Check out Gourdlandia's YouTube channel for gourd growing and crafting how-to's!
Come Make Something Beautiful!
Choose a project from this list, then send a note with the form below. We'll set it up!
Gourd Globe Light
Transform an ordinary cannonball gourd into a sweet glowing light! You can make any design you choose, or copy one of mine. With the LED bulb (provided), your design will shine beautifully on nearby surfaces. Glass beads can be inserted into some of the holes for a little accent color. The finished light is about 4-6″ across. This class involves drilling lots and lots of little holes! It's a noisy, dusty, fun project, not suitable for people under age 14, or those who would have difficulty with repetitive motion. The project takes 3-4 hours. $70, includes all materials and hardware.
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Night Light
Quick and easy and fun! You start with a gourd already cleaned and attached to a night light switch... all that's missing is the holes. That's where you come in. The tricky part is coming up with a design... but you can do it! This project takes 1-2 hours, and is available whenever Gourdlandia is open; no need to register (this one only). $40
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Pierced Pendants
Make a hanging pendant lamp for your home! Starting with a 5-6 inch round gourd, you'll lay out your simple design, get a lesson on the tools, and then start drilling. This workshop is similar to the ever-popular "globe light" project. Noisy, dusty, and very fun! Not suitable for young people or those who would have difficulty with repetitive motion. The project takes about 5 hours. $80, includes hardware, LED bulb, and everything else!
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Gourd Box
We'll start with a nice thick gourd, and give it a stain and wax finish (or use one I've already stained, same price). We'll practice carving on scraps with a small power tool, and then you'll carve your design on your gourd. I'll saw along the lid line, and then you can clean the gourd innards out, and make the insides smooth. Add a knob, and voilà! A sweet box to keep something fine in. $65, includes all materials.
Gourd Basket
A great class for learning gourd-crafting basics! Start with a Martin House (pear-shaped) gourd, and learn to stain and wax, saw and scrape, rasp and shape. Participants will leave with a beautiful functional finished basket! $65, includes all materials.
The box and basket classes are taught less frequently; contact me to see if we can set something up.
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SCHEDULE A CLASS
Use this form to contact me; propose a project and a date.
We'll make it happen!
What You Need to Know
I teach classes because I enjoy working with gourds so much! I hope you will too. Unless otherwise specified, classes take place at Gourdlandia, 77 Rachel Carson Way in Ithaca.
Materials are included in the fee. Please bring an apron or clothes that you don’t mind getting stained. I have extra dust masks, and eye protection, but please bring your own if you have them.
Most classes involve power tools and hot or sharp equipment, and are geared towards adults. Please contact me before registering a young person.
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Currently, all classes are by appointment... contact me to set up yours! If you're coming by yourself, or with just a few people, we can make it happen during Gourdlandia's open hours. For private classes, groups of 6 or more, contact me and we'll find a good date. Either way, send me a note, we'll set it up!
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Bring your buddies & some snacks. It's a party!