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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 nostalgic crafts that are making a comeback Yahoo Canada Shine On Thurston County Fair accepting entries for foods, art, hobbies and crafts Centralia Chronicle 10 Crafty Hobbies to Get Creative with This Summer The Everygirl Thurston County Fair invites foods, hobbies, arts and crafts enthusiasts to submit their entries The JOLT - The Journal of Olympia Lacey & Tumwater Dan's Crafts & Things celebrates 50 years in business foxrochester.com Gallery: AAA Hobbies and Crafts opened in 1984 Courier Post Halifax hobby shop says its closing after 78 years in business CTV News Atlantic Popularity of diy and arts & crafts as a hobby in the U.S. 2022-2024 as of June 2024, by quarter Statista A massive hobby and toy party is happening in South Jersey this weekend The Philadelphia Inquirer The Benefits of Gentler Hobbies Next Avenue Crafts retailer Joann files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as consumers cut back on pandemic-era hobbies The Macomb Daily Jewish-owned hobby shop to host free summer event Jewish Community Voice 6 Craft Hobbies Everyone's Talking About In 2024 Country Living UK Having a hobby tied to happiness and well-being Harvard Health What's the secret to this Camden County hobby and craft store's success for 40 years? - Courier Post New restaurant and new crafts store planned for Bradenton shopping center development Bradenton Herald One Tank Trips | AdhDiy Craft Cafe KSHB 41 Kansas City News 12 Stores Like Hobby Lobby for Crafts and Home Decor Apartment Therapy Joann fabric and hobby stores enter bankruptcy; post-pandemic craft decline cited - The Mercury News 8 Craft Hobbies Set To Be Popular This Autumn And Winter Country Living UK Q: “How Can I Keep My Many, Many, Many Hobby Supplies Organized?” ADDitude magazine Metal, Fire, ‘Hitting Stuff Hard’: Everybody Wants to Be a Blacksmith Now The New York Times 78-year-old hobby shop in Halifax closing its doors CTV News Atlantic These are the 20 most relaxing hobbies, according to a new study Country Living UK From Hobby to Hustle: Turning Soap and Candle Making into a Six-Figure Business with Makesy Markets Insider Metro Library to host Craft Fest at the Downtown OKC Library Jan. 27 Oklahoma City Free Press An A to Z guide of every craft you can try your hand at Country Living UK Crafts retailer Joann files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy as consumers cut back on pandemic-era hobbies Omaha World-Herald New Year's resolutions - places to go to fine new hobbies around Ashland Ashland Times Gazette 7 Creative Hobbies to Take Up in the New Year Martha Stewart 10 Comprehensive Hobby Books For Mom Early Bird Books There Is Such Thing As Hobby Burnout—Here’s How To Rediscover the Joy in Your Favorite Pastime Well+Good Rug Tufting: An Old Craft That's New Again Next Avenue Pick up a new hobby in 2024 with these deals on craft kits, Classpass, pickleball sets, and more Mashable Six Independent Craft Stores to Visit in and around Boston Boston magazine Meet Mike Larisey, owner of Maritime Hobbies & Crafts Ltd Downtown Halifax Hobbies & Crafts (Reviews) Business Insider Cobblestone Crafts listed for sale after four decades for $679K HollandSentinel.com OPINION: A love letter to arts and crafts Indiana Daily Student 8 new hobbies to try in the St. Louis area Ladue News Best Printer for Crafting 2024: Arts & Crafts Has Never Been Easier PC Guide - For The Latest PC Hardware & Tech News 10 slow living hobbies that lean into a calmer rhythm Country Living UK Movies About People Passionate About Their Craft & Hobby FILM COMPANION Katie McAllister has a multitude of hobbies that all correlate to crafts The Central Trend 7 Unexpected Ways My Paper Collection Is My New Favorite Hobby Getting Me Through the Pandemic Apartment Therapy 4 craft hobbies surging in popularity this summer Country Living UK Yo! Easter offers skills, sports and hobbies for everyone Wolverhampton City Council Bored at home? Now’s the perfect time to pick up a new hobby CNN Underscored West Virginia Hobbies & Crafts: A 25-year success story Huntington Herald Dispatch 11 places in L.A. to get your creativity flowing. Pottery! Neon bending! Bookbinding! Los Angeles Times KreaDoe art, craft and hobbies fair IamExpat in the Netherlands Endangered Crafts and the Destinations Keeping Them Alive (Published 2019) The New York Times Handicrafts and hobby store giant Milbby to open its first branch in the province on the Costa del Sol Surinenglish.com Business Q&A: Thompson’s Hobbies and Crafts, Lakewood The Denver Post Lost trades: The industrial origins of crafts and hobbies National Science and Media Museum Hobby Lobby vs. Michaels: Which craft store is better? Business Insider Get your crochet hooks, paintbrushes, scrapbooks, and creativity ready: Hobby Lobby opens soon Progress Index Business Intel: Salem Hobby Shop Roanoke Times
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