Save the Date - 2026 Gourd Festival - October 23-25, 2026
A Self-Portrait in Found Objects
F-PM-1
Deborah Hildinger
Every object tells a story. In this inspiring workshop, you'll create your own one-of-a-kind assemblage using objects that reflect your personality, memories, passions, and the people and experiences that have shaped your life. Your finished piece will be a personal keepsake filled with meaning and creativity.
I'll provide a vintage cigar box (approximately 6.5" x 8") along with a variety of natural materials, found objects, and embellishments to spark your imagination. I also encourage you to bring small, meaningful items from home‚ special mementos, trinkets, shells, buttons, keys, photos, or other treasures to make your box uniquely yours.
As part of the class, I'll demonstrate how to apply copper, gold, and variegated metal leaf, one of my favorite techniques for adding warmth, richness, and a touch of elegance. You'll discover how these finishes can transform ordinary objects into something extraordinary.
No previous assemblage experience is necessary. Whether you're an experienced artist or simply looking for a meaningful creative experience, you'll leave with a finished piece of art that tells your story. Something beautiful to display, treasure, and perhaps even pass down for years to come.
Cost: Member: $55.00 Nonmember: $60.00
Time: Friday 1:00-5:00
Min: 4
Max: 12
Student Level: All
Materials brought to class should fit inside an approximately 6.5 x 8-inch cigar box, though box sizes may vary slightly. If you'd like to add items to the top of your box, please choose pieces carefully so they fit well. I often use jewelry gourds, and gourd shards. I will bring an assortment to share. Large beads or similar decorative items are also great options to bring.
"Twigy the Snowman"
F-PM-2 AND S-AM- 2
Laurie Weiand
You will learn how to build Twigy from the ground up. From the snowflake base to his top hat, you will create all the special details needed to build this tall snowman that measures around 2 feet high. Special note* For this class there will be 2 different day/sessions to complete him.
Cost: Member: $90.00 Nonmember: $95.00
Friday 1:00-5:00 AND Saturday 9:00-12:00
Min: 4
Max: 12
Skill Level: All
Students Must Bring: Heat gun, glue gun, rubber gloves
Sunburst Luminary
F-PM-3
DEB WHITE
Create a beautiful and functional luminary gourd with a sunburst design (LED lamp insert provided). Students will learn how to:
Transfer the provided design.
Woodburn the outline of the design.
Use a power micro-carver to etch the outer edge of the design, remove the gourd skin and create a filigree pattern.
Use a cordless drill to create a pleasing pattern for the light to shine through.
Have you wanted to take a carving class but didn’t have the equipment? No worries, the instructor will have four brand new micro-carvers and variable-temp wood burners (including all the required accessories) available for a nominal rental fee (must be reserved on a first come, first served basis).
Cost: Member: $60.00 Nonmember: $65.00
Friday 1:00-5:00
Min: 3
Max: 8
Skill Level: All
Students Must Bring: Wood burner, Skew Tip pen, Carver and bits, Drill, Heat tool, Dust Mask, Eye Protection, Hearing Protection. (Carvers and Wood burners with accessories available for rent at $10/unit)
Oriental Rice Bowl
F-PM-4
Donna M Mccarthy
This decorative rice bowl is created from a martin gourd. Wooden chopsticks are attached to the rim using a criss-cross pattern using waxed thread with decorative beads dangling from the rim. Woodburned rims encircle the bowl in 5 places. The center band can be decorated in any color of your choosing and enhanced with oriental designs, Chinese coins and beads.
A selection of colorful chopsticks will be available to choose from along with coins and beads.
Cost: Member: $60.00- Nonmember: $65.00
Friday 1:00-5:00
Min: 3
Max: 10
Skill Level: All
Students Must Bring: Adjustable woodburner with skew
Dip dot into Halloween
F-PM-5
Diane Ricker
A happy little cannon ball jazzed up with some ghosts, pumpkins, candy corn, skulls and lots of dippy-dots in Great Halloween colors
Cost: Member: $30.00 Nonmember: $35.00
Friday 1:00-5:00
Min: 1
Max: 12
Skill Level: All
Students Must Bring: Any stylus you have, a 5/0 liner brush is an absolute must
Roped and Tissued
F-PM-6
Lisa Mohr
In this class you will color your gourd with leather dyes, apply a rope rim then decorate it with pieces of tissue paper. Instructor will have a number of colors of dyes and ropes to choose from plus numerous designs to apply.
Cost: Member: $55.00 Nonmember: $60.00
Friday 1:00-5:00
Min: 4
Max: 12
Skill Level: All
Students Must Bring: Apron and heat gun
chip carving 101
F-PM-7
Anna Fountain
You will learn how to make stop cut and gouge sweep consistant and even and do the rim with a gouge sweep. You will complete you bowl in class by painting your bowl giving it a wood look.
Cost: Member: $60.00. Nonmember: $65.00
Time: Friday 1:00-5:00
Min: 1
Max: 10
Skill Level: All
Student Should Bring: apron
"1000-Watt Smile"
F-PM-8
Leslie Meier
Have you ever wondered how to give your creation a smile with a big, toothy, grin? In this class, students will learn one of the many ways to create a megawatt smile for their halloween tealight (actually, only 0.06-watt, but who's counting!?) This class uses multimedia to construct and sculpt your gourd light with a face only a mother could love! *Gourds will be pre-cut for students
Cost: Member: $50.00. Nonmember: $55.00
Min:1
Max: 6
Skill Level: all levels of experience
All materials provided by instructor
Tenerife Bowl
F-PM-9
Donna Pulley
Use a kettle gourd to create a unique Tenerife design. Includes carving and cutting filigree holes to accent your creation
Cost: Member: $55.00. Nonmember: 60.00
Time: Friday 1:00-5:00
Min: 6
Max: 12
Skill Level: All
Student Must Bring: Carver and filigree filipoint burr or zip bit, drill and bits, apron, mask, heat gun