The Free Seed Giveaway ends 3/31/24.... get your envelope to me before that date! Click HERE for details.
SCHEDULE A CLASS
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Use this form to contact me; propose a project and a date. We'll make it happen!
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See class options below.
Choose Your Project:
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 about 4 hours. $60, includes all materials and hardware.
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
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Curlicue Keepsake Box
​We'll start with a nice thick gourd, and give it a stain and wax finish. We'll practice carving curves and swirls on scraps, and then carve the spiral design into our gourds. I'll saw along the lid line, and then you can clean the gourd innards out, and make the insides smooth. Add a knob, and voilà! A sweet box to keep something fine in. $50, includes all materials.
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
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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! It takes approximately an hour. $30
This project is available whenever Gourdlandia is open.
No need to register, however, calling before you come is a good idea.
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Pierced Pendants
Make a hanging pendant lamp for your home! Starting with a 5-6 inch round gourd, we'll stain and wax, layout a simple mandala-type design, 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. $65, includes hardware, LED bulb, and everything else!
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
Gourd Bowl with Pine Needle Rim
This elegant bowl is a classic! Starting with a raw gourd, participants will stain and wax, use hand or power saws to open it, scrape the "gourd guts", and drill holes for the rim. The last step is to sew the pine needles in place. Takes 3-4 hours. Fun and satisfying! $45, includes all materials.
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
Gourd Basket
A great class for learning gourd-crafting basics! Start with a Martin House gourd, stain and wax, saw and scrape, rasp and shape. Use a burner and/or carving bur to embellish with a design, if desired. Participants will leave with a beautiful functional finished basket! $40
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
All You Can Learn
For the budding gourd artist: I'll teach you as much as I can for as long as you're willing! This is your time; focus on whatever you like: carving, sawing, finishing, design, pyrography, or a little bit of everything. Experiment with different rotary tools, ask about sources for supplies... I want to share what I've learned! $15/hour. Contact me to set up a time.
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.
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If you have to cancel more than 24 hours before the class, I’ll be glad to issue a refund.
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I'm very happy to teach private classes! In fact, that's how it works best these days. Get a group together, or come by yourself, and I'll make something with you! See the list of classes below... $5 discount per person for a group of 6 or more.
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Bring your buddies & some snacks. It's a party!
Private or Group Classes
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Sign up for the newsletter or follow Gourdlandia on Facebook to be notified of new classes.
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Carved & Colored Box
We'll start with a nice thick gourd, and use rotary tools with carving burrs to create the design. Different colors of ink are applied, and then a wax coat. The instructor will cut the gourd open. Clean out the gourd guts, add a little wooden ball for the knob (or just use the stem), and you'll have a lovely box good for all kinds of things. Another noisy dusty fun project! Takes 4 hours, plus or minus. $50, includes materials.
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
Stupendous Pendants
We'll turn a simple round gourd into a lovely pendant lamp! Participants will stain, wax, layout, drill and cut openings, and apply paper. The trick is using a small electric saw and power drill to make the openings; you'll have plenty of chance to practice! Choose from three simple designs. Wiring will be done ahead and demonstrated.
This is an intermediate-to-advanced level workshop; the project takes 4-5 hours to complete. Please bring a power drill if you have one. All materials (gourd, lamp hardware, LED bulb) are provided. $65
Not currently scheduled. Check back, or call to set up a private class.
Gourd Jewelry
Turn gourd scraps into unique and beautiful earrings! It's quick and fun, and you get to use carving and burning tools. How many pairs can you make in two hours? Or maybe a matching necklace? All materials provided. $25
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
Gourd Clock
We'll use a fun wax resist technique, like batik, to create a clock from a martin house gourd. I'll prepare the gourd ahead (cutting and cleaning), then you'll design, burn, apply wax, and stain it. The big moment comes when you melt the wax off to reveal your beautiful work! These clocks are great... I have a couple in the shop. Quiet and accurate. $55
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
Irresistible Wax Resist
I love this technique... so many steps, all of them engaging. We'll design, burn, wax, stain, and then melt the wax. It's like batik, but on a gourd! I'll cut your gourd open precisely along the curved line. Final step is to scrape the inside clean. You'll leave with a vessel suitable for storing socks or chocolate (but not together). $45
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
Burn Burn Burn
Pyrography is the focus of this workshop; a study of different burning techniques. We'll make a small sampler. Come prepared to explore what you can do with a wire nib burner! I'm not an expert, but I've learned a thing or two, and I have several burners you can play with. $30
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
Tambourine Bowl
Much more a bowl than a musical instrument, but it does make a nice gentle rattle. Start with a gourd that's cut and cleaned already. Stain it, wax it, drill holes for the wire. Then use the secret wire-twisting technique to make lovely loops adorned with beads. I'll have several wire colors and beads to choose from. $45
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.
One Fine Bowl
The design is in the beads! Start with a gourd already cut and cleaned. After staining and waxing, we'll lay out the design (as pictured). Drill holes, and choose from four different styles... one has no beads at all. Participants will leave with a bowl well underway, and plenty of materials and know-how to finish easily at home. $50
Not currently scheduled... check back, or set up a private class.