Post Trunk Show

The trunk show went well (see my table set-up to the left). I sold several jewelry pieces. A number of people signed my guest register and/or took my business card. And, I got to be in a beautiful environment with positive people.

Gourd Jewelry Creation

Necklace, Sasha, made of gourd, pearls, cooper, and brass. Chain: 24 inches. Pendant: 3 x 1 3/4 x 3 inches. 2009.

Necklace design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

SNAG Membership

I just became a member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG). Why SNAG?

Well, I have subscribed to a number of art/jewelry magazines over the years including SNAG's Metalsmith magazine. Metalsmith is the one magazine that keeps me coming back. It is inspirational, innovative and filled with stunning images of exceptional works. So, when I received a magazine subscription renewal form in the mail with a great deal on membership I had to go for it.

Gourd Trivia

Did you know . . .

1. The gourd was used as the official currency of Haiti in the early 1800s. Even today, the standard coin of Haiti is called a gourde.

2. Gourds are used as a source of food in many cultures including India, Thailand and Asia.

3. The ancient Hawaiians had over 40 uses for the gourd.

4. The Fulani people of West Africa have at least 20 different terms referring to the size and use of the gourd.

5. The gourd is used as metaphor for the Big Dipper, a constellation that points the way North. The song, Follow the Drinking Gourd, was created by enslaved African Americans. The lyrics were coded directions explaining how and when to escape from the southern slave states to the North.

With Sincerest Gratitude . . .

This year would not have been possible without the support and encouragement from so many people. With sincerest gratitude, I want to thank the following:

Allyson G., Billie V., Candelaria S., Casey G., Daniella A., My Facebook Fan Page Fans, Jimmy L., Juanita D., Kay B., Keita, Lisa C., Lost Cities Beads and Staff, Maurice, Michael W., Opium Gallery and Staff, Paul T., Rosa Maria D., Sally, The Shepherdess Bead Store and Staff, Suleiman A., Tanis S., The Urban Seed and Staff, Vichai S., Welburn Gourd Farm and William W.

Gourd Recipes

In a number of cultures, gourds are consumed as a source of food. I have wondered how gourds are prepared for eating until I came across these two recipes.

Gourd Cool

Gourds are a marvel. They grow in an array of shapes, sizes and textures. Here is a wonderful photo of snake gourds. How cool and amazing!

Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kwalbolt/ / CC BY 2.0

Welburn Gourd Farm Blog Features My Art

My gourd vessel creation, Nina (teapot) is featured on the Welburn Gourd Farm Blog. Check me out. You can find my work about mid-page.

Gourd Jewelry Trunk Show

I am showcasing my distinctive gourd jewelry collection at an EXCLUSIVE TRUNK SHOW for one day only! Get 10 percent off selected items. Enter to win one of two $5.00 Gift Certificates. Also, a percentage of the proceeds will go to a charity of my choice.

Please stop by and bring your friends to Opium Gallery at 425 Market Street, San Diego, CA 92101 on Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.

Gourd Figure Creation

Figure, Little Spirit Head I, made of gourd, wood and feathers. Measurements: 13 x 12 x 12 inches. 2004.

In a previous blog post, I wrote about playing an Africanism forward. My figure, Little Spirit Head I, is another example of playing an Africanism forward. The figure is my rendition of a Yoruba custom of making small votive images for Eshu (also called Elegbara or Legba).

Eshu is spirit or deity (sometimes called an Orisha). He represents the crossroads. He offers the potenial for change, of choice.

Figure creation by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2004 and 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Gourd Figure Creation

Figure, Sister Sarah, made of gourd, paper, wood, fabric, wire, beads, feathers, rhinestone brooch, and silk flowers. Measurements: 13 x 12 x 12 inches. 2004.

Figure creation by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2004 and 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Gourd Jewelry Creation

Ring, Polonia, made of gourd, fabric and beads. Measurements: 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 2 1/8 inches. Size: 11. 2008.

Ring design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2008 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Gourd Jewelry Creation

Bracelet, They Call Her Ms. Diva, made of gourd, wood and paperclay. Measurements: 4 3/4 x 2 x 4 3/8 inches. 2009.

Bracelet design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Playing an Africanism Forward

Af-ri-can-ism. A characteristically African cultural feature, such as a belief, custom or linguistic feature. Source: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Africanism.

From the first gourd workshop I took back in the 1980s, I have felt an affinity with gourds. Gourd crafting answers a longing to be connected to the stream of black culture and historic consciousness. Simply put, creating art with gourds makes me feel whole.

When I reference gourds, I always speak of them as female. In John Storm Roberts' book, Black Music of Two Worlds: African, Caribbean, Latin, and African-American Traditions, he states that "another intriguing Africanism in New World drums is that percussion instruments are often given sexual attributes. Not only are whole classes of instruments seen as male or female (drum = male, calabash percussion = female, for example)." Subconsciously, I am carrying an Africanism forward. The soul never forgets!

Gourd 101: Is it a Gourd or Calabash?

The words gourd and calabash are often used interchangeably. Both can be defined as a "hard-shell durable fruit grown for ornament, utensils and general interest" (L.H. Bailey, Garden of Gourds, 1937). But are they the same or different? Well, the gourd (photo above left) is native to the continent of Africa and grows on a vine. The calabash (photo above right) is indigenous to tropical America and grows on a tree.

Photo of gourd by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved. Photo of calabash found at http://consejo.bz/belize/bushmedicine.html.

Traveler's Companion: The Gourd Canteen

As a museum assistant at the Wells Fargo History Museum, San Diego, CA, I have written a blog entitled, Traveler's Companion: The Gourd Canteen. Learn a little about stagecoach travel in the 1880s and how to make your own gourd canteen. Read my blog at blog.wellsfargo.com/GuidedByHistory.

Inside the Artisan's Studio: Sala Faruq

Inside the Artisan's Studio takes a look at the creative process of artists and craftspeople. A different artist is featured each week. Read my profile at archdiva.blogspot.com.

Gourd Jewelry Creation

Ring, Isis, made of gourd, wood, silver and glass. Measurements: 2 1/8 x 5/8 x 1 3/4 inches. Size: 5. 2007.

Ring design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2007 and 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

HGTV Share My Craft

One of my favorite television channels is HGTV. So, it is quite the thrill to have my gourd creations on HGTV Share My Craft. Check me out. Go to www.hgtv.com and click on Crafts. Then, click on Share My Craft. In the Share My Craft search box, type "gourddiva" (that's me).

Gourd Jewelry Creation

Necklace, Alma, made of gourd, silver, pearls, and sterling silver Soft Flex wire. Chain: 25 inches. Pendant: 3 1/2 x 2 x 2 inches. 2006.

Neklace design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2006 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Testing Testing Testing

This is my first attempt at making a video. Of course, the topic is my gourd art. I thought I would preview it on my blog before making the leap to YouTube. I made it using Photoshop and Windows Movie Maker.

Gourd Ring Creation

Ring, Every Girl Needs a Kryptonite Ring, made of gourd and green quartz. Measurements: 2 1/8 x 1 x 1 inches. Size: 9. 2007.

Ring design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2007 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

New/Old News

I have been remiss in keeping everyone abreast of what has been happening with my art career. So, here is my update. New or old, it is still news.

New/Old News I
I was a judge for the California Gourd Society Gourd Art Competition at the 11th Annual International Gourd Art Festival, Fallbrook, CA, held on June 23 and 24, 2007.

New/Old News II
My work was featured at the Oceanside Public Library, Oceanside, CA, during Black History Month, February 2007. The pieces included Homage: Love Never Loses Its Way Home, a personal altar for my parents and Sister Sarah.

New/Old News III
At the California Gourd Society Art Competition, I received two second place ribbons. One was for Sister Sarah (Dolls/Human Figures) and the other one was for a ring design, Alice in Wonderland (Jewelry).

New/Old News IV
My article, The Gourdeous Path was published in "The Golden Gourd," Spring 2007, pages 1 and 3.

Gourd Wonderful

I have ordered gourds via the Internet and am always delighted to receive my box filled with the marvels of the plant world. However, there is nothing like going to a gourd farm and selecting your own gourds.

Since moving to California, one of my favorite places to visit is the Welburn Gourd Farm in Fallbrook, California. The farm is located deep in a canyon where the asphalt turns into a dirt road. Though the drive can be long and arduous, the journey’s well worth it. The sight of fields filled with gourds and the racks of dried gourds beckoning with infinite creative possibilities is simply wonderful and exhilarating!

Gourd Vessel Creation

Vessel, Sula, made of gourd and metal leaf. Measurements: 7 x 4 3/4 x 4 3/4 inches. 2009.

Vessel design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Gourd Vessel Creation

Vessel, Chocolate Raspberry Dream, made of gourd and wood. Measurements: 5 3/4 x 10 1/2 x 6 inches. 2003.

Vessel design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Bob Hill. Copyright © 2003 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Gourd Vessel Creation

Teapot, Nina, made of gourd, wood, Paperclay and metal leaf. Measurements: 7 3/4 x 3 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches. 2009.

Vessel design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2009 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

My Studio

I live/work in a small studio apartment in the heart of downtown San Diego. When I moved, it was a challenge to whittle down my "stuff" to accommodate this new space. I stood in the chaos of boxes, furniture and bags wondering how I was going to make this place my own more times than I can count. After many months of tinkering, I achieved my vision. My place is cozy, artsy and inspiring. It's me!

The desk is where I create my gourd art. I painted the image on the front. It's my rendition of Aaron Douglass' Teneo Te, Africa! When I sit down at my desk to work, I feel inspired.

Gourd Jewelry Creation

Ring, Javier, made of gourd and Paperclay. Measurements: 1 5/8 x 1 1/4 x 1 inches. Size 11. 2007.

Jewelry design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2007 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Gourd Jewelry Creation

Bracelet, Ahmadu, made of gourd and metal leaf. Measurement: 2 1/2 x 4 x 4 inches. 2007.

Jewelry design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2007 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

On The Gourdeous Path

In May 2008, I moved to San Diego, CA. I lose my muse somewhere in the process. After more than a year, the girl is back and on The Gourdeous Path.

I am finalizing my website. I opened an Etsy.com shop account, which is almost complete and ready for official launch. Establishing a presence on Facebook is in the works. And, I am working on a video of my work for YouTube. So, stay tuned for exciting developments.