Rocky Mount Gourds & Treasures of Louisiana

We had wonderful weather here today, in N.W. Louisiana, it went from a cold 20's to possible 54 degrees.  We should be so thankful for this.  I spoke with a gentleman today that lives in northern Arkansas, he said it looks like a war zone there because of the ice storm.  They have been without power for several days now, and not sure when it will be back on.  This really makes one appreciate things more!!

To view the image for this project, simply right click on the image and click on 'view image" and the image will pop up. 

I want to give you an idea for a crafting that would be good with children of many ages using the Buffalo Gourd.  You can create Indian Rattlers, either large or small ones for Christmas Decorations.  Children of all ages enjoy this one.  All you need is a small round gourd, Buffalo, we call it.  If not a Buffalo, you may use a Dipper Gourd.  Cut a hole in the gourd to fit a stick, possibly an inch wide.  You may clean the seed out (and save them for planting) and put in some small pebbles.  Glue the stick into the gourd through the hole that you cut.  You, or the children may decorate the gourd with acrylic paints, or marking pens.  To preserve the design, later you may use a light misting of polyurethane spray.  If you would like, you may further embellish the stick (handle) and gourd with leather lacing and feathers.

This is a great project for Boy Scouts too!!  I used it often in Arts In Education in the schools in Louisiana.  I am adding an image of a couple of completed ones so you may see.
For now, have a good evening,
The Gourd Lady of Rocky Mount!!

Sorry for not posting for a while, but we were clearing an area behind one of the barns that was overgrown, and the bamboo kept coming up inside of the barn.BAMBOO!!!!I love bamboo, but

My husband has no appreciation of it when it is so invasive.

When he planted it, I could just see all types of things I could do with it.I even tried torching it one evening.Had more fun, but it actually didn’t bend as I wanted it too.I see all types of elements from nature that I can use to further embellish my Fine Art Gourds.I do a lot of weaving onto my gourds to create a Gourdsket (combination of a gourd bowl and basket).One particular evening, my husband had

gone to a meeting and I saw my chance to play.That is when I made small strips from the bamboo.I had been working on a bamboo design on a gourd and wanted to use real bamboo around the top.

It took much patience, and it almost worked.I finally completed the gourd in pyroengraving and staining…maybe I will try bending bamboo again someday.For now it will be used for bean poles and tomato stakes!!

Now, it is time to get back to the Purple Martins.I noticed on my calendar that I saw the first scout

on February 17^th last year.Checked the Purple Martin Conservatory website and there have been

sightings in Shreveport, LA, just 30 or so miles southwest of Rocky Mount, on the other side of the Red River.

If any of you have any input you would like to make about your Purple Martins, or pictures you would like to share, just email them to me here on the Local Harvest website.And don’t forget, it is not too late to order your Purple Martin Gourd Houses.

For now,

The Gourd Lady of Rocky Mount, Louisiana, that is!!