• Gourd Competition: general information and rules
• Workshops
• Vendor information and application
• Lodging: We have a block of rooms reserved for the IL Gourd Society at the Courtyard by Marriott Highland Park.  Two queen beds for $79 per night.  Mention the Illinois Gourd Society when registering.  Their phone is 847-831-3338, and they are at 1505 Lake Cook Road, Highland Park only about a mile from the Chicago Botanic Garden.

Friday, September 16 – AM Classes
 

Woodburned Gourd Vase- Jackie Kendall 9 a.m. - noon, in Annex 1 Enjoy working with gourd and create this cut gourd vase. Students will use colored pencils and woodburners to enhance hard shelled gourds with fall flowers and leaves.  Some woodburners available to use during class, you may bring one if you like.  Maximum number of students: 1 , Minimum 15  Cost per student $45.00

 

Gorgeous Gourd Vessel: Sandy Bulgrin 9 a.m. - noon, in Annex 2 Starting with a gourd that has been cleaned, dyed and drilled you will learn to coil with Danish Cord and waxed linen to create a one of a kind gourd vessel. Add yarn, feathers, dead and dried materials to the finished project.  We will discuss growing, cleaning and dying of the gourds. All supplies included. Level: Beginner Maximum number of students; 12 minimum 1 Cost per student $45.00

Friday, September 16 – PM Classes
 

Autumn Leaves – Sandy Bulgrin 1 - 4 p.m., in Annex 2 students will take a cleaned gourd and transfer a leaf design onto it. Then using a variety of tools, mini saw, wood burner, and some great new options for adding color to the leaf designs. Students will create a wonderful fall motif.  Come, enjoy and create! All supplies included Maximum number of students; 12 minimum 1 Cost per student $50.00

Saturday, September 17 – AM Classes
 

Family Class – Rhonda Adair 9 a.m. - noon, in the Plant Science Lab What a gift to give – or keep! Decorate a gourd vase with your hand prints. Add your names with markers. Each family or group will get a large cut/cleaned gourd for the base for your project and a gourd shaped hang tag made from gourd shell as the finishing touch. Since this is a family class, seeds from your gourd will be included. Everything supplied. I suggest you wear sleeves that can be pushed up. Your vase will only take about an hour to decorate so your start time can vary a bit from stated start time; keep in mind the end time is as stated. 3 hours or less. Max 8 Min 1 Walk-ins encouraged Cost per family $25

 

Make a gourd birdhouse. - Jackie Kendall 9 a.m. - noon, in the Design Studio Your yard will be a welcoming sight for the birds with this great birdhouse. Using an apple shaped gourd you will paint the perfect place for your backyard friends to move right into. Complete with hanger. Please bring some paint brushes. Level: Beginner Maximum number of students: 1 Minimum 20  Cost $45.00

Saturday, September 17 – PM Classes
 

Embroidering a Gourd -  Bonnie Cox 1 - 4 p.m., in the Plant Science Lab Using basic embroidery stitches on a gourd, create an unusual and beautiful bowl. The instructor provides a cut and cleaned gourd, embroidery thread, a tapestry needle,  written instructions, and use of an awl which may be purchased. Students to bring scissors.  Level:  beginner to advanced.  Maximum number of students: 15, minimum 1.  Cost $50.

 

Silk Fusion on Gourds –Sue Cutter 1 - 4 p.m., in Annex 1 Colorful dyed silk can be fused to gourds to create a beautiful new surface, which can then be further embellished if you wish.  This class will teach the fusion process as students complete a bangle bracelet, a shard for use as pin or pendant, and a small whole gourd ornament.  Your color choice of mawatas (opened out silk cocoons) and rovings will be available, as well as the gourd pieces.  There will be a handout for you to take home. All materials will be provided.  No previous experience with gourds is necessary. Maximum number of students 10; minimum 1 Cost $60.00

 

Memory Gourd Class – Linda Eichwald 1 - 4 p.m., in the Design Studio  In this class we will be making a container gourd to hold items that have special connections to a loved one,or pet. We will be applying photos of the person or pet you are remembering on the outside of the gourd using a water slide paper. They are wonderful gifts for someone who may have a friend or family member in the service, or to hold mementos of of those we have lost. They are also a wonderful vessel to hold your pets ashes.  Students need to bring--  *One or two photos of the subject of their memory gourd *Trinkets,  small toys, or other  items they might like to attach to the outside of the gourd .  The gourd and other supplies will be provided. Level: Beginner Maximum number of students: 12; minimum 1 Cost: $40.00

Sunday, September 18 - AM  Class
 

Gourd “Roll” Bowl - Rhonda Adair 9 a.m. - noon, in the Plant Science Lab A gourd roll bowl is just a shallow gourd bowl for dinner rolls or even keys & pocket stuff. The class is 3 hours long or as short as you want if you don’t have the time. You’ll learn about gourds and get the “feel” of them as you decorate your bowl with a seagrass rim. There will be gourd seeds & colorful gourd pieces to decorate with if you want to add them. This class is no stress laid back fun. All the time consuming prep work is already done. Everything furnished. No special equipment 3 hours or less. Max 10 Min 1 Walk-ins welcome Cost: $20