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"Gourds have been used for thousands of years as utensils, bowls, storage and cooking containers, and in crafts. Members of the cucumber family, gourds are either hard or soft-shelled. Craft gourds are of the hard-shelled variety. This means that as they dry, they do not spoil. As such, these gourds can be used in numerous ways. A gourd treated as a bowl or container can be used to hold dried flowers, dried beans, pasta or candy, to mention a few items. Uncut gourds contain seeds, which is why they rattle when shaken. |
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A hard-shelled gourd will last indefinitely. Even gourds used as birdhouses will last for many seasons. Gourds are very strong, but brittle, and should be treated and handled much like glass. If you drop a gourd, it may crack. However, you can easily repair most cracks with a bit of glue. The gourds I use are grown in the South and Southwest. Even though gourds will grow in the Northeast, our growing season makes it a challenge. The biggest and best gourds need a long hot summer. These gourds are all original designs and are hand-painted and signed. We hope you enjoy your ornamental gourd." Nancy Chaput, Cumberland, Rhode Island |
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When Nancy Chaput,
a former landscape designer, isn't tending her own gardens, caring for Sally and Calvin (pictured with her here)
or trying a new gourmet recipe,
she is creating something beautiful. She bought an ornamental gourd at a second hand shop five years
ago, and her fascination with them has only increased. An accomplished still-life painter,
Nancy soon began creating her own ornamental gourds - works of art
in an endless variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and designs.
Nancy's work
is currently on display in the following locations:
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Content:
Copyright © Nancy Chaput/Angel Street Studio 2000. All rights reserved. |
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