Calendar

Upcoming WGS Class Descriptions 
 

Saturday, July 10, 10am - 1pm - Gourd Jewelry with Barb Rothwell  You'll learn to transform a gourd shard into a beautiful piece of wearable art! All materials supplied. Location: Fitchburg, WI. Fee: $20 for members, $30 for non-members.  To register contact Barb at 608.835.7072 or email cvwrr@charter.net
Saturday, July 17, 9 am – noon - Woodburning/PyroCarving a Lidded Gourd Bowl with Cathy Frosch-Hellenbrand Students will trace leaves onto their gourds then learn the techniques to woodburn them. The gourd will become a lidded bowl by pyrocarving along the leaf edges. Students will learn two great techniques in one class! Stains will be available to use on the bottom of the gourd bowl and/or on the leaves if desired. Students must bring their own woodburner and a gourd of any shape and size they choose.  Location: Cathy's house in Lodi, WI. (Directions will be sent to class registrants.) Class fee: $30 for WGS members, $40 for non-members.  This class is appropriate for beginners as well as intermediate and advanced woodburners. . For more information contact terri at 608.437.1944 or email thegourdgirl@thegourdgirl.com
Sunday, August 8, Noon - 4pm - Making Gourd Masks with terri schmit  You’ll start out with a gourd half, do some minor prepping and start adding features. This is a fun “out of the box” experience!  All materials are included. Students must bring a woodburning tool with a skew (carving) tip. Wear old clothes as the color products  may stain. Location: The Gourd Guy Farm, Blue Mounds, WI. Fee $35 for members, $45 for non-members. To register contact terri at 608.437.1944 or email thegourdgirl@thegourdgirl.com
Saturday, August 21, 9 am – noon - Gourd Dream Catcher with Cathy Frosch-Hellenbrand In this class you will cut the top and clean the inside of the gourd and cut the hole(s) for your dream catcher. Stains will be available if you decide to dye the outside of the gourd before making the dream catcher. Students will use waxed linen to create a dream catcher in their gourd; Cathy will also talk about other products that are often used, such as gold or silver lamee. Students must bring their own gourd, size should be about 5-6 inches in diameter. Location: Cathy's house in Lodi, WI. (Directions will be sent to class registrants.) Class fee: $30 for WGS members, $40 for non-members.  This class is appropriate for all levels. For more information contact terri at 608.437.1944 or email thegourdgirl@thegourdgirl.com
Saturday, September 11, 9 am – noon - Beginning Carving with Gary Kvalheim  Learn to use a rotary carving tool and the various bits, how to properly hold the tool, and proper speeds to use.  We will be first practicing on pieces of gourds which will be supplied and then advance to designing and carving leaves onto the gourd. Gourds will not be completed during this class, however time permitting, we will discuss the various methods of coloring and finishing the gourd which each participant can do in their own studio at a later time. Each student should bring:  1 medium sized bird house or goose neck gourd, Rotary carving tool (i.e., Dremel),"Tool Shop" 20 piece diamond bit set (No. 242 - 3193) sold at Menards for about $12.00, Lead pencil, Colored pencil, dust mask (optional), extension cord. Location: The Gourd Guy Farm, Blue Mounds. Class fee: $35 for WGS members, ($45 for non-members). Class limit: 10.  For more information contact terri at 608.437.1944 or email thegourdgirl@thegourdgirl.com
Saturday, September 11, 1pm - 4pm  - Intermediate Carving with Gary Kvalheim  Students for this class should be familiar with holding and basic carving with a rotary tool.  We will be designing and carving leaves and flowers onto the gourds, with some cut outs for additional effects.  Gourds will be colored and finished by the participants in their own studios.  Students must bring 1 medium sized bird house or goose neck gourd, Rotary carving tool(i.e. Dremel), "Tool Shop" 20 piece diamond bit set (No. 242 - 3193) sold at Menards for about $12.00, Lead pencil, Colored pencil, Dust Mask (optional), Extension cord. Location: The Gourd Guy Farm, Blue Mounds. Class fee: $35 for WGS members, $45 for non-members. Class limit: 10 students. For more information contact terri at 608.437.1944 or email thegourdgirl@thegourdgirl.com
Saturday, October 16,  9am-4pm  Annual Gourd Guy Open House and WGS Fall Gourd Gathering  Join The Gourd Guy and The Gourd Girl for a fun day filled with gourds, gourds, gourds! Classes in the morning, potluck and more gourds in the afternoon! This is a Gourd Guy and Wisconsin Gourd Society sponsored event. For more information visit  www.wisconsingourdsociety.org or call 608.437.1944.
Saturday, October 16, 9 am – noon - Gourd Coloring Techniques with Gary Kvalheim  This class will be using two different types of dyes as well as paint and metallic powders. In order to achieve various shades of coloring, both on the inside and outside of the gourd, we will discuss the different techniques of thinning the dyes and using them at full strength. The use of white Gesso artist paint and its application for contrast and highlighting will be included in the class. We will also cover two types of finishes, polyurethane and Envirotex epoxy high gloss; how to apply them and which one to use for the best result. Time permitting, I will demonstrate the use of leather as a base for the gourd. Students should bring an unclean gourd – the dirt should be washed off as well as any skin that readily comes off, but the gourd should not be scrubbed, as leaving the skin on the gourd is desirable in achieving color contrast. Gourds will also be available for purchase at the class. All other materials will be provided. Location: The Gourd Guy Farm, Blue Mounds. Class fee: $35 for WGS members, $45 for non-members. Class limit: 10 students.  For more information contact terri at 608.437.1944 or email thegourdgirl@thegourdgirl.com

We welcome suggestions for classes and are always looking for instructors. Please direct all questions or suggestions to the Education Committee at thegourdgirl@yahoo.com