Quote of the Week:

"Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will."

- George Bernard Shaw
(1856 - 1950)

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(1) FALL/WINTER SCHEDULE OF GOURD ART CLASSES!
Learn a new technique! Sharpen your skills! Whether you are familiar with a crafting technique or not - you will always learn something that you didn't already know! Sign up now for Gourd Art Classes held at Jasmin Galleries! The skills you learn may be the ones that take your work to the next level! Class sizes are limited! Reserve your space now! Click Here!

(2) ALL-NEW CRAFTERS SPECIALS!
Are you a crafter and just need some gourds to tinker on? Do you like to paint whimsical creatures, Santas, and angels but don't want to spend a lot of money on your gourds? Have we got the gourd deals for you! Check out the latest Specials by Clicking Here Now!

(3) GOURD ART CLASS: WAX RESIST ON GOURDS
Learn to create an inspiring design using wax resist on gourds! Join Kristy Dial on Saturday, October 15th at Jasmin Galleries! Sign up now while there are spaces available! Register Now!

(4) SHOP FROM SOME OF THE TOP GOURD ARTISANS!
Have you ever wanted to have your very own Patricia Boyd gourd masterpiece? Or maybe a Dave Sisk gourd masque or a Janra Ranch whimsical gourd animal! With so many fantastic gourd art pieces to choose from, you are sure to find one at Jasmin Galleries that you've just got to have! Why wait for a festival or craft show? Shop for your gourd art at Jasmin Galleries now! Call (858) 459-4505 for directions!

(5) GOURD ART CLASS: GOURD MASKS
Learn how to create a unique wall-hanging/gourd mask that will be perfect for a gift giving occasion! Especially if you are new to gourding, this is a fantastic class that you really must take! Join Mary Segreto, Sunday, October 16th at Jasmin Galleries! You will be so glad you did! Register Now!

(6) GOURD ART CLASS: GOURD CARVING
This class sells out quickly! If you have thought about trying to carve on a gourd, but don't know where to start, this class is for you. An introduction to the basics of carving on a gourd. Join Kristy Dial, Saturday, October 29th at Jasmin Galleries! Register Now!

(7) COMING SOON: THE NEW CALIFORNIA GOURDS WEB SITE
We're cleaning up our act and bringing you a whole new product line! With a group of new gourd suppliers and an endless supply of gourds, you are sure to find just the product you are searching for at very reasonable prices! Expect more gourd sales and lower overall prices! The revealing of the new web site will be announced in our next newsletter! So stay tuned!

(8) COMING SOON: JASMIN GALLERIES WEB SITE
It's nearly ready! It's almost time to reveal the newly created Jasmin Galleries web site! Can't make it to La Jolla, but you are just itching to see the premier gallery dedicated exclusively to gourd art??? Your wait is just about over! Check out the next issue of The Gourdzette to find out when!

(9) CALIFORNIA GOURDS EXPANSION ON THE HORIZON!
Are you, or do you know of, a gourd farm that produces the kind of gourds everyone should know about? California Gourds is on the hunt for more gourd suppliers. The goal is to make available even more quality gourds at the lowest prices to gourd crafters and artisans around the world! If you know of any or would like more information yourself, please email Lorenzo at lorenzo@californiagourds.com. Everyone is looking for the best deal, and California Gourds is committed to bring those deals to you!

(10) 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.

(11) NOTICE
You may have noticed a couple of weeks ago, there was difficulty shopping on the California Gourds website. Recently, California Gourds has been under attack by some very unscrupulous and immoral characters. We have since remedied the breach and are in the process of making sure it does not happen again. We sincerely appreciate your patience with us during this time. If you have any concerns or questions regarding your security and ability to shop online with us, please give us a call toll free at (888) 873-3622. We are happy to resolve any issues you may have experienced during this time as well as assure you of our loyalty and integrity to you, our customers. Thank you for your understanding and patience!

(12) 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

JUST A QUICK NOTE: If you have a pressing question about an order or any other issue, please give California Gourds a call toll free at 888-873-3622 Monday through Friday 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.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Virtually everyone is searching for a way to make a little extra money on the side. Especially with the Holidays coming. So, we felt this article may provide some insight into just one possible avenue to create a stream of income for you. We realize this is not our typical Feature Article style. However, please read on. Our next Feature Article will return to project ideas! Thank you for reading!

How to Sell Your Crafts on eBay

by James Dillehay

Artists, craftspeople and photographers are successfully selling their wares everyday on the online auction site, eBay. According to a recent analysis of eBay sales, a crafts-related item is sold every nine seconds, a scrapbook item is sold every minute, and 40 cross-stitch items sell in an hour on eBay. Sales of craft items on eBay have grown almost 60 percent in the past year, according to TheBidFloor.com.
But, at the same time, many would be sellers are listing their pieces for sale on auctions and getting no bids, concluding that eBay just doesn't work.
Here are some tips from James Dillehay, craft artist, eBay seller and author of the new book, "Sell Your Crafts on eBay" (Warm Snow Publishers), on how to profitably sell your wares online:

1. A word's spelling impacts an item's profitability. For example, the word 'handmade,' spelled as one word, was part of 2,233 auction titles with an average closing price of $16.29. However, auction titles that included 'hand made' as two words were found in 1,358 listings, but with an average auction closing price higher, at $27.81, or $11.52 more profit per item.

2. Go to eBay.com and find the search box. Type in the word or phrase that describes your art or craft item. Then scroll down the links on the left side of the page and click on the link for "completed items." Here, you'll be able to see the demand for this type of product. Do searches for your items every two to three weeks
to chart buying patterns.

3. Find out how much people are willing to pay for your wares. Click on the link that says "highest price." This will give you a list of completed auctions from highest priced items to lowest priced ones. You want to know what people are willing to pay for items like yours. If you can't make and sell your product for a profit, eBay might not be your marketplace.

4. Determine how much money you'll make on your product. To determine your profitability, use the cost of your materials plus the cost of your labor plus the cost of your selling price, which should be the minimum price to recover your expenses. If it takes you eight hours to make a piece of jewelry and the highest priced similar item sells on eBay for $26, you won't make a profit.

5. Look at the elements of successful sellers of products that are similar to yours. Examine their winning auction titles. Observe how much detail they use to describe their item. See if the seller used any of eBay's special features such as gallery photos or a bold, featured listing. Evaluate the starting price, starting day of the week, and duration of winning auctions.

For more tips on how to sell your craft items on eBay, consult a resource book like "Sell Your Crafts on eBay," by James Dillehay. It offers-more than 200 easy-to-learn tactics and tips that help sell art, craft and theme-related items for a profit on eBay and on other online auction Web sites.

Want to know what's happening at Jasmin Galleries? Then this is the section for you! Get the latest scoop on upcoming events right here!

Jasmin Galleries is searching for Volunteer Demo Artists! Support the Gallery and yourself by spending a few hours working on your gourd art at the Gallery! Work on gourds, talk to people, and potentially sell some of your gourd art! Contact Norine for more details at 858.459.4505 or via email at norine@jasmingalleries.com.

THE 2ND ANNUAL LA JOLLA GALLERY AND WINE WALK

Jasmin Galleries is participating in this year's La Jolla Gallery and Wine Walk, taking place Thursday, October 6th from 5pm to 9pm. For just $25, you can enjoy over20 of La Jolla's famed galleries showcasing works from renowned international artists, sample exquisite wines from around the globe and indulge in house specialties from more than 10 local restaurants. Proceeds from the event will benefit Promote La Jolla. For tickets or information call (619) 233-5008 or visit www.lajollabythesea.com. Or Click Here!

Fall/Winter Gourd Art Classes are now posted! We have been having so much fun with the classes at the Gallery! Join us for the Fall for Gourds! Register today for any one or more gourd art classes and get inspired by the amazing collections of gourd art!

Saturday, October 15th - Wax Resist on Gourds with Kristy Dial. Click Here to Register!

Sunday, October 16th - Gourd Masks with Mary Segreto. Click Here to Register!

Saturday, October 29th - Gourd Carving with Kristy Dial. Click Here to Register!

Saturday, November 5th - Silk Dye on Gourds with Dianne Connelly. Click Here to Register!

Sunday, November 6th - Southwest Harvest Basket with Mary Segreto. Click Here to Register!

Saturday, November 12th - Beginning Gourd Crafting with Dianne Connelly. Click Here to Register!

Sunday, November 13th - Teneriffe Weaving with Mary Segreto. Click Here to Register!

Sunday, December 4th - Gourd Oil Lamps with Mary Segreto. Click Here to Register!

Saturday, December 10th - Pine Needle Weaving with Dianne Connelly. Click Here to Register!

More classes and events to come! To register online, click here. To register by phone, call 858.459.4505.

Now at Jasmin Galleries you can also select from a nice assortment of craft ready gourds, books, and tools! If you are in need of supplies, stop by the Gallery and save on gas and shipping costs! A great alternative for your gourding needs!

If you are interested in having your gourd art considered for the Gallery, please contact via e-mail, Norine: norine@jasmingalleries.com for submission requirements and details or call the gallery during business hours.

Jasmin Galleries
7863 Herschel Ave.
La Jolla, CA 92037

Ph: (858) 459-4505
Fax:(858) 459-4603

Now open 7 days a week!

Hours subject to change seasonally.

October 8-9, 2005 - Coyote Melon Festival - Mojave Drums Campground in Meadview, AZ. For details please visit www.Mojavedrums.com.

October 15, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Wax Resist on Gourds with Kristy Dial at Jasmin Galleries, La Jolla, CA. For more info, click here!

October 15, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Mayan Gourd Drum - Kayum with Guillermo Martinez at The Caning Shop, Berkeley, CA. For more info, click here!

October 16, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Gourd Masks with Mary Segreto at Jasmin Galleries, La Jolla, CA. For more info, click here!

October 15-16, 2005 - Alabama Gourd Show in Cullman Alabama. www.alabamagourdsociety.org

October 15-16, 2005 - Texas Gourd Society 10th Annual State "Show and Sell" at the Palmer Events Center in Austin. Gourd artists, live demonstrations, TGS bookstore, judged competition, raw & cleaned gourds available, a world of exquisite crafted gourds for sale, tools & equipment for purchase, children’s “Make it, Take it” craft corner, and much, much more. For details please check out the TGS website

October 21-22, 2005 - New Mexico Gourd Society's 1st Annual Gourd Festival
"Celebration of Gourds 2005!" 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Albuquerque Garden Center
10120 Lomas Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Classes, Demonstrations, Presentations and Gourd Supply Vendors. Pre-Registration for Gourd Art Classes by August 15, 2005 Free Admission and Parking Information/ Class Schedule/ Pictures/Registration Form: http://home.att.net/~nmgs or call 505-363-6335.

October 22-23, 2005 - Gourd Art Exhibit, Sale and Classes at the annual California Gourd Art Festival at the Los Angles County Arboretum. A variety of classes will be held each day. Starting on Saturday, October 22, at 9am, the Iron Gourd Olympiad will begin, with gourd artists competing for a $500 grand prize and a People’s Choice award. Also, visit the ongoing exhibit and sale of unique gourd art. Event details: www.calgourd.com

October 22-23, 2005 - GourdWorks: A showcase of gourd artists sharing their talent with the community during the Morton Arboretum's Color Festival. For more information please visit the website or e-mail barb at sojourn@att.net

October 29, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Gourd Carving with Kristy Dial at Jasmin Galleries, La Jolla, CA. For more info, click here!

October 29, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: U-Gouge Gourd Carving with Kemper Stone at The Caning Shop, Berkeley, CA. For more info, click here!

October 29, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Dyeing and Finishing Techniques with Mary Segreto in Fallbrook, CA. Contact Mary, gotgourds@aol.com

November 4-6, 2005 - Sunshine Gourd College in Bradenton (near Tampa) FL. A full weekend of classes, vendors, and gourd fellowship. For more info: Click Here!

November 5, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Silk Dye on Gourds with Dianne Connelly at Jasmin Galleries, La Jolla, CA. For more info, click here!

November 5-6, 2005 - Virginia Gourd Festival (Stephens City exit of I-81) in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley.

November 6, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Southwest Harvest Basket with Mary Segretoat Jasmin Galleries, La Jolla, CA. For more info, click here!

November 12, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Beginning Gourd Crafting with Dianne Connelly at the Jasmin Galleries, La Jolla, CA. Click Here to Register!

November 19, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Gourd Maiden with Mary Segreto in Fallbrook, CA. Contact Mary, gotgourds@aol.com

December 3, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Coiling Pine Needles on Gourds. Student will be able to chose from 8 different types of coiling techniques. It will take place at Toni Best's house in Visalia, CA. Contact Toni at (559) 627-5430 or: capineneedles@earthlink.net

December 4, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Gourd Oil Lamps with Mary Segreto at Jasmin Galleries, La Jolla, CA. Click Here to Register!

December 10, 2005 - Gourd Art Class: Beginning Pine Needle Weaving with Dianne Connelly at the Jasmin Galleries, La Jolla, CA. Click Here to Register!

February 3-5, 2006 - Wuertz Farm's 3rd Annual Gourd Festival. For more info, click here.

February 24-26, 2006 - 2006 Florida Gourd Show. Putnam County Fairgrounds. One block off US 17. Palatka, Florida. Open To The Public. Demonstrations. Vendors. Growers. Workshops. [All 3 days] Judged Exhibits [Sat & Sun only]

March 16-19, 2006 - Fibers Through Time - 2006. For more info, click here.

March 25, 2006 - Second Annual Gourd Gathering at the Zoo.

April 14-16, 2006 - California Gourd Society Biennial Conference at Asilomar. For more info, contact Lynne Bunt by email at lynnebunt@sbcglobal.net

May 13-14, 2006 - Leiser Farm's 3rd Annual Gourd Festival. For more info, click here.