What's Happening?
Well what's happening now is I'm trying to get this website completed! But on the gourd front, I've been making the little gourd pendants that you can see on the 'Gourds For Sale' page. We had what I'd thought a disastrous crop last year (2018) as most of the gourds were tiny, but there were a lot of them. The weather was really hot and not enough water plus an infestation of bugs right as they were just starting to grow. I was feeling a bit down about it all until I had an 'aha' moment and started on the gourd pendants. (see Gourds For Sale page) Now I just want more!!! Also starting on some mobiles with the gourds that are still small but too big for pendants.
[June 18 2019]
These are part of the mobiles I'm currently making. I've been working on them over the last week and quite enjoying the dot thing (as you've probably guessed). I've made 8 so far and have a couple more to finish. I was going to use a metal ring to hold them but have decided to use the top of a gourd to hang the little ones from (I'll make the bottom cut off into a small bowl) probably with some beads in there as well, not completely sure yet,. Can't rush these things you know.
Below left: Some of the mini pendant gourds partially painted
Below right: Another dish I've just begun.
Always good to have several things on the go otherwise the 'boredom factor' threatens and besides I often have to wait for paint to dry.
These are part of the mobiles I'm currently making. I've been working on them over the last week and quite enjoying the dot thing (as you've probably guessed). I've made 8 so far and have a couple more to finish. I was going to use a metal ring to hold them but have decided to use the top of a gourd to hang the little ones from (I'll make the bottom cut off into a small bowl) probably with some beads in there as well, not completely sure yet,. Can't rush these things you know.
Below left: Some of the mini pendant gourds partially painted
Below right: Another dish I've just begun.
Always good to have several things on the go otherwise the 'boredom factor' threatens and besides I often have to wait for paint to dry.
It takes me a while but eventually I get there. As you can see I've finished the mobile and the dish. Fairly pleased with how they turned out and have since sold the dish at a market stall late last year (2019)
Below is another I did at the same time using similar colours but slightly different pattern. Fun little dishes finished with (food safe) resin. I have some more little bells ready to put together for another mobile but have yet to paint the main bell from which they will hang. Below left is a bunch of the completed little gourd pendants. I have a lot of fun with these and they prove to be very popular. |
The Gourd Factor Goes to Market
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As you can see, yet another upgrade (where will it end)! And it's so good to have friends that can sew.
This is my stall at the Tactile Arts Christmas Markets, held in the Darwin Convention Centre, November 2019. I was as nervous as can be, getting there at 6:30am to setup. But it was a good day with enough sales to make me smile and lots of really positive feedback. I will definitely be attending them again next year.
This is my stall at the Tactile Arts Christmas Markets, held in the Darwin Convention Centre, November 2019. I was as nervous as can be, getting there at 6:30am to setup. But it was a good day with enough sales to make me smile and lots of really positive feedback. I will definitely be attending them again next year.
November 2020 Tactile Arts Christmas Markets run over 2 days this year which I was initially a bit nervous about, but it was a great 2 days. I had the best fun educating people on the wonders of gourds and how easy they are to grow AND of course selling lots. And AGAIN I saw the sun rise, it doesn't happen very often! My website and Facebook 'for sale' pages are looking mighty sad at the moment. Lots of work to do
This year along with my gourds and some acrylic pour coasters I took some crocheted baskets that I'd done over the past few months. Although only selling a couple (more than I expected really) the sight of them was such a nostalgic joy to so many people, it made including them well worth it, sales or no sales. The most common comment along with huge smiles was '...ohhhh looook my gran/nana used to have these, I haven't seen them for years'. Pleased I took them.
This year along with my gourds and some acrylic pour coasters I took some crocheted baskets that I'd done over the past few months. Although only selling a couple (more than I expected really) the sight of them was such a nostalgic joy to so many people, it made including them well worth it, sales or no sales. The most common comment along with huge smiles was '...ohhhh looook my gran/nana used to have these, I haven't seen them for years'. Pleased I took them.