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| Just a Bit About Me |
| gourds a growin' in one of my gardens |
| I live in the country, in the heart of New Mexico, (as you can see from the pic to the right, we are indeed a "little house on the prairie", surrounded by ranches, cows and all the wonderful sounds that go with it), with hubby and family. I have been a crafter/artist for more years than I care to share.....LOL. |
| I am a Christian who delights in serving the one true God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has taught me to trust, obey and rejoice in Him. It is He that brought me to making gourd bowls and for that and all that He is to me and my family, I give Him all the praise and Glory. Being an avid gardener, I discovered the amazing beauty of both the gourd plants and the gourds themselves just 3 years ago, when I decided to grow a few to see how they would do in my area. It wasn't until the following year, when I planted even more gourds, that, as these gourds began to dry and cure, the ideas began to flow. The gourd bowls that I am offering at this site are only the beginning. I have been perfecting ( with the Lord's help) different techniques, from carving to inlay to the wonderful results from using dyes. As I began to work with these magnificent natural vessel that God created, I became more and more amazed and enthralled with them. Only God could have thought up such a wonderous creation as these gourds that come in so many shapes and sizes. They offer a unique pallet for the creative mind. Gourds have been used for centuries as vessels of different kinds and it is to my delight that He led me to them and enables me to turn them into something even more beautiful than they already are. |
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| Working with Gourds |
| I begin by starting the plants in my little greenhouse. Then when it is time, plant them and lovingly tend to the plants. My efforts bring forth many gourds, all with different characteristics. After the first frost in the fall, the gourds have to dry ( cure) for a couple of months. Then I soak them to scrape the outer (thin) skin off ( a laborious task). then I cut each one according to my design and scrape & clean the interior. Once the intense work of preparing the gourds is done, then I can begin to turn them into works of art. Not only beautiful, but these gourd bowls are usful as decorative containers ( not intended for food). As I continue on my gourd quest, I will be making gourd boxes with hinged lids, too. Even considering gourd purses. I dye the gourds, and use different mediums ( such as acrylic paints, pyroengraving, and carving) and embellish them with natural leather, beads, dried flowers, ect. I am beginning to use more semi precious stones & beads and sterling silver ( copper,too). I will soon be making gourd creations with inlayed semi precious stones and emu egg shell. |
| Thank you so very much for viewing the work I have done so far and please return to see what is new as my/our art takes on new looks. E-Mail me at [email protected] (please copy and paste email addy.....internet email shortcuts do not seem to be working at many sites) God Bless, S.Phillips |
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| I soak the interior for easier scraping, but as you can see, this one was left to soak for quite awhile............LOL |
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| E mail : missrs50@ yahoo.com copy and paste addy internet email shortcuts are not working at many sites |
| "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of you heart" (Psalm 37:4)(NIV) |
