Before and After

This is one of the gourds I purchased at the Welburn Gourd Farm about a month ago (far left). It was so funky cool, I had to have it.

Here is one of the projects I made from the gourd. It is a necklace I call, Earthseed (left). To create the necklace, I cut off two of the "wings" and glued them together. Then, I filled in the gap between the two pieces with paperclay. I painted and sealed the "bead." Finally, I hung the "bead" from a nylon cord.

Necklace, Earthseed, made of gourd, paperclay, nylon cord, silver, acrylic paint and polycrylic sealant. Gourd bead: 4 x 2 3/8 x 1 inches.Cord: 39 inches.

Necklace design by Sala Faruq. Photos by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2010 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Gourd Art Competition Awards

I entered several of my gourd creations in the 2010 California Gourd Society Gourd Art Competition. It was held in conjunction with the 14th Annual Gourd Art Festival held at the Welburn Gourd Farm, June 26th and 27th. And, I am delighted to say I received a First Place ribbon in the Wearable Gourd Accessory Category for my necklace design, Narcisco (left). I also received a Judge's Choice ribbon for the same necklace. In the Gilded Gourd Category, I received a First Place ribbon for my necklace design, Odetta (right).


Necklace, Narcisco, made of gourd, paperclay, brass, copper, metal leaf, vintage mother of pearl shoe button, beads, acrylic paint and polycrylic sealant. Pendant: 3 1/2 x 4 x 1 inches. Chain: 24 inches, 2010.

Necklace, Odetta, made of gourd, metal leaf, paperclay, brass, copper, black beaded chain, acrylic paint and polycrylic sealant. Gourd beads: 2 1/4 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/4 inches approximately. Chain: 18 inches, 2009.


Necklace designs by Sala Faruq. Photos by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2009 and 2010 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Gourd Hunting I Go

I recently visited the Welburn Gourd Farm. And I can't tell you how deliciously wonderful it was searching through all the racks of gourds. There were jewel, maranka, bottle, canteen, zucca, snake, kettle, warty, dipper, and more, oh my!

Gourd Jewelry Workshop

I have been invited to teach a gourd jewelry workshop, which I am delighted to do. The participants will be making a bottleneck style gourd ring (far left) and a centerpiece style gourd ring (immediate left). The workshop will be held at The Shepherdess, 2802 Juan Street, Suite 18, San Diego, CA, on Saturday, August 14, 2010 from 10:30 am - 4:30 pm. For details and to register click here.

Ring (above left), Diego, made of gourd. Measurements: 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inches, 2006. Ring (above right), Ella, made of gourd and decorative button. Measurements: 1 5/8 x 1 3/4 x 1 5/8 inches, 2010.

Ring designs by Sala Faruq. Photos by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2010 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Gourd Jewelry Creation

Necklace, Praline Dream, made of gourd, copper, leather cord, and brass. Pendant: 1 1/2 x 1 1/4 x 1 1/2 inches. Leather cord: 18 inches, 2010.

Necklace design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2010 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.

Gourd Growing Diary

I am sad to report that my sproutlings died. Undaunted, I decided to try again. This time I took three seeds and planted each in individual pots about an inch deep in potting soil. I also left them outside instead growing them inside. I watered them every other day. One sprouted. The other two did not. I replanted the two pots with two seeds per pot. And, I am happy to say that all the seeds sprouted and are growing beautifully.

Gourd Brooch Creation

Brooch, Lonesome Heart, made of gourd and metal leaf. Measurements: 2 1/8 x 1/2 x 2 inches, 2010.

Brooch design by Sala Faruq. Photo by Sala Faruq. Copyright © 2010 by Sala Faruq. All rights reserved.