Photo by: Cheree Federico Photography
Last year I began a new series of gourd that I call the “Strawberries.” These are made from apple gourds, and feature my starting design of leaves coming from the stem (making the lid), with varying patterns of carving, filigree drilling, pyrography, and alcohol inks, cascading down. I incorporate green and red to resemble a strawberry.
This is the second Strawberry. Keep your eyes open for more, they’ll come around sooner or later 😊🎨
Dawn (2016) – Gourd vase. This piece features various patterns rising in different directions, surrounded by a sun-like gold glow of the morning. The gourd as a whole does a great job representing my journey as an artist. I’ve taken various paths, trying different techniques, and (thankfully) am still rising, like the sun at Dawn.
This gourd is also the 2nd of 5 gourds that I refer to as the “Accidentals”, which were grown at my mom’s, from discarded seeds along an old fence row within a goat field. Thin, but special.
Dawn found it’s new home during the 2016 Artworks Members Only show.
Ascension (2016) (9″ x 9″) Hand drawn over Christmas break (2015) and completed in January 2016. This gourd features various patterns, ascending upwards with contrasting designs and divergent directions, symbolizing the varying paths I’ve taken while growing my skill and ability with gourd art. Embellished with pyrography, cutting, and carving.
This piece has been in two juried shows, while being awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2016 Artworks Members’ Juried Show (sponsored by the great Cheree Federico Photography).
Introducing “Hive.”
This gourd lamp, created in January 2016, sits 18 inches high (including stem) and is 7.5 inches at its widest point. The name comes from the center design, a series of hexagons drawn out while experimenting with various shapes. The name continues to fit once you notice the different patterns working together to create on work of art, with its inner light shining through.
Hive (2016) - unlit front
Hive (2016) - unlit back
Hive (2016) - lit front
Hive (2016) - lit back
Simeck's Lighthouse - 2015
Simeck’s Lighthouse was a custom ordered gourd for Christmas 2015. This is the second gourd from SnP Crafts that the recipients now have (and a big thank you to their daughter for ordering them). This piece focused on a popular landmark in their hometown of St. Joseph, Michigan. In St. Joseph there are two lighthouses, the main one that is represented on the front of the gourd, and a smaller one nearest to the water that is actually represented on the back of the gourd (and for some reason, I did not take a photo of it).
It’s a great feeling to be asked to create something like this, and like all of the others that were created to be a special Christmas present. I’m also thankful that the new owners are happy with their new creations from SnP Crafts.
There were several gourd pieces that were custom ordered for Christmas this year. This is the Christmas orders reveal #1: Kentucky Grapplers Gourd.
This piece was ordered by the father of the owner of Kentucky Grapplers, a martial arts education establishment in Bowling Green Kentucky.
Featuring the Kentucky Grapplers logo, with carving, burning, and variety of carved holes, allowing for a wonderful decorative gourd and potpourri holder.
Kentucky Grapplers Gourd 2015
Kentucky Grapplers Gourd 2015 (back)
Thank you 🙂
Most of my artwork takes meaning during and after creation, and this one grew into something that is being celebrated today. Giving Thanks. Traditional colors of red, orange, and yellow accompany patterns resembling feathers and encompassing pyrography, bringing all together and celebrating as one.
I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the continued support of the work that I do. I thoroughly enjoy creating gourd art, both big and small. Your purchases, kind words, and just checking out my work from time to time, are all very appreciated, and I am very thankful!
Thank you!
It’s beginning to be that time of the year! Well, at least for artist and crafts people. I’ve begun creating my little gourdaments (gourd ornaments) and thought I’d give you a peek. Each gourdament is hand drawn on a personally grown egg gourd, decorate with pyrography (wood burning) and a little color added with nail polish (yep, nail polish). After each is completed, I dip them twice in UV-Resistant wood finish to ensure a great, long lasting protection. Each is about the size of a store-bought large chicken egg, but they do vary somewhat.
The designs are all unique, with various symmetrical patterns working together to create a one of a kind treasure for the holidays.
Gourdaments can be custom ordered and personalized. If you like a certain style that you see me post, I can either recreate with your desired colors and personalization, or create a unique version similar to that. Just let me know.
I hope you enjoy 🙂
Gourdaments 2015
Gourdaments 2015
Gourdaments 2015
Gourdaments 2015
Gourdaments 2015
While most of my work can be custom ordered anyways, the Sanders Lamp is a good example of a custom gourd lamp with a family name, word, or whatever your mind can come up with. Most of the time I’ll have the center piece, accompanied by symmetrical designs encompassing the remainder of the piece, sometimes with color and sometimes without. The bases are made from recycled trees, currently I’m using a maple tree that had to be removed from my yard. The lights are typically a candelabra base (think night light) that sits in a hole in the center of the base.
If you’d like to order one, just let me know. They are fully customizable and able to be personalized. Prices depend on size and amount of detail, so prices can are able to match needed budgets. Feel free to look at pictures of previous lamps I’ve created for inspiration.
Thank you 🙂
Meet Red. Gourd art piece featuring carved patterns colored with red and silver inks, inlaid red stones, and pyrography patterns. Created in March/April 2015. Photography by Cheree Federico photography.
SnP Crafts 