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Note: If using Outlook click the above bar where it says “Click to download photos” The photos are the best part.
 This was the first in a Medieval Hunt series by Jennifer Avery. This gourd is an award winner & was sold to a private collector. In This Issue: The purpose of art is the hope that it will evoke a substantial, positive response in the person viewing it. This month's featured artist, Jennifer Avery, accomplishes just that. Her work is filled with detail that draws the eye in, and at the same time, tells a story through images rather than words. Please welcome Jennifer; her art and creativity is an inspiration to all.
 Bird Ornament by Jennifer Avery
On August 21 we are pleased to have Inuit artist / workshop instructor Elizabeth Gorden gracing the Northern Dipper workbenches. Elizabeth was born in Frobisher Bay, Northwest Territories (now know as Iquluit, Nunavut) and who now lives in Ontario. Her work is a reminder of the time she spent with her Grandmother, great aunts and other Elders in the community. She states that as a child she would marvel at the creases and folds of their faces and was amazed at how soft their skin was. She would sit and listen to the stories of her family and learn the history and customs of the Inuit people. When she began to work with gourds it only seemed natural to put a face on them..."Just to look at them brings memories flooding back..." Join Elizabeth and learn these unique techniques in gourd crafting. (Workshop listed in right hand column.)
 Mini gourds in August
August! A bit of a holiday for the gourd growers although an eagle eye still has to be kept out looking for signs of powdery mildew. In our segment "The Art of Growing Gourds" solutions for this fungal disease will be suggested.
Jennifer Avery
 Jennifer Avery with her daughter at Tucquan Glen. In a round about way you can thank Jennifer's daughter for the journey into gourd art. After all, if Jennifer hadn't been pregnant, and if she hadn't decided to take a hiatus from the family's budding mural painting business (scaffolding is hard to climb when you are seven months pregnant), she would have never come across Ginger Summit's book "The Complete Book of Gourd Craft." The chances are she would have not stopped at the farm five minutes down the road to buy her first hard-shell gourds and she would have not caught that gourd bug. Looking back Jennifer remembers how her family and friends all got gourd bowls for Christmas that year, and after that she just kept on making them. After a while s  Seahorse Purse Jenn has used inlace with metal flakes to give this purse a little extra punch. Jennifer's first love was painting, tiny water- colours to huge wall-size paintings, but since she discovered gourds her paintbrushes and oils have been laid to rest. Inspired by the outdoors Jennifer finds that nature has a calming effect on her, a mood which is reflected in the nature notebook she carries under her arm. It is filled with drawings, words and ideas; many of which end up on the shell of a gourd. Many times what she experiences will be the impetus for a gourd design. Sometimes she will hear a lyric in a song that carries strong visuals and it will end up on a gourd. Obsessions with certain subjects lead to experimentation; the current being marine animals. Jennifer is working on several gourds now; some are more "serious" and some are "fun" Celtic designs inspired by ocean animals.
 When speaking about various techniques Jennifer points out that pyrography is by far her favorite. She started out with painting on gourds because it was comfortable, but after learning that gourds could be burned, she started to really experiment. Her husband bought her a good pyrography tool and it was then that Jennifer began to develop the techniques she uses now.
Jennifer has exhibited up to 6 art shows per year but now will only do 2. It is important to her that her work stays fresh plus it avoids the pressure of just cranking the stuff out. She firmly states, "I want the quality to be the best and that takes time. And I want to have fun too."
Fun is also found at the PA Gourd Society. As a founder Jennifer spread the word that there was a need. Within two months they were getting ready to become official. Still acive she now serves as their website manager and membership secretary.
 Follow The Leader
Jennifer lives with her husband and her 10-year old daughter, plus two crazy cats, an anti-social house rabbit, and a goldfish that she thinks might be immortal. Outdoor pets includes hummingbirds and lots of other birds and squirrels too. Fishing on their little boat is a favorite family activity as is hiking and gardening (her daughter grows the prettiest flowers!).
 Jennifer sells her work through her website and on Etsy.
To view more of Jennifer's work click here:
and
Thank you Jennifer for sharing your work with us. Your art is beautiful and we are very impressed that you are learning the fiddle! Good luck with your shows. Carolyn and Linda
Rimming with Philodendron Leaves
by Caroyn Cooper
Tutorial: Rimming with one of Nature's most beautiful and natural products
 The philodendron sheath is what protects emerging new leaves of the philodendron plant. As the leaf grows out, the sheath is no longer needed. It dries and awaits some gourd artist to claim it.
These beautiful reddish brown sheaths become soft and pliable after being soaked in water for 10 minutes and are perfect for twining, plaiting and stitching. I like to add a tablespoon or so of fabric softener to the water. It seems to keep the leaves a little softer once they dry.
What you need:
- A gourd, cut, cleaned and stained how you desire
- Three philodendron sheaths
- Irish linen thread
- Blunt tipped needle
-Tape (I use painters tape but masking tape will work too)
Note: To get this rich coloured gourd I first applied Memories Black Ink. Once dried I then went over it with Memories Ink Cherry Red.
 Embellishments can be anything and everything!
I used seed pods, beads, gourd seeds, feathers and a king pod palm for this project.
 A walk in the woods can produce a large number of materials which can be used as embellishments.
 Philodendron
For more information on philodendron sheaths click here: http://www.northerndipper.com/
embellishments.php To view Irish waxed linen thread click here:
To learn more about Memories Inks click here:
15% off all dried gourds this month (excluding minis)...perfect timing for the gathering of supplies for this and other fall projects. (Farm visits only) Click here for details:
The Art of Growing Gourds
 This letter could not be more timely. It nicely describes our topic of the month - powdery mildew.
Dear Northern Dipper,
I have had a very successful year but am noticing that some of my gourd leaves have white spots. I wasn't too concerned at first but the spots seem to be spreading. What is it and should I be worried?
Hamish Smith - Brandon, Manitoba
Hi Hamish,
What you are describing is powdery mildew, a fungus which are caused by spores which travel with the wind. It first appears as small whitish-gray fuzzy spots on the leaves and if not checked will spread, covering the plant and eventually killing it. It occurs more often in the midsummer humidity and affects some gourd varieties more than others.
 Powdery mildew is hard to control once it takes hold.
The best way to deal with powdery mildew is at the first sign mix together 1 Tablespoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap into one gallon of water. Using a spray bottle saturate both sides of the leaves.
Tips:
1.) Water your gourd plants well the night before you spray.
2.) Do not apply in the full hot sun as it may burn the wet leaves.
3.) Keep the ground around the base of the plants clear of dried leaves and debris.
4.) Spray once per week until under control.
Good luck Hamish, send us some photos of your crop!
Carolyn and Linda
Underneath these vines lie hundreds of gourds. Dear Carolyn
Hi there
What is the difference between the Danish cord and the sea grass? Can they be dyed? Stephanie Bowes - Seattle, WA Hi Stephanie, Danish cord is a man-made product, while sea grass is a natural grass that is hand twisted. Both look great as rimming materials for gourds. Sea grass does dye nicely using hot baths of "Ritz" dyes. The Danish cord is best coloured using spray paint. I find the florists spray paint is better to use as it leaves a less brittle finish. Thanks for your letter Stephanie - Good question! Carolyn Dear Carolyn, I am a first time grower. Some of my "baby" gourds have turned brown on the vine. Why is this and can I save them? Sonya Goodbrand - Denver, Colorado Hello Sonya, In my first year of growing I came across this and wondered exactly the same thing. I learned that these small brownies are gourds that have not been pollinated. And despite our work with the paintbrush (helping Mother Nature along) there will always be some that don't make it. In a nutshell; no they can't be saved. Such is life! Carolyn Last But Not Least:
New Products At Northern Dipper 1.) Natural Ostrich Feathers: Lengths are approx. 14" and are natural grey with brown and black flecks. Sells 5 to a package.
2.) King Palm Pods: These natural pods are striking when used as a rimming material. Soak them for 10 minutes and they become super flexible and easy to handle. Another bonus - they can be dyed! Sold by the bunch.
 3.) Seed Pods: A natural embellishment for rims, masks and gourd sculpture. Comes four per pack.
To view these products click here:
Looking Ahead: September 2010
 We are happy to have with us Georgia artist Sandy Taylor. Floral designer, home decorator, jewelry maker and illustrator are just a few of the accomplishments that fills her resume. In 2004, her obsession with gourds began. Immediately intrigued, she viewed them as a canvas for multi-media experimentation. Next month we will have photos of her latest works which are being entered in the Grand masters Division at the August Georgia Gourd Show . Good luck Sandy! We wish you the best. September is when people get back to a routine of life and for many, that means bringing out the woodburners, paint and gourds. To help you along our gracious Ms. Cooper will be writing another tutorial for you. Don't know what it is yet but we are sure it will be good! Harvesting is the next big event in the life of a gourd grower so we will touch on the truths and the fables of the harvest. For example: Is it true that if you drill a hole in a green gourd it will dry faster? You'll find out in the September issue of Gourd Fever. In the meantime soak in the summer pleasures of August. See you next month...Carolyn Cooper and Linda Bond PS Comments, ideas, stories and photos are happily received at info@northerndipper.com |
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