"The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something
we do not understand."
- Frank Herbert
(1920 - 1986)
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Order the fabulous Bargain Box
and get an unbelievable deal on gourds! With this pre-boxed
special, you can save up to 75%
off the regular retail price!!
Supplies are limited, so order your Bargain Box special
now! Click
here!
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gourd basket. Click
here!
(Pictured Left: Ivy Leaf Gourd Basket
by Marcie Evans)
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The Gourdzette
is proudly brought to you by CALIFORNIA GOURDS!
To visit the California Gourds website, please use www.californiagourds.com
SPECIAL
ANNOUNCEMENTS
(1) GOURD CAMP - An Adult
Gourd Vacation Value Like No Other! Gourd Camp is happening, and
here are a few details. Leigh Adams (former Calif. Gourd Society
President), Betty Finch, and Kemper Stone will be the official
visionaries and instructors. The program will be a blend of formal
and informal instruction, open studios, show and tell, and also
traditional camp activites unrelated to gourds - campfires, tennis,
swimming, hiking, sailing, dancing, concerts. All meals are included.
Sufficient gourds, tools, paints, dyes, and other materials and
tools will be provided. The highest purpose of this camp is to
welcome, accommodate, transport and convert abject beginners.
Cost for the week is $725. It runs from Aug 27th to Sept 3rd at
Camp Gold, Lair of the Golden Bear, Pinecrest, Calif. For complete
information and to register, contact Kemper Stone at kemperstone@yahoo.com.
(2) NEW PRODUCTS JUST LISTED!!! Check out the latest products just added to the California
Gourds catalog! From an ultra-lightweight power carver to new
gourd shapes to a super impressive healing device for your aches
and pains! What would a healing device be doing in a gourd supply
shop, you ask? Have you ever spent hours working on your gourds
only to stop because your back is aching? Or maybe you are one
of those artists who have spent so many years using your hands
and now have a bit of arthritis that gnaws at your crafting time.
The BioMat Professional is so effective at relieving pain and
healing ailments through continued use that you could actually
get back to crafting sooner and longer. It is safe and easy to
use! AND some insurances actually cover it! But don't take our
word on it. Check out all the great new products for yourself!
Click
Here!
(3) THE GOURD CLASSIFIEDS & PERSONALS!
- NEW! Connect with other gourders, sell your wares, seek out
gourd items...all in The Gourd Classifieds! What
a great way to get hooked up with gourd people like yourself!
Find new and used items to use on your artwork! Whether you are
looking for a great deal, selling or trading your gourd extras,
or looking for the next gourd connection, The Gourd
Classifieds are the next best way to getting what
you want! To view all of the ads or to find out how to place an
ad yourself, visit The Gourd Classifieds
at www.gourdzette.com/gourdclassifieds.html!
(4) WE LOVE FEEDBACK! Check out our new website and let us know what you think!
If you are one of the many, many people who have ordered Magic
Sculpt from us recently, please let us know what your thoughts
are! Whatever the subject, we would love your feedback! E-mail
us at editor@gourdzette.com!
(5) PHONE NUMBER UPDATE
Please update your phone books for California Gourds. Our new
number is (951) 639-3681 . Thank you! We appreciate your loyalty
and continued patronage!
FEATURE
ARTICLE
Gourd
Enameling by Judy Cunningham
Photos by Larry Cunningham
Materials:
Gourd
Embossing pen (any color; prefer Emboss Dual Pen II found in
rubber stamp supply stores)
Gesso or acrylic paint (any color; prefer white)
1 small, 1 medium paint brush
Soft lead pencil or marking pen
Ultra-thick embossing powder (prefer Suze Weinberg's in gold,
platinum and bronze; found in rubber stamp supply stores)
Spray glaze (non-yellowing; prefer FolkArt Clearcote #787)
Electric heating gun (prefer Marvey; must reach to 650 degrees
F; found in craft supply stores)
Procedure:
1. Select any size or shape gourd.
2. Make sure the gourd is clean and smooth.
3. Draw in the areas you will want to enamel with the pencil
or marking pen.
4. Brush on the acrylic or gesso in the areas you want to enamel.
It is best to put down a fairly thick coat. This will act as
a base coat and sealer to hold the enamel.
5. Begin using the embossing pen a section at a time (6-8 inches
is good). This will help prevent premature drying.
6. Sprinkle the ultra-thick embossing powder onto the wet surface.
Be generous with the powder. Shake the gourd to loosen any extra
powder. If some of the embossing powder has spilled over into
another area, use the medium brush to brush the particles away.
7.
Hold the heating gun 2-3" directly above the area you want
to enamel. This process heats up the embossing powder into a
liquid state. If you hold the heating gun on one area for too
long, bubbles may appear or the liquid powder will spread too
thin. It takes only a few seconds to bring the embossing powder
to a liquid state.
8.
The outcome should be a semi-smooth, glassy surface. A second
coat may be desired. The area that is heated will harden
quickly and will remain hot for a minute or so. If you accidentally
put a fingerprint or mark into it, just re-heat the area until
the marks disappear. If you want to speed up the cooling and
hardening process, use the cool setting on a hand held hair
dryer.
When
the enameling process is completed and the rest of the gourd
is ready, spray a light coat of non-yellowing craft spray over
the entire gourd. The spray gives the gourd a nice sheen and
helps protect the enameled areas. Note: If you wish to blend several embossing
powders together, place different powders side by side and practice
with the heating gun for interesting effects. Note: When experimenting with other embossing
powders, I have found that when working with thinner powders,
they tend to peel away.
Note: When doing a combination of pyrography,
enameling and dyeing on the gourd, the best order of working
is: 1) Base coat the areas to be enameled; 2) Pyrography; 3)
Dye; 4) Enameling process; 5) Spray. Note: For a glaze effect, use any color paint
as a base coat; over the base coat put Suze Weinberg's clear
untra thick embossing enamel the same way you would apply the
other ultra-thick embossing powders. (The Eagle's Head). Note: While the embossing powder is in a liquid
state, try imprinting a rubber stamp into it. As it cools, the
rubber stamp will pop out! Note: If the surface tends to oxidize, use
RUB 'N' BUFF in gold and silver leaf by AMACO; Copper color
is by Treasure Gold. If anyone comes up with other ways to use
these techniques, please let me know. Would love to see any
photos of your projects. My e-mail is LARR2000@YNN.com
Happy Enameling!!
About the Author: Judy is the Show Coordinator
for the Calabash Club of Silicon Valley. Her background is 20
years of painting in acrylics and specializing in Native American
themes. Since she makes all of her own greeting cards and uses
rubber stamp techniques, she soon realized that she could apply
these same techniques to gourd art.
THE GOURD CLASSIFIEDS
Buy, Sell, and Trade your gourd tools, supplies, fetishes, embellishments,
and more in The
Gourd Classifieds! Clean up your studio and
get rid of those gourd items you no longer need! Place your "FOR
SALE" ads in The Gourd Classifieds
and get two lines of text plus a bold title for just $15.00*.
"FOR TRADE" & "WANTED"
ads are FREE! All ads will be viewed on the web
by thousands of other gourders for 14 days. PLUS your ad will
run in one issue of the widely viewed newsletter, The
Gourdzette, the longest running online newsletter
for the gourd community. To place your ad, contact Patti at editor@gourdzette.com
or call (951) 639-3681. To view all current ads, go to The
Gourd Classifieds on The
Gourdzette
website or just click
here!
*Each additional line or partial line is $5.00 per line.
FOR SALE
Hot Tool
- barely used by novice. Great condition. $25.00. Email
Lorenzo at lorenzo@cagourds.com or call (951) 639-3681. SOLD IN
1 DAY!!!
Folding Tables
- two 6 ft. $30 each and three 4 ft. $25 each. Some stains.
Contact Lorenzo at lorenzo@cagourds.com or (951) 639-3681. SOLD IN 1 DAY!!!
Folding Chairs
- ten ivory chairs. Great condition. Buy one or all ten. $15
each. Lorenzo at lorenzo@cagourds.com or (951) 639-3681. SOLD IN
1 DAY!!!
Glass e beads 100 @$1.25,
semi precious stone 13 piece fans/ collars $2.25 each,
32-36 inch long semiprecious stone chip strands $2.75
each, 1/2 to 3/4 inch stone fetishes 75 cents each, 14
inch strands hemitite 6m/m beads $1.75 each, Many other
products very reasonable call THE PALM 559 592 3315.
Just
added "Personals"!!! Place your ad in
the Personals and
find other gourders like yourself to share your time with! You
choose how long you wish to have your ad run on the web, viewed
by thousands of other gourders! PLUS your ad will run in one issue
of the widely viewed newsletter, The Gourdzette.
Who knows you might meet Mr or Mrs Gourd Right! Or create your
own little gourd patch! Click
Here for Pricing!
PERSONALS
Wanted
one good man, between age of
58-75. who likes working on gourds, easy going, sincere, conversationalist,
likes to travel, fun to be with, must be humorous, who loves
the Lord, but not a Bible Thumper, financially secure, and
possibly willing to relocate to West Texas. Fun, smart, sincere,
attractive lady, waiting to hear from you in Texas. To correspond
with me, email me at Sandy_lubbocktx@sbcglobal.net
For questions regarding The Gourdzette or The Gourd
Classifieds, please contact us via email at editor@gourdzette.com
or call (951) 639-3681.
The Gourd Classifieds are copyrighted
and the sole property of California Gourds.
CALENDAR
OF EVENTS
FREE ADVERTISING
FOR YOUR GOURD CLASS OR EVENTS Email us with your gourd art classes and your gourd events,
and we will add them to our Calendar of Events for free! The Calendar
of Events is posted on every full issue of The Gourdzette.
Let other gourders know what's going on in the gourd world! Let's
get more people hooked on gourds! Email our Editor at editor@gourdzette.com.
************************************************
July 15-16, 2006 - Georgia Gourd
Show - in Newnan (near Atlanta). For more info, click
here.
July 21-22, 2006 - Pennsylvania
Gourd Fest 2006 “Gourds in Paradise” held Friday and
Saturday at the Paradise Community Center in Paradise Township,
Lancaster County, PA. In the Heart of PA Amish Country. There
will be classes, free demos and a competition. For more info,
visit www.pagourdsociety.org
August 2-13, 2006 - 2006 Ohio State
Fair Show for Gourds. Ohio Exposition Center, DiSalles Arts and
Crafts Building, Columbus OH. Contact: Terry & Marilyn Sipple
- email:tvmosipple@koakonnect.com
August 26-27, 2006 - Eighth Annual
Sandlady's Gourd Art Festival Saturday: 9am-4pm, Sunday: 9am-3pm
- 10295 N 700 W, Tangier, IN. Free admission & parking, tour
a "real" gourd farm, collection of gourd art, demonstrations
and workshops, vendors (tools, supplies, art), Thousands of dried
gourds for sale. For more info, click
here.
August 27-September 3, 2006 - Gourd
Camp at Camp Gold, Lair of the Golden Bear, Pinecrest, Calif.
For complete information, contact Kemper Stone at kemperstone@yahoo.com
September 9, 2006 - The Iowa Gourd
Society will host a booth at the Master Gardner's Garden and Landscape
show at the beautiful and historic Brucemore
Mansion in Cedar Rapids on Saturday 9:00 - 4:00.
September 9-10, 2006 - 65th Annual
Gourd Arts and Crafts Festival in the Triangle area of North Carolina
at the State Fair Grounds. See all the details at the North
Carolina Gourd Society website.
September 15-17, 2006 - Illinois
Gourd Society Festival of Gourds at the new location at the Morten
Arboretum. Workshops, demonstrations, competitive classes, raffle,
vendors and more. For more info, visit www.illinoisgourdsociety.org.
September 16, 2006 - Mississippi
Gourd Festival at the Gourd Gracious Farm in Collinsville, MS.
We will have another Traveling Gourd to raffle. Updates can be
found at gourdgracious.homestead.com/gourdfestival.html
September 21-22, 2006 - Pre Festival
Classes—Zittels Gourd Farm, 6781 Oak Ave. Folsom, CA. For
pictures, descriptions and sign-up information, visit www.folsomgourdarts.com.
Payment is due at the time of registration and classes will fill
on a first come first serve basis, so sign-up early and enjoy
2 days of camaraderie and gourd fun!
September 23-24, 2006 - The 12th
Annual Folsom Gourd & Arts Festival will be held at Folsom
City Park, Folsom, CA. Applications are available at www.FolsomGourdFestival.com.
Contact: FolsomGourdFest@aol.com
or (916) 431-3139.
September 23-24, 2006 - Tri-Valley
Wood Carvers Annual Show, Included will be judging categories
for Gourd Carvings and Gourd Burnings. Displays and vendors wanted.
This event will be held in the Senior Center 5353 Sunol Blvd,
Pleasanton CA. 94566. For more details go to www.tri-valleycarvers.com
or contact Ken Morgan 925-462-6586, e-mail:kjasmorgan55@comcast.net
September 29-October 1, 2006 - Ohio
Gourd Show - new location in Greenville, Ohio at the DARKE COUNTY
FAIR GROUNDS. Show dates are 9-30, & 10-01. WORKSHOPS will
be held 9-29, 9-30, & 10-01. The new location is approximately
25 miles from the Dayton Airport. Workshop Instructor's application
now online. Phone: 937-447-2845 E-Mail: tvmosipple@koakonnect.com
October 7-8, 2006 - Coyote Melon
Festival at the Mojave Drums Retreat Property in Meadview, AZ.
Festival Hours: Saturday, 10:00AM to 7:00PM and Sunday, 10:00AM
to 4:00PM. For more information, click
here.
October 12-15, 2006 - New Mexico
Gourd Society's 2nd Annual Celebration of Gourds. Albuquerque
Garden Center, 10120 Lomas Blvd. NE. Gourd classes all four days.
Festival dates Saturday, October 14, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday,
October 15, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Demonstrations, special exhibits,
vendors, arts/crafts booth, featured gourd artist raffle, door
prizes, entertainment. Class schedule and registration form can
be obtained on our website, www.newmexicogourdsociety.org.
October 21-22, 2006 - Alabama Gourd
Society Festival. This year's festival will be held at the Cullman
Civic Center in Cullman, AL. For more info visit www.alabamagourdsociety.org
November 4-5, 2006 - Virginia Lover's
Gourd Society presents the 5th annual VIRGINIA GOURD FESTIVAL
-- Saturday 8:30a-5:30p and Sunday 10a-5:30p at Richards Fruit
Market, Middletown, VA (Use I-81 Exit 307 in Stephens City) Vendors,
workshops, demonstrations, silent auction, food, entertainment.
All the details: americangourdsociety.org/virginia.html
October 21-22, 2006 -Nov 11-12 Texas
Gourd Society 2006 Lone Star Gourd Festival in Waco TX. For more
info, visit www.texasgourdsociety.org
SEE
YOU NEXT TIME!
ABOUT CALIFORNIA GOURDS
California Gourds is the nation's leading online retailer
of quality hard-shelled gourds. Our quality hard-shelled gourds are
sold throughout the continental United States, Canada, Hawaii, Australia,
and more. Dedicated to service and to the gourding needs of our customers,
California Gourds seeks out the best pricing and quality of each gourd
we sell.
Presently, California Gourds features gourds from one
Arizona and two California gourd farms, and that's just the beginning.
Get wild on gourds! Craft a gourd today!
HOW CAN WE SERVE YOU BETTER? California Gourds is dedicated to bringing you the best gourds,
products, friendly service and prices 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! Or give us a call: 888.873.3622
California Gourds
31752 Pepper Tree St.
Winchester, CA 92596
If you have a pressing question about an order or any
other issue, please give California Gourds a call at (951) 639-3681
or toll free at 888-873-3622 Monday through Thursday 9am to 3pm (Pacific
Standard Time). We are happy to answer any questions! Sometimes a 5
- 10 minute phone call is much quicker and easier than playing email
tag.
This newsletter is a copyrighted publication of California
Gourds. For information on reprinting this publication in whole or in
part, please contact the Editor of The Gourdzette, at editor@gourdzette.com.
To make this your last
edition of the newsletter, click on the link listed below.
Materials:
Procedure:
7.
Hold the heating gun 2-3" directly above the area you want
to enamel. This process heats up the embossing powder into a
liquid state. If you hold the heating gun on one area for too
long, bubbles may appear or the liquid powder will spread too
thin. It takes only a few seconds to bring the embossing powder
to a liquid state.
8.
The outcome should be a semi-smooth, glassy surface. A second
coat may be desired. The area that is heated will harden 
When
the enameling process is completed and the rest of the gourd
is ready, spray a light coat of non-yellowing craft spray over
the entire gourd. The spray gives the gourd a nice sheen and
helps protect the enameled areas. 
Wanted
one good man, between age of
58-75. who likes working on gourds, easy going, sincere, conversationalist,
likes to travel, fun to be with, must be humorous, who loves
the Lord, but not a Bible Thumper, financially secure, and
possibly willing to relocate to West Texas. Fun, smart, sincere,
attractive lady, waiting to hear from you in Texas. To correspond
with me, email me at