Class description

 

Have you ever admired the intricate beauty of hand-tooled leather — the rich texture, the flowing patterns, the artisan craftsmanship — and wished you could create something just like it? Now you can, on a gourd!
 

Join us for a hands-on Thunder Gourd Workshop, where participants of all skill levels will transform a raw gourd into a stunning, one-of-a-kind work of art that mimics the look of classic tooled leather. You might just surprise yourself with what you can create!

In this workshop, you’ll learn the foundational techniques of gourd artistry — from safely carving and drilling your gourd to decorating it with your own personal flair. Whether you’re picking up a gourd tool for the first time or looking to refine your craft, this workshop welcomes everyone to the table.

What You’ll Learn:

• Carving Techniques — Learn how to use a carver or Dremel tool to etch and sculpt your gourd’s surface, creating the dimensional, relief-style patterns that give tooled leather its signature look.
• Design & Creativity — From flowing florals to geometric borders to Western-inspired motifs, you’ll discover how to plan and carve a design that reflects your own artistic vision.

No leather required — just a gourd, tools and your imagination!  ​

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What the instructor will provide

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• A class-ready gourd ​

• The Thunder Gourd mechanism.

• Paints, dyes and all items needed to finish your masterpiece.

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What you are required to bring​

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• A rotary tool (or Dremel tool) and burrs

• Wood burner and wood burning pens (a hobby store wood burner is ok to use)

• Sandpaper

• Any other gourd tools you like to use when carving/cutting

• A dust mask is required to be worn when carving 

• Eyeglasses or safety glasses are required to be worn when carving 

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Class Cancellation Policy

 

If you need to cancel this class, you MUST contact us before August 30, 2026 in order to receive a refund. Note that NGS will withhold $10 per cancelled class to cover processing fees. To cancel, call Patti Jo Newsom @ 817-917-7873 or email nevadagourdsociety@gmail.com.

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If a class does not meet the minimum number of students by August 30th, the class will be cancelled, you will be contacted, and your full registration fee will be refunded. All classes are subject to change.

 

About the Instructor

 

Bonnie joined the Nevada Gourd Society upon its inception and has been involved ever since. She enjoys attending classes and learning new techniques. It has been a great avenue to work on her creative inner self. She enjoys the challenges of incorporating different mediums into her work. And she revels in sharing her knowledge with anyone interested.

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Questions?

 

Email Bonnie at:  b.kennedy1254@yahoo.com