![]() |
Gourd Enthusiasm Growing Around the WorldGourds pLaid an essential role in the daily life of early cultures. Commonly used as containers and vessels, they were also used for musical instruments. Some cultures used gourds for birdhouses and feeders and this is what most people today think of when they hear the word gourd. Or maybe you can remember a dipper made out of a gourd at Grandma's house years ago. Now artists and crafts people have discovered a new medium to develop their creativity. I'm not sure when the gourd craze officially started but it worked it's way into my life about eight years ago by way of an article in a gardening magazine. It looked interesting and so that spring I decided to grow a couple gourd plants. My first creations were, of course, birdhouses. Later, after some research and book purchases, the world of gourds exploded and I have found that the creative possibilities are limitless. Even if you can't come up with your own ideas there are a multitude of books and tutorials written by gourd artists and crafters explaining different techniques that can be done with gourds. Gourd craft is working its way into the hands of accomplished artists who have found the gourd to be an exciting new way to showcase their art. They are not just for crafters anymore. So now that you have gotten a little gourd enthusiasm of your own what comes next? Well, the gourd of course. Gourd growers and suppliers, once few and far between, are beginning to pop up everywhere. Many can be found on the internet. Gourds come in all shapes and sizes, from minis to giants. The name of the gourd can give you a clue about the shape, such as egg, cannonball, canteen, basketball, bottle and so forth. You get the idea. In order to work with the gourd it must be dry. If you happen to find gourds being sold in the fall at a farmers market they will most likely be freshly harvested. These will have to dry for a few months to a year or more depending on size. I personally don't like to purchase green gourds, as they are called, just in case they haven't fully matured. Some growers new to the world of gourd craft don't understand the needs of the gourd artist. They are only concerned with growing gourds for fall decoration. A poorly grown gourd, instead of drying, may rot or have a shell too thin to work with. I'm in favor of buying gourds that have already dried. This way surprises and disappointments can be reduced. You still may have a few along the way though. When gourds dry they produce a moldy skin that eventually dries on the gourd. This skin has to be removed before art work can begin. After the skin is removed you may discover some holes or warts on your gourd. Or during cleaning you might discover your hard gourd has turned soft once you got it wet. This is the sign of a thin shell. There are things that can be done with a thin shell but for the most part we look for gourds with thick, sturdy shells. To avoid these problems, look for cleaned, ready to craft gourds. These gourds have been cleaned for you. Cleaning is a messy job and you may not have the desire or area in which to do it yourself. So come and join in the fun and find out for yourself the addicting powers of the gourd. Martha Bloom: grower and crafter of gourds.
The Alphabetical Guide To Craft Hobbies | A-Z List Of Crafts Country Living UK Opinion | Dive into old hobbies, get creative at Fort Erie Public Library Niagara Falls Review Anna Sharp | Obituaries | madisoncourier.com Madison Courier 10 Relaxing Hobbies to Help You Unwind The Teen Magazine Michaels Welcomes Sellers with Launch of Online Marketplace EcommerceBytes Two Sisters Put Up for Adoption at End of WWII Finally Reunite After ... Good News Network Donna Hand | Obituary | Gloucester Times Gloucester Times Columbia Staff Spotlight - Ms. Frye | Columbia Elementary School Fairfax County Public Schools 8 craft hobbies everyone's talking about in 2023 Country Living UK Buff Sorensen Obituary (1945 - 2023) Legacy.com Obituary for Mildred H. Bauer Hathaway Funeral Homes Georgia Renn Obituary (1934 - 2022) Legacy.com Tyndall Connect: Building relationships Tyndall Air Force Base Lois Carlson Obituary (1958 - 2023) Legacy.com 7 great handmade Mother's Day gift ideas from Northern Ireland ... NorthernIrelandWorld Business Intel: Crossroads Hobbies and Crafts Roanoke Times Plan Your Week for March 20 | Calendar | dailysentinel.com The Daily Sentinel Hobby Lobby to open this fall in Midland Mall Midland Daily News 39 ideas for fun new hobbies — 01/12/23 Manchester HippoPress Arts and crafts RNIB Meet Buffs with similar hobbies | Division of Student Affairs University of Colorado Boulder Inflation and younger crafters are sparking a renewed interest in ... Colorado Public Radio Where to try new hobbies in San Diego County in 2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune Meet Shelby, a 16-year-old who has lots of hobbies Arizona's Family 125 Best Hobbies For Women Parade Magazine Endangered Crafts and the Destinations Keeping Them Alive The New York Times Cobblestone Crafts listed for sale after four decades for $679K HollandSentinel.com 24 DIY activities for middle school students Teaching Expertise From Hot Air Balloons to Local Art, These Are the Top Hobby ... Northern Virginia Magazine How to Find a New Hobby | Chase Chase News & Stories Ellen DeGeneres crafts comeback with YouTube series The New Daily Hobby Lobby sued for disability discrimination after firing employee with service dog Business Insider Bored at home? Now’s the perfect time to pick up a new hobby CNN Underscored To Hobbies I Have Loved (and Lost) Before www.autostraddle.com Open class results-full Lusk Herald School teacher starts crafting and making earrings as a side hustle Business Insider Low-cost relaxing hobbies to take up this winter Metro.co.uk Justice Alito leaked SCOTUS contraception ruling in 2014: NYT Business Insider Fayetteville Future Black History Makers: Meet Mason The Fayetteville Observer Why Hobbies Are So Important in Retirement The Wall Street Journal Secretive Space Force unmanned craft lands after 2.5 years in orbit Business Insider Why pickleball has become so popular for VCs and founders Business Insider Don't turn your hobby into a side hustle The Japan Times Why the military is spotting more mysterious flying objects lately Business Insider Crafts & Hobbies City of Aurora Amityville Women's Club hold first meeting of 2022-23 club year Amityville Record 8 Queer Nerd Hobbies and How to Get Into Them www.autostraddle.com UAP shot down over Alaska 'interfered' with F-22 sensors: report Business Insider Crafting is my favorite hobby Newsday 9 creative workshops in Toronto for new hobbies & skills Shedoesthecity Thousands mistook a US research tool for the Chinese spy balloon Business Insider Shoplifter who attacked store owner with bear spray now free Kamloops This Week Hobby Lobby vs. Michaels: Which craft store is better? Business Insider It's OK Not To Have Hobbies HuffPost Normal hobbies? No thanks Mankato Free Press How Hobbies Infiltrated American Life The Atlantic Hobby Lobby, Michaels, or Joann: Which is the best craft store? Business Insider 20 Hobbies that Make Money Small Business Trends
|