Gourd Art Festival
So, a friend of my husband's called him up this weekend and insisted that he absolutely must attend the Gourd Art Festival in Fallbrook. Figuring it might be fun to do something a little different, we headed down there on Sunday.
It was really quite nice. It wasn't all that far away, and the drive was very pleasant once you get into the hills above Temecula. Lots of shady trees, ranch estates, and orchards. The art festival was kinda neat. It's amazing what people do with these gourds! The variety of artwork ranged from musical instruments to traditional Chinese painting to high-end gallery pieces inlaid with semi-precious stones. In addition, they had booths set up where you could purchase all the necessary tools and art supplies (inks, dyes, etc.), as well as books and art designs to use.
Another fun thing at the festival was a craft booth, where, for a very reasonable fee, you could pick up a gourd and make some art with it. They provided everything you need, from burning in the design, to applying the dyes, to coating it with the finishing wax. Best of all, they had folks there to show you how it's done. I didn't try it out this time, but I think if we go next year, I'd like to. Definitely, if you've never done it before, this is the perfect opportunity.
Being held at the actual gourd farm, they had bins and bins of raw gourds of all sizes for purchase. I was amazed that there exists enough of a market for gourds... which are not edible... to sustain this whole farm!
The piece shown above was one I particularly liked. I love the iridescent peacock-green finish, and the malachite stone in a copper setting. The top is embellished with beadwork.
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.