The theme is beyond the basics of gourd craft , so we will be exploring ways to alter gourds by adding pieces, reattaching, coiling, woodburning, quik wood epoxy, carving and whatever comes to mind with a wide variety of materials. Mediums that will be offered for student exploration on the gourds will include textiles, acrylic pouring with turning, wood burning, carving, quikwood epoxy, mixed media papers, stamp printing,3-D sculptural with armatures, coiling with paper and reed.
Suggested materials list: sharp scissors, craft needles; curved and straight , vinyl gloves, dust mask, notebook and pens or pencils, Mr. Clean scuff mark erasers, needle nose pliers, pencil sharpener, woodburner and tips if you have them, rotary carving tool with the correct collets or universal chuck and carving bits if you have one. I will bring some extra woodburners and rotary tools for those that do not have one.
Materials fee will range from $50-$75 depending on the projects you choose.
Instructor Bio
Suzi Nonn, artisan and author, has worked with gourds for more than twenty years, and through her classes and coaching, encourages others to try gourd crafting. Suzi teaches gourd workshops at gourd festivals across the United States. (To see her current teaching schedule go to www.naturallyyoursgourds.com.) She coordinates the Gourd Gathering at Cherokee (North Carolina), the largest gathering of gourd artisans and classes on the East Coast. Nonn is also the author of Cut-Out Gourd Techniques, a book written to help gourd artists to improve their skills with the mini-saw. Her second book, Gourd Lights: How to Make 9 Beautiful Lamp and Lantern Projects was released in fall 2017. When not teaching, she can be found in her studio/garage enhancing gourds.
Retired Greenville County Art teacher; basket weaver and gourd artist for last 18 years. Wife, mother of three and grandmother of five, my life is busy and wonderful. I like to experiment with different materials and especially naturals. My friend, Nancy Basket and I recently started up a South Carolina Naturals and Fibers Group in the upstate of SC. We are now meeting on a regular basis and teaching others about naturals. I have recently incorporated mixed media, with my art media of gourds, basketry and stitchery. I am an active member of The Upper SC Basket Makers Guild, Delores Von Rosen Basket Guild, SC Gourd Society, Ga Gourd Society, NC gourd Society, Fla Gourd Society, Travelers Rest Artist Alliance, and Wild Hare Gallery. I have juried into several local shows, including recently Anderson Arts Center, Art on Main, in Hendersonville and The South Carolina Professional Fine Arts Show at the State Fair. I have taught at Furman University’s continuing education community classes, OLLI program, NCBA, SC Basket Makers Convention, Greenville Center for Creative Arts, as well as traveling to several state gourd and weaving conventions to teach basketry and gourd craft. More information at www.artbasgo.com
is there a materials fee?
Hello,
There is a materials fee. It is $35.00 plus the price of the gourds you use. There will be a variety of gourds to pick from (shapes, sizes, & prices).