Check out Gourdlandia's YouTube channel for gourd growing and crafting how-to's!
Come Make Something Beautiful!
Classes are by appointment, and happening most weekends. Choose a project from this list, then send a note with the form below. We'll set it up!
Looking for the special 3-day workshop happening in January? Scroll way down, it's here...
Gourd Globe Light
Transform an ordinary cannonball gourd into a sweet glowing light! You can make any design you choose, or copy one of mine. With the LED bulb (provided), your design will shine beautifully on nearby surfaces. Glass beads can be inserted into some of the holes for a little accent color. The finished light is about 4-6″ across. This class involves drilling lots and lots of little holes! It's a noisy, dusty, fun project, not suitable for people under age 14, or those who would have difficulty with repetitive motion. The project takes 3-4 hours. $70, includes all materials and hardware.
This class happens most weekends. Want to join? Just fill out the form below.
.jpg)
Night Light
Quick and easy and fun! You start with a gourd already cleaned and attached to a night light switch... all that's missing is the holes. That's where you come in. The tricky part is coming up with a design... but you can do it! This project takes 1-2 hours, and is available whenever Gourdlandia is open; no need to register (this class only). $40
.jpg)
Pierced Pendants
Make a hanging pendant lamp for your home! Starting with a 5-6 inch round gourd, you'll lay out your simple design, get a lesson on the tools, and then start drilling. This workshop is similar to the ever-popular "globe light" project. Noisy, dusty, and very fun! Not suitable for young people or those who would have difficulty with repetitive motion. The project takes about 5 hours. $80, includes hardware, LED bulb, and everything else!
This class happens often, and you're welcome to join. Just fill out the form below.
Box or Basket or Bowl
This is a good class for those who want a gourd-crafting primer. We'll start with a sturdy Martin House (pear-shaped) gourd, dried and cleaned already. We'll stain and wax, and open it up. Cutting is the tricky part... I'll show several ways that you can try, or I'll be happy to do that part for you. We'll clean the inside of the gourd; that can take some time and muscle! You can carve designs on your bowl or basket or box. There will not be time to sew a rim (like the pine needles pictured), but you can drill holes and sew a rim on later. It's an intense class, for those who want the whole gourding experience!
$80, includes all materials.
This class happens every few months; none currently scheduled.
SCHEDULE A CLASS
Use this form to contact me;
suggest a project and a date.
We'll make it happen!
What You Need to Know
I teach classes because I enjoy working with gourds so much! I hope you will too. Unless otherwise specified, classes take place at Gourdlandia, 77 Rachel Carson Way in Ithaca.
Materials are included in the fee. Please bring an apron or clothes that you don’t mind getting stained. I have extra dust masks, and eye protection, but please bring your own if you have them.
Most classes involve power tools and hot or sharp equipment, and are geared towards adults. Please contact me before registering a young person.
​
Currently, all classes are by appointment... contact me to set up yours! If you're coming by yourself, or with just a few people, we can make it happen during Gourdlandia's open hours. For private classes, groups of 6 or more, contact me and we'll find a good date. Either way, send me a note, we'll set it up!
​
Bring your buddies & some snacks. It's a party!
​
Sign up for the newsletter or follow Gourdlandia on Facebook to be notified of new classes.
Gourd Craft Immersion Workshop
January 26-28, 2026
Three days of gourd crafting! We’ll be doing so much… cleaning, staining, waxing, designing, cutting, carving, and having fun making art. This all-you-can-learn workshop at Gourdlandia is geared towards beginners or moderately experienced gourd crafters looking to get some new skills and ideas. The focus will be on tools and techniques, as opposed to finished products (although there will be lots of those!).
We’ll start daily at 9 am. At 5 pm we’ll spend some time sharing what we’ve learned virtually, for people who are unable to come and learn in person. This daily sharing is an important part of this workshop. There will be opportunities to have dinner together, and time in the evening to work on projects started earlier. Here’s the tentative plan….
Day 1: Bowl and Night Light
We’ll apply a water-based ink, and two-step wax finish to a large gourd. The bottom will become a bowl. We’ll talk about different possible rim treatments, and drill holes if you’d like to apply pine needles, beads, etc later. The top will become a night light with attached ears. We’ll use a dozen tools at least, just for that!
​
Day 2: Box and Pendant
In the morning, we’ll experiment with etching and dark line pyrography on small gourds or shards before designing and creating boxes. In the afternoon, we’ll create beautiful pendants with thousands of holes. This will be great practice for…
​
Day 3: Table Lamp
My very favorite thing to make! I plan to show you all of the tips and tricks. If we’re diligent, we can finish them in time to show off at our final virtual session, at the end of the day.
Details….
The cost of the three day workshop is $500.
The workshop is limited to 8 participants. If interested, please email me (graham.ottoson@gmail.com) with the following information.
-
Name
-
Email
-
Phone number
-
Address
-
A few sentences about your experience and interest in gourd crafting
-
Any questions you have about the workshop
I am arranging to provide inexpensive lodging nearby, in our community guest rooms (EcoVillage at Ithaca). In your email, please indicate whether you’d be interested in this lodging.
​
Applicants will be notified regarding acceptance by the end of November, and payment will be due at that time.
​
​
.jpg)