In 1997 I remember crafting with gourds for the first time. My dad was writing an article about making gourd Christmas ornaments for the magazine, Hopscotch. So, my Momma and my sisters and I painted a bunch of gourds for our Christmas tree that year for pictures for the article.

My family and I work on a farm selling everything we grow (and only what we grow) at our roadside farm market, Magicland Farms. Ornamental and hard green gourds are included in our long list of fruit and vegetables. I find all the gourds for my projects right from our own farm. How lucky is that? However, you are welcome to stop by Magicland Farms and pick yourself up some gourds, too!

In 2001, I made eleven gourd ornaments (and a couple other gourd items from larger gourds) and put them out for sale at our farm stand. I was surprised to have all my gourds gone in one day! No, not sold, but stolen! I closed up shop for the year, very disappointed and upset (I was only a kid, not accustomed to the ways of world, yet). For Christmas that year I received the book, The Complete Book of Gourd Crafting by Ginger Summit and Jim Widess. That one book was packed full with inspiration and it made me want to try my hand at gourds again. I made twice as many gourd creations the following year and even sold some. (I wish I took pictures of my gourds during the first four years, but I didn't even think of it at the time!) But it was from then on that I’ve been perfecting in the art by teaching myself many different techniques. Painting, carving, woodburning, beading, sculpting, coiling, weaving, etc.

It takes quite a bit of time, effort, and expertise to complete each gourd, but they are fun to do and sales have been heightening each year. I sell my gourds in our craft room at Magicland Farms, craft shows, and Etsy. I also have a YouTube channel where I instruct others in the art of gourding. Check it out: http://youtube.com/bernadettegourder