TVGS Gourd Patch Developments

As the TVGS membership continues to grow so does the need for “Gourd Patches”. A “Gourd Patch” is a group of individuals that meets on a regular basis to work on and talk gourds. In the past few weeks we have developed a list of members by counties.  Our strongest counties are Bledsoe with 8 members, Cumberland with 7 members, Montgomery & Wilson with 5, Campbell, Hamilton, Dekalb, Bradley, Knox and Sevier with 4 members and several others with 1 to 3 members each. If anyone is interested in starting a “Gourd Patch” in these areas fill out the form included in this newsletter. We are currently working on trying to get “packets” together to aide in the development of “Gourd Patches”. Each packet will include enough materials and instructions to help get the “Gourd Patch” group started.
 

The Tojo Creek Ranch Gourd Patch met Saturday, March 1, 2008 at our farm, the Tojo Creek Ranch.   Max Osborne led us all in creating a stone cottage with thatched roof birdhouse.  It was a 1 day project.  Max did a superb job leading us on this one!
Our gourd patch is successful due to the KISS principal.  Keep It Simple Smarty!   (We know people used to say KISS stood for Keep It Simple Stupid, but nobody in the Tojo Creek Ranch Gourd Patch is stupid, so it must really stand for Keep It Simple Smarty.)
We encourage members to join the TVGS and AGS, but don’t require it.  We don’t collect any dues.  We don’t do food.  Everybody brings their own food and refreshment and we encourage everybody to take a turn at showing the rest of us some technique or process that they do.  We start each meeting by deciding where and when the next meeting will be and who will teach what.  We then do our show and tell (and we don’t limit it to gourd arts and crafts.)  And we get started with the day’s project.
As much as anything else, it is a chance for folks with a mutual interest in gourds to get together and be sociable.  It is really the social time that brings us together and makes it a fun day!
We met again Saturday, April 5, to create a folk-art shore-bird, made from a dried spoon or pear gourd.  Yes, we know spoon and pear gourds are ornamentals and therefore, when they do dry, they are very thin shelled.  With care, they can still make beautiful art.  Just look at the picture!
Barry Louwerse led us on this project.  He said this was the first time he tried to teach others, but he did such a great job, we don’t believe it.
Our May 3 meeting will be at Molly and Bill’s home at Center Hill Lake, outside Smithville.  Molly will lead us in finishing the inside of a gourd bowl using fabric.  She will also teach us how to finish the outside of a bowl using paper.  Once again some gourd people will get together and enjoy the camaraderie.
If you want to start a gourd patch in your area, don’t wait for someone else to do it.  Just do it!

A few Gourd Patches have been developed across the state last year. Patch Leaders listed below either already have a patch started or are in the process of starting one:
Lisa Roberson--Pikeville, TN area 423-304-5637
John Swendiman--Lebanon, TN area 615-449-0335
Marsha Cain--Caryville, TN area 865-426-6466

Start you own patch
Would you like to try something new? Would you like to have a Gourd Patch in your area? Join a group or develop your own group to talk about crafting, growing, manipulating (tying knots, etc.), or just to show and tell. It will be gourd fun and fellowship all together. We need Gourd Patches to sprout up all over the state to help spread the exciting world of gourds. This is a great way to show support to the Society. To get started, send the information requested to:

Tennessee Volunteer Gourd Society
938 Porch Rock Road
Pikeville, TN 37367.

Name of Person making request:___________________________________________
Date of request:________________________
Patch Name:____________________________________________________________
Person that will act as Patch leader:__________________________________________
Address of leader:________________________________________________________
Telephone #:____________________________________
E-mail:_________________________________________
County where patch is to be located:_________________
How often/when will patch meet:___________________________________________
Nearest town:__________________________
Number of persons showing interest:________
Major interest: Growing:_____ Crafting:________ Both:________ Other:___________
Guidelines:
1. All patches are to operate under the Tennessee Volunteer Gourd Society purpose and guidelines.
2. Group leader is to take notes( # of members attending, what was done, next meeting date, etc.) and report them to the Editor and President.
3. Have fun and be creative.