General of Canada (Wanted to have some information of adhering the mask to a background and what would good to use), Brad Magnus: Entertainer, Paul Godfrey: CEO of The Toronto Star/Politician...For the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario

From left to right: Heather Levine: Artist, Robert Saley and David Marshak: Artists, Michael Roberts: Animator, Jim Galloway: Artistic Director Toronto Jazz Society, George McNeil: Chef for Royal York, Elaine Todres: President of Baycrest Centre for Geriatric Care, John McDermot: Singer....For Heart and Stroke Foundation Of Ontario.

From left to right: Paul Gross: Actor(Due South in 1998), Gail Balfe: Artist, Pamela Wallin: TV Personality (A Current Affair) now a Canadian Senator (and on the news instead of commenting about the news!), Paul Anka: Singer/Songwriter.....More Canadians involved in creating the finished artwork auctioned in the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario 1998.

June Callwood: Author, Kurt Browning: Figure Skater (Lovely man and chose pencil), Jo-Ann Milner: Artist, Mel Lastman: Mayor of Toronto in 1998, Paul Manthrop: Artist, Phil Hartman: Actor/Comedian.

Wayne Rostad: Singer/TV Personality, Mike" Pinball" Clemons: Toronto Argos Football Player, William Shatner: Actor (needed to know how to sign his name on the mask....his chose the suggestion of a silver pen....Great to talk with and I referred to him as Kirk a couple times as it came up... ), Graham Greene: Actor (Dances With Wolves), Darryl Sitler: Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Player Retired...

Burton Cummings: Singer, Al Palladini: MPP, Susan Schaefer: Artist, Tyler Aspin: Naturalist/Artist, Jean Chretien: Prime Minister of Canada, Mike Harris: Premier of Ontario in 1998....

We had family visit Masterline Molds as we are a family based business. My sister came in to Masterline Molds for a visit and we where busy working on other projects as we had this one completed. We usually didn't talk about projects once with family so, my sister didn't know that their we a variety of Canadians calling us. She picked up the phone as I had a tray of greenware in my hands...all I... heard was "You're not the Prime Minister of Canada" and saw the phone placed on the receiver....(OOOOOOOOOOOOO where my thoughts as I set tray down and went to the telephone). She told me that some guy crank called and I knew it wasn't a crank call. Mom said "oh Tanya don't answer the phone dear." as she came from around the corner. Later the Prime Minister called back and I thanked him for calling, letting him know that not everyone knew about the project. He is enjoyable to speak with on the telephone and I liked that he put the phone down so that he could put his slippers on instead of hanging up which became a running bit with him. He had many conversations.

Isabelle Brasseur & Lloyd Eisler: Figure Skaters, Pairs Team Olympic Medalists, Michelle Wright: Singer/Songwriter, Dan Ackroyd: Actor/Comedian, Paul Shaffer: Musician (David Letterman Show), John Kelly: Created the mask for the President of Transamerica Life.

"This Guy" made my mother and I laugh when he called. Paul Shaffer wanted to know how to place spoons in the eyes as the eye glasses, and my mother had l rather long conversation before he called, so she put him hold and asked that Talk with Paul about his spoons while she went to the washroom.....It was an enjoyable conversation and the "Weldbond and clear acrylic spray" comment became a bit on ...Letterman along with the rest of the conversation. He was asking about what the other people have on their masks and I said "Weldbond and clear acrylic spray" as long as you have that on your mask, you are good. I thanked him for the lovely comment about me having a sweet and pleasant voice, which he thought was the reason why it took like 1-2 hours to get a phone call in or have someone return his call. I had suggested Silicone clear caulking or drill a hole through the back rim and wire it or use Weldbond and clear acrylic spray... he said, "I am going to use one of those suggestions but I am going to make you guess as to which one worked. You have to watch the show to find out."....I tuned into Letterman for the week and yes he used...."Weldbond and clear acrylic spray" LOL....

Demetrios Gaslanopoulos, Welly Kurniawan, Hasmig Possian: Fashion Designers, Howie Mandel: Comedian, Royal Canadian Air Farce cast/Crew: TV Parody show on CBC Canada, Carol Shields: Author, Bonnie Stern (Chef) and Rose Snukal (Artist), Heather Cooper: Artist...We some more lovely Canadians that created finished masks for the Heart and Stroke Foundation Of Ontario.

 The Tragically Hip: Rock Group, Eric Lindros: Hockey Player for Philadelphia Flyers, Ian Leventhal: Patron Artist, The Toronto Argonauts 1997 Grey Cup Champion Team, John Petrella: Artist

Celine Dion: Singer/Songwriter, Robert Bateman: Artist/Sculpture, Lawrance Gowan: Singer, Chris Roberts: Artist, Brian MacDonald: Photographer, Ashley MacIsaac: Singer

Michael Smith: Decathlete, Patti Janetta: Singer, Chantel Kreviazik: Singer, Hugh Thornton: Artist/Illustrator, Mats Sundin: Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Player, and Greg Kavanagh: Juno award winning Record Producer/Composer...These were the people that finished those masks that Sharon base sculpted so that The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario would have some lovely and memorable art to auction. Great stories (some not expressed) and humble memories.

Masterline Molds Scrapbook: Hallowe'en Page By Shauna Secord...Horror Movie Props Molding

     So Hallowe'en is screaming closer and my post this week is about two horror movies. My dad John Secord had a man walk into Masterline Molds around the late 80's looking for tiles and thin slabs that would explode without hurting anyone and break easily. John Secord created some molding and suggested that they use earthenware clay in its unfired greenware state to achieve the effect. They colored the un-fired greenware earthenware clay the colors they needed to create the look and it worked great from the tests he gave them. My mom had to be home to receive us from school, so when it came time for the movie effects people to pick up the molds he made for them, they decided to have them show up at our home to get the molds.

     This guy showed up with the movie effects people. Yes, "Ham Tyler" from "V" was in my driveway drinking some of my mom's freshly made lemonade because he was thirsty and reciting lines from this movie "Prom Night 2" that my dad, John Secord had done some molding for. While My dad and the effects man discussed some molding, I interviewed personally Michael Ironside about his career and life. It was enjoyable and when they were done placing the molds into the car, Michael Ironside acted out the end of the movie "Prom Night 2"....later, my dad created some more molding for "Prom Night 3".

Masterline Molds Scrapbook By Shauna Secord....Miniature Originals Created by Sharon Secord

     As John enjoyed working on large items, Sharon Secord, my mom enjoyed creating smaller items. Sharon has been the primary sculptor for Masterline Molds knowing that her enjoyment is found in creating the tiniest of ceramic products. Under Miniature Originals, she developed small ceramic teapots with bunnies and mice instead. Letting her imagination grow, she turned them into slightly larger scenes (2.5" in height) with wizards and dragons, or Holiday bunnies preparing for parties. She has made many of these little tiny ceramic miniatures, most noted for the little teapot mice. She created a mold for the teapots that was about 1" in height and had sculpted little scenes of daily life in the Teapot and Bunnyville Villages. These little scenes have been collected through the decades Internationally and sometimes she would be commissioned to create special pieces for private collectors who had a hobby or a theme the enthusiast asked to have miniaturized.

She would create ink and water colour drawings and then sculpt. This is a close up of one of Sharon Secord's Hand Sculpted Miniatures named Tea Time in Bunnyville complete with cabbages in the garden, a teapot on the table with carrot cake and a little bunny doll cradled in the hands of a young bunny bathing in the afternoon sun. 

Masterline Molds Scrapbook By Shauna Secord...Canadian Olympic and Athletes Hand Imprints

     This is how I have recognized my father John Secord since I was born with the moustache!!! This picture is a close up from another picture I will post where is with some Canadian Olympians.

This is how I have recognized my father John Secord since I was born with the moustache!!! This picture is a close up from another picture I will post where is with some Canadian Olympians.

This picture was taken at the ground breaking ceremony for the Olympic Spirit Museum which was created in the early 2000s. Toronto, Ontario was making a bid to host the Olympics. Bruny Surin - Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist 4x100m Relay Race, Marnie McBean - Canadian 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Coxless Pairs, Eights Events, Double Skulls, Bronze Medalist in Quadruple Skulls, Cheryl Pounder - Canadian 2-time Olympic Gold Medalist in Women's Hockey, Chris Harnett - Canadian Olympic Silver Medalist, 2-time Bronze Medalist in Cycling where there for the ground breaking ceremony and Masterline Molds made the rubber molds for the tiles. I was in the back making the stone for their hand impressions while the speeches resinated through the air and when they were ready and the stone was firm enough, they placed their hands in for the impressions to be made.

This is Steve Nash.  He had his hand impressions made later.  Masterline Molds helped make his tile too.  I enjoyed that afternoon at the Olympic Spirit Museum, which was open and holding a press conference for Steve Nash who was in the city working on a Canadian basketball project for kids in the Toronto Community.  I know the Museum closed and Rogers Communications purchased the build that was renovated into studios for City TV and Omni TV in 2009.

Masterline Molds Scrapbook By Shauna Secord... Origins of Masterline Molds

     This is a picture of my dad, John Secord. This is the only time in my life I have not seen him with a moustache. It is a close up image of him from a newspaper article when he first started in the ceramic industry and made molds.

     This is the article from that close up picture. My dad set up a barn board booth at a convention in Ontario in 1970 for their company White Oak Pottery. This is how Masterline Molds began, as a ceramic company that my Nana owned called White Oak Pottery. It was a curio shop and ceramic studio in Oakville, Ontario. My parents bought the business and moved it to their farm in Acton, Ontario wher...e they started creating unique design based ceramic products. 

     My father learned mold making from an English Pottery maker and from their they began a business. Their studio was in a barn near their farmhouse, furnished with kilns and freshly made blocks that formed the molds that the created the finished product. Sharon had learned about formulating clay and glazes and so they started to design items they enjoyed with a Canadian style. Members from a Japanese Trade Delegation arrived at the booth and placed an initial order of 160 items that they were going to sell at the World's Fair Expo in Japan (1970) for Canada Week. The item was an earthenware ceramic Maple Leaf dish with multi-coloured glazes done in a technique my mother created. 

     The order grew with incredible rate. The Canadian Government had asked for their products to travel through the southern United States on a promotional campaign for trade commerce between Canada and the United States. The ceramic molds were made in the Masterline Molds style of ceramic molding and the finished product was innovative. The Maple Leaf dish was one item of many....