In this class, you will take a cut mini jewelry gourd and attach a goat skin drum head to it using sinew, by the same methods used if you were making a large drum! Then we will add embellishments, such as beads and feathers to create a beautiful necklace or exotic ethnic Christmas ornament. Students will learn two types of drums as shown. You will have the supplies and time to make several to take home. This is a great future project for the right shaped scraps! 

Required Supply List: scissors, jewelry gourds cut like the picture, artificial sinew, sharp embroidery needle with hole big enough for sinew, necklace cord & clasp of your choice (not required), enough goat skin (drum head) for what you hope to make (4 or 5-inch circle per drum).

Instructor offers a convenient kit of everything required for one drum for $5.00 (includes the cut gourd). Students are welcome to purchase several kits and make as many as they like. For those who want to bring class supplies, whole mini gourds, large goat skins, rolls of sinew, and needles are available from the on-site vendors. (Gourds can be cut at the workstation with help from Pat Patterson, before or during class.)  More of all class supplies will be available onsite.

Karen is happy to advise you on supplies: chehawknapper@bellsouth.net or 229-432-7109.

Create an interesting natural rim out of kudzu vine. Learn how to choose and prepare the vine. Instructor will share trivia about kudzu and its origins while you work. These techniques could work with other unruly vines, like grape or honeysuckle.

Required Supply List: a gourd container, cleaned and cut, either straight or curved (no sharp turns recommended). Gourd opening should be no larger than 12” inches across. Feel free to add color and clear finish before class so that it’s dry and ready to weave. Bring sturdy wire snips, garden clippers or heavy duty scissors.

Optional: favorite colors of artificial sinew and/or waxed linen. Non-slip fabric/plastic for your lap.

Working with PyroPaper, students will learn techniques for woodburning this tree frog on a gourd. Learn several different methods of achieving texture and shading. The instructor will have other designs to choose from as well. Impressive project when combined with a decorative rim! Handout and extra PyroPaper designs provided.

Required Supply List: one cleaned gourd of any shape and size (large enough for a 4- or 6-inch square drawing to be woodburned on it) cut or uncut, frosty clear or masking tape, favorite paper scissors, and an adjustable temperature woodburner (Detail Master, Burnmaster, Razertip, Colwood) with a skew tip (blade-like, not ball tip). Handheld Walnut Hollow types will not work with PyroPaper.