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(1) NEW GOURD CROP IS IN!
Saturday, March 6th, 2004 was Opening Day at the Welburn Gourd Farm! This was the first day the new crop of gourds was made available to the public, and now it's your chance to get gourds in every imaginable shape and size! For directions to the farm, click here!

(2) PLACE YOUR NEW CROP ORDER NOW!
Can't make it to the farm? Mail order customers, place your order now for the new crop! All shapes and sizes in stock! To place your order, call toll free: (877) 420-2613. Or visit the Shop section of our web site. Click Here!

(3) BUTTERFLY GOURD BOWL CLASS - SATURDAY, MARCH 20th
Register now for the Butterfly Gourd Bowl with Carrie Dearing! Learn how to relief carve around a beautiful butterfly design to create a Springtime masterpiece! Register Now!

(4) BEGINNING GOURD CRAFTING CLASS - SATURDAY, MARCH 27th
Register now for the Beginning Gourd Crafting with Dianne Connelly! Learn basic and intermediate techniques to get you started in gourd crafting! Register Now!

(4) ANIMAL MASK CLASS - SATURDAY, MARCH 27th
Register now for the Animal Mask class with Merilou Jenkins! This fun class will teach you techniques that you can apply to other works of gourd art. And you will leave the class with a gourd masterpiece! Register Now!

(5) STOCK UP ON GOURD CRAFTING SUPPLIES!
The 2004 gourd crop is in! Stock up on all of your gourd crafting supplies! And California Gourds is the one-stop shop for all of the latest tools, dyes, pastes, and books. If you've been putting off getting that Detail Master, now is the perfect time to treat yourself so you'll be ready when the gourds are! Order Now!

(6)FESTIVAL DEADLINE FOR FINAL JURY SELECTION - MARCH 11th
Last chance to get into the 8th Annual International Gourd Art Festival on June 26 & 27, 2004! Applications are available online at www.GourdFestival.com. Please note that applications will not be mass mailed. With the second jury process complete, there are a limited number of spaces! Get your application in today! Click Here.

(7)CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR?
Send us an e-mail and let us know what your gourding needs are! Your suggestions could be the next great deal on pre-boxed gourds! Your needs are our business!
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(8)ADDRESS BOOK UPDATE
It's time to update your address books with the e-mails for Welburn Gourd Farm and California Gourds! To get information on Custom Orders or to contact Welburn Gourd Farm directly, send e-mails to sales@cagourds.com. To give product suggestions, inquire about an online or phone order (other than Custom Orders) or to contact California Gourds directly please send e-mails to sales@californiagourds.com.

(9)HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU BETTER?
California Gourds is dedicated to bringing you the best gourds, products and service possible! Please let us know how we can serve you better. What would you like to see changed or improved on: web site? newsletter? products or services? Send us an e-mail!

Get Wild on Gourds!

by Patti Diaz

Opening Day of the new crop is my favorite time of year! There is a chill in the air, the sun is shining, and best of all the gourds are ready! For the last few weeks, I have had the priviledge of looking over the various shapes of gourds coming in from the fields. And I can tell you with much excitement that this is one of the best crops that Doug Welburn and his field crew have ever grown! These gourds are fantastic in their shapes, coloration, and thickness!

In my opinion, the best gourds of all are the one-of-a-kinders. You know, the ones that not only talk to you but scream that they want to be made into something fabulous! Each year Sue Welburn and I actually have a little "competition" to see who can find the wildest shapes of the crop. The ones that would set on fire that creativity energy within most any artist.

These two gourds grew together, and gourd artist, Pat Boyd was inspired to make them into "Best Friends".

This fabulous sculpture was created by Lillian Hopkins, who saw more than just a twisted shape.

Many shapes are out of the norm and really fun to find! They have the potential of gourd art greatness! It is all about your willingness to take on the challenge of your imagination. I was once told by a gourd artist that "gourds are a journey", and the trick to using inspirational gourds (and gourds, in general) is to not be afraid to work with them. Maybe you have heard the expression, "With gourds, you are only limited by your imagination". If you make a "mistake", take it as another opportunity to expand your creativity and let your imagination take over the design of your art piece.

These "Couples" candlesticks are truly a beautiful expression of gourd art created by Sherry Winters.

Simple designs also make stunning works of gourd art. Using a gourd stand, Mary Segreto created this beautiful piece.

With the new crop, always comes the best selection of unique and inspiring gourds. However, they are always in limited quanities and don't conform to the categories of the traditional shapes offered. Usually you would have to come to the farm and search through thousands of gourds to find them. To make it easier for you, we've brought back the new and improved Inspiration Special! Now for a limited time, you have the terrific opportunity to order some of these unique and rare shapes by the box! Last year these fantastic gourds sold out quickly! And from the looks of it, this year they will sell out again! Be sure to get yours before they are gone! Order your Inspiration Special now! And let your imagination flow and get wild on gourds!

If you have an article submission for The Gourdzette, we would love to hear from you! Please send article or idea for an article to editor@gourdzette.com.

Gourd People Unite!

Did you know that there are societies of gourders out there? Quite possibly in your own state! There is even the American Gourd Society banning together all of the state gourd societies. AND there are even local clubs called Gourd Patches! These groups are what make up the structure of the gourd world. They provide gourd information, education, and social opportunities for their gourd members. And they are always reaching out to the communities in fun ways to bring gourds into the mainstream of the art world.

So, if you are looking for other gourders to commingle or for more information on where to find gourd information, visit the American Gourd Society web site. They are a terrific resource for gourd growing, gourd seeds, gourd societies, etc. And if you have yet to join a gourd society, find your state group and unite with other gourders!

Happy Gourding!

March 11, 2004 - Final jury deadline for all exhibitor applications to the 8th Annual International Gourd Art Festival. Mail in your application today! Click here.

March 20, 2004 - Butterfly Gourd Bowl Class with Carrie Dearing at the Welburn Gourd Farm. Register now!

March 27, 2004 - Beginning Gourd Crafting Class with Dianne Connelly at the Welburn Gourd Farm. Register now!

March 27, 2004 - Animal Mask Class with Merilou Jenkins at the Welburn Gourd Farm. Register now!

April 2-4, 2004- Indiana Gourd Society Show in Kokomo, Indiana

April 10-11, 2004 - Georgia Gourd Society Show in Albany, Georgia. For more info, click here.

April 17, 2004 - "It's a Gourd Day" in Elkton, Maryland -- This will be an educational day for “gourding” with vendors and classes at a wonderful facility – Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area. For more details, click here.

April 16, 17, 18, 2004 - Gourd College, Asilomar, California. The California Gourd Society will once again hold its members conference at the picturesque Asilomar conference facility near Monterey, California. For more information, click here.

April 23-25, 2004 - Show Me Gourd Society Festival at the State Fairgrounds in Sedalia MO. The Festival is on Saturday and Sunday with additional workshops on Friday. For more details, click here.

May 7-9, 2004 - The 1st Annual South Carolina Gourd Gathering in Santee SC. For more info, click here.

May 14-16, 2004 - Kentucky Gourd Show

May 21-23, 2004 - The second Gourd Artists Gathering in Cherokee, North Carolina. For more info, click here.

June 5, 2004 - a Great Gourd Gathering at the Condill Farm in Arthur, IL. For details about attending or participating, contact Carolyn Ferdinand at 618-457-7616 or TedFred@aol.com

June 26th - 27th, 2004 - 8th Annual International Gourd Art Festival at the Welburn Gourd Farm. Applications and more information available online at www.GourdFestival.com

Now with this newsletter update, you can keep informed of the exciting happenings of the annual International Gourd Art Festival, held every June at the Welburn Gourd Farm, the October Gourd and Pumpkin Fest, held every October at the farm, and any shows where you can find dried, craft-ready Welburn gourds.

International Gourd Art Festival
Next show - June 26 & 27, 2004

Gourd Art by Carrie Dearing. Carrie is one of the newly selected exhibitors for this year's festival!

Call for Gourd Artists, Suppliers, Food Vendors, and Sponsors! Applications for the 8th Annual International Gourd Art Festival are available now! Last chance to be in the show! The 2nd jury process is complete! And the final jury deadline is coming up fast! There are a very limited number of booth spaces this year. Go to GourdFestival.com and print off your copy today! Mail your completed application and meet the jury's next review deadline March 11, 2004!