2026 Workshops

Instructor: Carolyn Owen

Friday 8am–noon

Class Min: 5  Max:10

Gourd students will learn techniques for laying out gourd designs. Basic wood burned lines will be drawn. We will be using ink dyes and textured paint to make the gourd look like a piece of pottery. A Quick wood rim will be attached. To finish our piece, we will be using a needle point applicator bottle to add botanicals with a textured paint. Most students should finish the project but if not, all will have a printed tutorial and skills to finish quickly at home.

Students need to bring: Wood burner with skew tip (I have 2 available), X-Acto knife, Heat tool (I have 2 available), flexible measuring tape, and a 1/8" wide flat paint brush (#2) and a 1/2" flat paint brush. If you are sensitive to strong odors a mask may be needed while working with Quick wood. Gloves if you need something other than size M.

Instructor will provide: Prepared gourd, Quick wood, paint, ink dyes and Q-Tip's. Various size tape, spray lacquer, gloves, wet wipes, precision tip applicator bottles. Tutorial.

Instructor: Judi Fleming

Friday 8am–noon

In this class student will learn everything about both power tools and hand tools used for cutting, carving, wood burning, and cleaning for gourd crafting. Safety, use as well as care, and cleaning of tools will be emphasized. Instructor will bring a HUGE variety of tools and gourd scraps to practice on. 

Students need to bring: a mask, eye protection, an apron. Students are encouraged to bring their own tools that they specifically have questions on and would like to practice with. 

Instructor will provide: All other supplies.

Instructor: Lisa Minne'

Friday 8am – noon

Class Min: 5   Max: 12

This project involves using mulberry paper applique and woodburning on a gourd. We will start by using ink dyes, creating an applique pattern, woodburning geometric shapes, and finishing with light embellishments. Most students should finish the project but if not, all will have a printed tutorial and skills to finish quickly at home.

Students need to bring: Apron, gloves, mask, wood burner with skew tip, a favorite ink dye, heat tool. 
Instructor will provide: Spray lacquer, alcohol spray, ink dye applicators, mulberry paper of different colors, a clean and cut gourd ready to use, various glues, various options for embellishing, and written instructions. 

Instructor: Sheryl Scott

Friday 1–5 PM

Class Min: 4   Max: 15

Students will wood burn a sea turtle design onto a powderhorn or vase gourd. They will then use heat set ink dyes to decorate it. Students will get to use our new "quick cure clay" to attach a river birch wood medallion for the base.

Students need to bring: wood burner, craft dryer. (Wood burners will be available to rent for $10 during the class—notify instructor before the event if this is needed.)

Instructor will provided: prepped and cut gourd, pattern for sea turtle, ink dyes, base, quick cure clay

Instructor: Kristin Johnson

Friday 1–5 PM

Class Max: 15

This class will be an introduction to working with gourds with a focus on transforming a small bottle into a basket AND vase.  We will use pyrography and Calligraphy to decorate the gourds and finish with Alcohol inks.

Students need to bring: wood burner (several simple burners will be available if needed), gourd saw if you have one.

Instructor will supply: rest of supplies required to finish project.

Instructor: Pat Berkbigler

Friday All Day

Class Min: 5   Max: 12

Students will learn to carve filigree, ripples, and stipples before inlaying a cabochon. Instructor will demonstrate painting techniques to be completed at home. A working knowledge of your rotary carver is helpful.

Students need to bring: Prepared gourd that is at least 3/8” thick, rotary carver, dust mask, sanding materials, diamond files, pencil, eraser, needle shoe compass if you have one, carving burs (including: whatever you use to remove the outer skin, double cut CARBIDE cone and ball, diamond cylinder and ball, filigree bur, and any other burs you have in your box)

Instructor provides: Cabochon, ear protection, mop brush, double sided tape, needle shoe compass, handout.

Instructor: Nanita Pittington

Friday All Day

Class Min: 3   Max: 12

This workshop is designed for those with some experience coiling longleaf pine needles. However, if you're a fast learner and good with your hands, this should be within your grasp. In this class, you will start by making a normal coiled pine needle basket and then drop the coil down the sides of the basket in progress to create an organic fluid movement. This can be done multiple times in one basket and the outcome is always a surprise. You will not be able to finish this project in class, but will be provided with sufficient pine needles and sinew to complete your project, as well as a detailed tutorial, complete with picture instructions.

Students need to bring: One pair sturdy scissors and one pair small, embroidery type scissors

Instructor will provide: All supplies, including prepared basket centers, a choice of natural and dyed pine needles, color choice of artificial sinew for coiling, leather type sewing needle, magnet to prevent needle loss, and detailed tutorial.

Instructor: Kristin Johnson

Saturday 8 AM–noon

Class Max: 20

In this class you will create a wood burned gourd pendant using both sides of the gourd shard. We will use pyrography to create the lines then add alcohol inks for color. As time allows we will add hemp and beads and include some macrame to finish the necklace. I will also have available crackle medium to create texture on your gourd if desired.

Students need to bring: favorite wood burner (simple burners will be available for use)

Instructor will provide: other supplies needed for project

Instructor: Carolyn Owen

Saturday 1:30–5:30 PM

Class Min: 5  Max:10

Gourd students will learn techniques for laying out gourd designs. Basic wood burned lines will be drawn. We will be using ink dyes and textured paint to make the gourd look like a piece of pottery. A Quick wood rim will be attached. To finish our piece, we will be using a needle point applicator bottle to add botanicals with a textured paint. Most students should finish the project but if not, all will have a printed tutorial and skills to finish quickly at home.

Students need to bring: Wood burner with skew tip (I have 2 available), X-Acto knife, Heat tool (I have 2 available), flexible measuring tape, and a 1/8" wide flat paint brush (#2) and a 1/2" flat paint brush. If you are sensitive to strong odors a mask may be needed while working with Quick wood. Gloves if you need something other than size M.

Instructor will provide: Prepared gourd, Quick wood, paint, ink dyes and Q-Tip's. Various size tape, spray lacquer, gloves, wet wipes, precision tip applicator bottles. Tutorial.

Instructor: Pat Berkbigler

Saturday All Day

Class Min: 5   Max: 12

In this workshop you will learn a variety of carving and texturing techniques, including faux lace, zentangle, stippling, stones, and more. Participants may finish the project in class. If you don't finish you will have the skills and instructions to do so at home

Students need to bring: A gourd cut open and cleaned out (see picture), carver, wood burner, sand paper, riffler files (if you have them), pencil with eraser, paint brushes, dust mask, any craft store acrylic paints you may have, any burrs you have including: small wheel, inverted cone, small ball, filipoint (must have both diamond and carbide. I use double cut carbide).

Instructor will provide: Hand out with instructions, wood filler, craft paint, mop brush, paper towels, container to hold paint, water tub/paint brush holder

Instructor: Judi Fleming

Saturday All Day

In this class you'll learn all about ways to create various gourds lamps and simple night light patterns.  You'll learn about safety,  gourd choice, drill types,  cutting gourds, and various accessories likes beads, marbles, etc.  This is at least a 4 hour class but to finish the project it will take 8 hours. Student will learn everything in class to confidently finish their lamps at home.  

Student needs to bring: a mask, eye protection, an apron.

Instructor will provide: all other supplies needed.

Instructor: Lisa Minne'

Saturday All Day

Class Min: 5   Max: 12

This workshop includes making your own cabochons to lastly embellish the center of your canteen gourd vase with. Minimal woodburning, filigree carvings—partial and complete, learning gold leaf technique and embossing powder technique. Some students will be able to finish, most will complete this project at home easily after learning the skills and with the written tutorial. You will need to finish the inside of the gourd at home (ie. with paint or sand). Agate or wood bases are extra or you can bring your own.

Student needs to bring: Apron, gloves, mask, wood burner and skew tip, carver with as many burs as you own, a midway snack.

Instructor will provide: Canteen gourd (cut, cleaned and ready to go), cabochons ready to create on, ink dyes, spray lacquer, embossing powders, various leafing choices with adhesives, embellishment choices for the lid.  Glues, applicators provided.  

Instructor: Pat Berkbigler

Sunday 10:30am–2:30pm

Class Min: 5   Max: 12

Learn techniques that will take your wood burning skills to the next level. We will use cross hatch, pointillism, lines, zentangle, scumbling, and more to create a variety of hues and textures. You will go home with ideas for finishing the project and will be able to turn your gourd into a lidded container at home if you so choose. A working knowledge of your wood burner would be helpful.

Students need to bring: Canteen or tobacco gourd, pencil and eraser, variable heat wood burner, wood burning pens/tips to include a skew or spear, and at least one, but any ball tips you have.

Instructor will provide: Instructions so you can finish your project at home and turn it into a lidded gourd if you so choose, masking tape

Instructor: Kristin Johnson

Sunday 10:30am–2:30pm

Class Max: 15

This class will be an introduction to working with gourds with a focus on transforming a small bottle into a basket AND vase.  We will use pyrography and Calligraphy to decorate the gourds and finish with Alcohol inks.

Students need to bring: wood burner (several simple burners will be available if needed), gourd saw if you have one.

Instructor will supply: rest of supplies required to finish project.

Instructor: Judi Fleming

Sunday 10:30am–2:30pm

In this class you'll make a dozen adorable tiny chickens using jewelry gourds and QuikWood.  You'll learn both sculpting and painting techniques to give each one a unique personality. Be ready to have fun making their very own flock!

Student needs to bring: apron

Instructor will provide: all supplies needed

Instructor: Nanita Pittington

Sunday 10:30am–2:30pm

Class Min: 3   Max: 12

Learn the ins and outs of making a longleaf pine needle basket. You basket will be round, but once the base is finshed, you will be able to manipulate the sides to a shape of your choice. You will learn how to prepare your pine needles, coil them tightly using artificial sinew, manipulate the shape of your basket, and preserve the finished basket. You will not be able to complete this project in class, but will be provided with sufficient pine needles and sinew to complete your project, as well as a detailed tutorial.

Students need to bring: one pair of sturdy scissors and one pair small, embroidery type scissors

Instructor will provide: All other supplies, including prepared basket centers, a choice of both natural and dyed pine needles, color choice of both natural and dyed pine needles, color choice of artificial sinew for coiling, leather type sewing needle, magnet to prevent needle loss, and detailed tutorial.