Gourds from the Garden
Summer 2006 Newsletter
Do tell me where the time goes. It's been amazing the last 8 months. My
mom's been a little under the weather, my son graduated the 8th grade and
heading to high school and here it is summer time. Gourds? I had to set
those aside for a while as real life took most of my time. But it's good to
get back to them somewhat now. I hope you will enjoy this newsletter and
email me with any comments.
I took the notion to learn something new. I wanted to do a few animals. That is
something I've never thought possible, and still wouldn't say I'm any expert
but thought I'd share some of what I did They were a lot of fun to do.
What's new in the world of gourds?
I know there is a Southwestern fine art showing of gourd going on in
Kerr,Texas right now. If you'd like to see some awesome photos Click here
to check it out. Thanks Judie
Richie for the pictures
Hellen Martin's, of TX
Click photo to enlarge
Cherokee 2006
I really hated I had to miss this years
event, but I know everyone had a blast.
If you ever get a chance to go to this event
held in the spring of each year, please do
so. Here's a link to this years info. Click
here
Vacation projects
While on vacation in the middle of June at the beach of South Carolina, I love to work on new
projects. I don't do the sun bathing any more so I sit on the deck of the house and watch the kids
enjoy the ocean. Hope you like what I managed to get done this year. Pine needle projects seem
to travel well.
Tips & hints with pine needle coiling
Since I've been working with pine needles lately I thought it would be a good time
to share some tips and tricks I've learned since learning this art. For the beginner
out there or maybe even an experienced coiler might find something helpful.
**to me pine needles work best when wet, I boil water and pour over the needles
to set a while (maybe 15 min) then wrap in a towel to keep moist while I'm working
with them. This can be repeated if they dry out or can be sprayed with water to
keep moist.
**you don't have to buy a guage to keep filling with needles to keep your bundle the
same size, I use many different sizes of drinking straws and cut them down to
about 1-2 inches.
**always start your coiling in the back of your project and only begin with 3-5
individual pine needles and gradually add to the desired size
**when first learning it's best to start with the single stitch, once you have that
mastered try the V-stitch. The V-stitch is basically the single stitch twice pulling
your second one over to the next one.
**Duct tape works great to hold an antler into place when coiling around it, but be
sure you stitch the coils tightly to hold the antler when the tape is removed.
**it's much easier to already have the inside and outside of your gourd finished
before starting to coil.
**use natural materials as accents, such as pine cones, sea shells, antlers,
driftwood, walnut slices, or something special you've found.
**I generally use wax linen thread to coil my baskets, but some people use sinew,
or other strong thread. Even wire can be used.
see the example here
the beginning only has
a few needles, notice
the holes inside need a
good touch up when I'm
finished. This is the
single stitch used
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
