Gourd Crafting workshop

[BarbaraRose]

Went to my gourd crafting class today. It was 75 and sunny so was a great day for a road trip! The drive there was gorgeous! Drove up thru the mountains (hills they call them here), under overhanging oak trees, around lots of curves with views of orange groves and alongside creeks. Saw some animals along the way too.
The class was a lot of fun! The first part was a demonstration and explanation of the different techniques, products and tools that are used. The second part was actually working on a gourd project! It is a Christmas bowl and it was so fun to make! I can't wait til I have more money so I can get some of the tools and start working on more projects! It wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be. The instructor makes over $100,000 per year making and selling her gourds, and she does that part-time while working another full-time job! I may have found my niche!

Here are some photos of my day...
Some fall colors...


some palm trees...


these look like mountains to me!


roadside waterfall...






A couple of goats...


a llama...


a goat up close...


a donkey...


oranges I think, or maybe pomogranites...


fall colors in the valley...


not sure what kind of trees these are...


Live Oak Park in Fallbrook...


dried up creek...


holes worn in stone where Indian women ground grains...


fox statue on a rock...


Welburn Gourd Farm...


thousands of gourds to choose from...


here's some still drying out in the fields...


and the finished product! A Christmas bowl!


here it is with the lid taken off...

[bikerchic777]

Looks like that is still a nice area Great photos! Good job on the gourd Put it on your station at work and maybe you will get some business!

[VickieP]

Great picture of the scenery and you did a wonderful job on the gourd! My Dad and his woman went to a gourd festival in Tx last month, I think it was and got some pics of beautiful detailed carved ones.

[BarbaraRose]

I still have to spray it with laquer to make it all shiney. May use some glitter spray first.

There was one gourd in the gift shop that was painted like a pink flamingo. It was beautiful! Another one was done like a peacock and they had real peacock feathers sticking out the top of it. Really cool!

[Forestgal]

I think your fruit trees were persimmon. The leaves are too "grey" for oranges and pomegranites are much redder.

Laura

[Liz]

Great pictures and your Christmas bowl is lovely.

[avalen]

I loved the pictures, someday when I get a little gas money I'll drive out
and visit, your not that far from me.
I would agree with Laura, persimmons. They are the right color and size for
persimmons.

[Echo]

Loved the pics, that was a pretty drive for you. The one pic of the road and grassy bank could be a calendar picture!

Super neat Christmas Bowl!!! I wouldn't mind trying something like that. I think it would be lots of fun.

[OutandAbout]

Barbie, really nice job on the bowl. I knew you would get hooked on gourds. Now you'll start thinking of all the possibilities, and there are many. That's definitely the farm I went to 4 or so years ago. My first look at all those gourds was heaven. You can really get any shape gourd for your imagined project. The most fun is picking your own. Linda

[VickieP]

Here's a slide show of some really neat ones. Very talented people!

http://gourdartenthusiasts.ning.com/pho ... /slideshow

[Redetotry]

Great job on the gourd Barbie. Thanks for the pictures looks like a great day.
Vickie thanks for the link who knew there were so many things to make from gourds, people are really creative.

[BarbaraRose]

Those were really beautiful. Thanks Mitch! Very inspiring!

(What the heck is a persimmon???)

[VickieP]

................................................................................chopped liver---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->>>

[mitch5252]

................................................................................chopped liver---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------->>>

No, ya doofus...a persimmon is NOT chopped liver. YOU ARE! Duh.

..

[VickieP]

No, ya doofus...a persimmon is NOT chopped liver. YOU ARE! Duh.

..

I know I'm chopped liver....You're the smart one....people just don't give me credit.