Class Info & Teachers Application

2013 Class List

Friday Classes

Tools of the Trade

Date and Time:
Friday, September 13 - 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Instructor:
Karen Brown

Price:
$16.00

Course Level:
Beginner

Description:
This is a hands on, try-it-before-you-buy-it tool class. Students will be learning the basics of gourding and the tools used in all areas of this art form. If you are new to gourds or just expanding your tool collection this class is a must take. Karen will walk you through growing, harvesting, cleaning, cutting, sanding and finishing your gourd projects. She'll have her tool collection there for you to try during class.

Supplies Needed:
None required.

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide all materials and tools.


Make Your Own Embellishments

Date and Time:
Friday, September 13 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Instructor:
Penni Jo Couch

Price:
$18.00

Course Level:
All Levels (beginner to advanced)

Description:
This Polymer clay embellishment class is for all levels of clayer. We'll cover the following: conditioning and preparing polymer clay; molding, preparing perfect parts with no trimming after de-molding; controlling the thickness of your embellishments; sculpting your own embellishments; re-shaping molded or sculpted parts; using multiple parts to form a larger design; adding wires to molded embellishments; use of mica powders to create jewel-like finishes.

Supplies Needed:
None required.

Supplies Provided:
Polymer clay.


Sea Grass Rims with Dyes

Date and Time:
Friday, September 13 - 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Instructor:
Lisa Wierenga

Price:
$46.00

Course Level:
All Levels (beginner to advanced)

Description:
Learn two techniques in this class - using leather dyes and attaching sea grass to the rim of a gourd. Paricipants will color their gourd with dyes and then receive instruction and all materials necessary to attach sea grass around the top. The process is easier than you may think and this is a great class for those just starting in gourd crafting or those interested in adding another dimension to their gourd art.

Supplies Needed:
A paint shirt is advisable as the dyes can stain clothes.

Supplies Provided:
All materials are supplied - a prepared gourd, leather dyes, sea grass, and waxed linen.


Phildendron Leaf Bowl

Date and Time:
Friday, September 13 - 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Instructor:
Karen Brown

Price:
$41.00

Course Level:
Beginner

Description:
In this four hour class each student will learn how to sew wo Philodendron sheaths to a gourd blwl going in opposite directions. Student's kit includes 1 cut, cleaned and drilled bowl, two sheaths, instructions, waxed linen thread, and several pieces of dry, decorative materials to finish off each bowl at the end of class. No 2 bowls will be alike as each student will have many choices to set their piece apart.

Supplies Needed:
None required.

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide all materials.


Beginning Chip Carving

Date and Time:
Friday, September 13 - 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Instructor:
Anna Miller

Price:
$51.00

Course Level:
Beginner

Description:
Learn basic chip-carving while practicing on a martin house gourd. (no power tools needed!) Leather dye will be provided so you can stain your bird house, and you can spray it with exterior polyurethane to take home a completed bird house ready for occupants next spring.

Supplies Needed:
None required.

Supplies Provided:
Martin house gourds, dye, poly spray, leather straps for hanging gourds, 1/4" u-shaped carving gouge (the gouge is included in the cost of the class).


Saturday Classes

Weaving with Reed and Fibers

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Instructor:
Kathy McMinn

Price:
$51.00

Course Level:
All Levels (beginner to advanced)

Description:
Starting with a prepared gourd, you will insert spokes and weave a random weave design on top of the gourd. Spaces will be left that can be filled in with yarns or other fibers.

Supplies Needed:
None required.

Supplies Provided:
Prepared gourd, weaving materials, yarns, waxed linen, seagrass and other fibers. All tools will be provided.


Masking & Alcohol Inks

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm

Instructor:
Chris Pawlik

Price:
$56.00

Course Level:
Intermediate, Advanced

Description:
Looking to learn a different way of using alcohol inks on gourds? This class will show you how to use a masking technique to protect the natural color of the gourd before adding color using alcohol inks. In this class, you will mask the gourd, add color using alcohol inks, burn details into the surface of the gourd, add a sealer, attach a base, mark the gourd to be cut the open and attach a knob to the lid. (For those looking to take this class but do not have a gourd saw, the instructor will open the gourd for you during the class.) You will leave with almost finished gourd (the inside will not be finished during the class), 3 colors of Alcohol Ink, blending tool with pads and instructions. Additional masking shapes will be available for purchase after the class.

Supplies Needed:
Pyrography Tool with fine line pen, Dusk Mask and Eye Protection, apron. Optional: If you have your own gourd saw and drill you can bring them so you can open your gourd yourself if you like.

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide; gourd, base, knob (will be different than the one in the photo, alcohol ink, masking material, patterns and instructions.


Keyed Polymer Clay Lid

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

Instructor:
Penni Jo Couch

Price:
$56.00

Course Level:
Beginner, Intermediate

Description:
This polymer clay class is for both beginner and intermediate clayers. We'll cover the the following: Conditioning and preparing polymer clay, creating and finishing a polymer clay fitted lid that 'keys' into a design on the gourd (we will not be using the top of the opened gourd for the lid, we will be making a solid polymer clay lid), baking the clay lid (there are at least two bakings for the lid), preparing the gourd with liquid polymer clay to create a bond between the gourd and the clay, softening polymer clay for bas relief designs, baking the gourd with polymer clay on it, antiquing the three dimensional designs on the baked gourd, highlighting the elements with Viva Decor Inka-Gold thick paint and finally, varnishing the gourd if desired.

Supplies Needed:
Sand paper 320 grit, your favorite gourd tools, a ruler, mask for dust control (optional, very brief sanding in the class).

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide a cannonball gourd, cleaned and opened; polymer clay; liquid polymer clay, step-by-step full color tutorial, small baking surface, list of suppliers of polymer clay and clay friendly materials, heavy body acrylic paint for antiquing details.


Eggshell Mosaic Gourd

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Instructor:
Diane Bruder

Price:
$56.00

Course Level:
All Levels (beginner to advanced)

Description:
Students will dye, paint and use eggshells to create a decorative rim. They will also use 24 gauge wire to create a seed beaded rim.

Supplies Needed:
Students should bring an apron to keep clothes clean, latex gloves to keep hands clean and needle nose pliers. They should also bring a heat tool or blow dryer.

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide gourd and all art materials and supplies.


Maple Leaf Cascade Bowl

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (with lunch break)

Instructor:
Karen Brown

Price:
$81.00

Course Level:
Intermediate, Advanced

Description:
This is an all day class for intermeniate to advanced carving students. In this class stduents will use their rotary tools to carve a cascade to leaves on the top of a canteen gourd. Karen will show you how to undercut and undulate the leaves to give them a life like appearance. Take you carving to the next level in this informative class. This project will NOT be finished at the end of class time.

Supplies Needed:
Rotary tool, NO battery operated rotary tools please unless you have two extra batteries. A respirator or well fitted dust mask, eye protection.

Supplies Provided:
Kit includes: whole clean canteen gourd, pattern, handout, and all the burrs/bits used in class. Teacher will have a few extra rotary tools with for student use.


Beginning Chip Carving

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Instructor:
Anna Miller

Price:
$51.00

Course Level:
Beginner

Description:
Learn basic chip-carving while practicing on a martin house gourd. (no power tools needed!) Leather dye will be provided so you can stain your bird house, and you can spray it with exterior polyurethane to take home a completed bird house ready for occupants next spring.

Supplies Needed:
None required.

Supplies Provided:
Martin house gourds, dye, poly spray, leather straps for hanging gourds, 1/4" u-shaped carving gouge (the gouge is included in the cost of the class).


Sea Grass Rims with Dyes

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Instructor:
Lisa Wierenga

Price:
$46.00

Course Level:
All Levels (beginner to advanced)

Description:
Learn two techniques in this class - using leather dyes and attaching sea grass to the rim of a gourd. Paricipants will color their gourd with dyes and then receive instruction and all materials necessary to attach sea grass around the top. The process is easier than you may think and this is a great class for those just starting in gourd crafting or those interested in adding another dimension to their gourd art.

Supplies Needed:
A paint shirt is advisable as the dyes can stain clothes.

Supplies Provided:
All materials are supplied - a prepared gourd, leather dyes, sea grass, and waxed linen.


Masking & Alcohol Inks

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Instructor:
Chris Pawlik

Price:
$56.00

Course Level:
Intermediate, Advanced

Description:
Looking to learn a different way of using alcohol inks on gourds? This class will show you how to use a masking technique to protect the natural color of the gourd before adding color using alcohol inks. In this class, you will mask the gourd, add color using alcohol inks, burn details into the surface of the gourd, add a sealer, attach a base, mark the gourd to be cut the open and attach a knob to the lid. (For those looking to take this class but do not have a gourd saw, the instructor will open the gourd for you during the class.) You will leave with almost finished gourd (the inside will not be finished during the class), 3 colors of Alcohol Ink, blending tool with pads and instructions. Additional masking shapes will be available for purchase after the class.

Supplies Needed:
Pyrography Tool with fine line pen, Dusk Mask and Eye Protection, apron. Optional: If you have your own gourd saw and drill you can bring them so you can open your gourd yourself if you like.

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide; gourd, base, knob (will be different than the one in the photo, alcohol ink, masking material, patterns and instructions.


Woodburning with Linda Sales

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Instructor:
Linda Sales

Price:
$41.00

Course Level:
All Levels (beginner to advanced)

Description:
Beginners will have a barn to work on. Advanced students can get help with anything they want from our selection of over 200 patterns.

Supplies Needed:
Woodburner required.

Supplies Provided:
Wood for class included: 5" x 7" fine sanded piece of birch. Wood burners available for sale.


Make Your Own Embellishments

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Instructor:
Penni Jo Couch

Price:
$18.00

Course Level:
All Levels (beginner to advanced)

Description:
This Polymer clay embellishment class is for all levels of clayer. We'll cover the following: conditioning and preparing polymer clay; molding, preparing perfect parts with no trimming after de-molding; controlling the thickness of your embellishments; sculpting your own embellishments; re-shaping molded or sculpted parts; using multiple parts to form a larger design; adding wires to molded embellishments; use of mica powders to create jewel-like finishes.

Supplies Needed:
None required.

Supplies Provided:
Polymer clay.


Silk Dye Gourd

Date and Time:
Saturday, September 14 - 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Instructor:
Diane Bruder

Price:
$56.00

Course Level:
All Levels (beginner to advanced)

Description:
Students will use silk dye and silk salt to create a tye dye effect. Students have the option of a braded ribbon accent to embellish the rim or they may create a shiny black or gold embossed rim. Braided ribbons are availablefor purchase at $3.

Supplies Needed:
Students should bring an apron to keep clothes clean, latex gloves to keep hands clean and needle nose pliers. They should also bring a heat tool or blow dryer.

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide gourd and all art materials and supplies.


Sunday Classes

Keyed Polymer Clay Lid

Date and Time:
Sunday, September 15 - 9:00 am to 12:30 pm

Instructor:
Penni Jo Couch

Price:
$56.00

Course Level:
Beginner, Intermediate

Description:
This polymer clay class is for both beginner and intermediate clayers. We'll cover the the following: Conditioning and preparing polymer clay, creating and finishing a polymer clay fitted lid that 'keys' into a design on the gourd (we will not be using the top of the opened gourd for the lid, we will be making a solid polymer clay lid), baking the clay lid (there are at least two bakings for the lid), preparing the gourd with liquid polymer clay to create a bond between the gourd and the clay, softening polymer clay for bas relief designs, baking the gourd with polymer clay on it, antiquing the three dimensional designs on the baked gourd, highlighting the elements with Viva Decor Inka-Gold thick paint and finally, varnishing the gourd if desired.

Supplies Needed:
Sand paper 320 grit, your favorite gourd tools, a ruler, mask for dust control (optional, very brief sanding in the class).

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide a cannonball gourd, cleaned and opened; polymer clay; liquid polymer clay, step-by-step full color tutorial, small baking surface, list of suppliers of polymer clay and clay friendly materials, heavy body acrylic paint for antiquing details.


Maple Leaf Bowl

Date and Time:
Sunday, September 15 - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Instructor:
Karen Brown

Price:
$46.00

Course Level:
Intermediate, Advanced

Description:
This is a two for one class! We will be carving Maple leaves and then adding pyrography to the leaves to bring them to life. Stuents will get several leaves carved and at least one burned before the end of class time.

Supplies Needed:
Rotary tool NOTE: NO battery opperated tools unless you have extra batteries for your tool. A respirator or well fitted dust mask and a temperature adjustable wood burning tool with a small ball shader or hair pin pen/tip.

Supplies Provided:
Handout, cut and clean gourd bowl ready to carve, all burrs/bits used during class time. Teacher will have a few extra rotary tools for stuents to use during class time.


Eggshell Mosaic Gourd

Date and Time:
Sunday, September 15 - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Instructor:
Diane Bruder

Price:
$56.00

Course Level:
All Levels (beginner to advanced)

Description:
Students will dye, paint and use eggshells to create a decorative rim. They will also use 24 gauge wire to create a seed beaded rim.

Supplies Needed:
Students should bring an apron to keep clothes clean, latex gloves to keep hands clean and needle nose pliers. They should also bring a heat tool or blow dryer.

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide gourd and all art materials and supplies.


Silk Dye Gourd

Date and Time:
Sunday, September 15 - 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm

Instructor:
Diane Bruder

Price:
$56.00

Course Level:
All Levels (beginner to advanced)

Description:
Students will use silk dye and silk salt to create a tye dye effect. Students have the option of a braded ribbon accent to embellish the rim or they may create a shiny black or gold embossed rim. Braided ribbons are availablefor purchase at $3.

Supplies Needed:
Students should bring an apron to keep clothes clean, latex gloves to keep hands clean and needle nose pliers. They should also bring a heat tool or blow dryer.

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide gourd and all art materials and supplies.


Gourd Rattle

Date and Time:
Sunday, September 15 - 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Instructor:
Karen Brown

Price:
$16.00

Course Level:
Beginner

Description:
Studets of all ages can make a gourd rattle in this fun filled two hour class. No two rattles will be alike as each student will select the color and design(s) used on their project.

Supplies Needed:
None required.

Supplies Provided:
Instructor will provide all materials.


(more classes coming soon)

 

Class Registration

Pre-Register:
Glenn Murray
810-664-7300
Send Email

Download the Registration Form

2013 Class information
The seating for each class is limited
Students must cancel on or before September 1, 2013 to receive a refund
Gate entrance is not included in class price.

If you would be interested in teaching a course please fill out the form below.

Workshop Application for 4th Annual Michigan Festival of Gourds, September 13 - 15, 2013
Send a completed application with photo for each class to:

Deb Stallings
6480 W. Imlay City Road
Imlay City, MI 48444

Name: *
Address: *
City: *
State/Zip: * Zip / Postal Code: *
Telephone: *
E-Mail: *
Workshop Title: *
Workshop Description: *
Materials Supplied by Instructor:
If none are needed, type none
Materials Supplied by students:
If none are needed, type none
Teachers provide gourds, extension cords and power strips. Volunteers will help you unload your vehicle.
Course Level:
Minimum # of Students:   Maximum # of Students:
Workshop Charge: $ per student + $5 Class Duration:

Class Times (tentative):
Friday, September 13th: 12:00 - 4:00, 5:00 - 8:00
Saturday, September 14th: 9:00 - 12:00, 1:00 - 5:00
Sunday, September 15th: 9:00 - 2:00

Preferred Class Times:
Please provide a list of times with as many options as possible.
We will contact you once a schedule starts to come together to confirm the information.

Harvest Dinner

As a show of our appreciation, we are offering a dinner on Saturday night after the event for a minimal fee. Everyone is welcome and this is a fantastic way to celebrate and wind down after a wonderful day of work.

Number of people attending    x  $20 each  =  

For more information about the dinner or if you would like to purchase tickets online, please click here to go to the Dinner page.

Picture Upload: Please upload a picture to better help promote your class.

The optimal picture size is about 500 pixels wide or less (it's okay if it's a bit bigger), at 72 dpi resolution.
File formats should be in a .jpg or .gif. If you need to resize your images, this webpage is a good place to do it online: www.picresize.com (link will open in a new window).

Click here to Upload Your Image. A window will pop up where you can then browse to your image. When you are done you can close the pop up window and finish with the rest of this form.
Gourd Gallery: New This Year! Enter your gourds into our gallery and leave the work of displaying and selling to us.

Fee Schedule
1 to 7 gourds - $10 per weekend
8 to 15 gourds - $20 per weekend
16 gourds and up - $30 per weekend

There will be 3 ribbons awarded for best workmanship and 2 ribbons for most creative use of a gourd. If the gourd is not available for sale, just write NFS on entry form. Entries accepted Friday morning between 8-12 and can be picked up Sunday at 2:00.

Please contact Deb if you are interested and how many submissions you will have: 810-724-6135 or dbstallings@gmail.com
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