The Decorated Gourd: Beautiful Projects & New Techniques [Paperback]

Dyan Mai Peterson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 28, 2003

Beginners will discover in these pages endless inspiration, comprehensive information, and fabulous color photos. Thirty-five projects, many with templates, range from practical (a Dotted Horse Utensil Holder) to whimsical (a clock that doesn’t tell time) to Holiday Easter “eggs” and splendid Christmas ornaments. “The results are gorgeous.”—Chicago Tribune.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Gourds are easily obtained and fun to work with, having an infinite variety of peculiar shapes that lend themselves to imaginative uses. Host's Gourd Crafts for the First Time is a book of basic techniques for cleaning, decorating, and preserving gourds, presented in a question-and-answer project format aimed at beginners. A gallery of works by the author and other artists provides ideas. Peterson's Decorated Gourd has more sophisticated projects involving pyrography (burning) and woven and beaded embellishments. Most are in a folk-art style adapted to the gourd medium. Public libraries not having Ginger Summit and Jim Wedess's The Complete Book of Gourd Craft, which covers most of the same techniques, may want one or both of these for their crafts collections.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Dyan Mai Peterson is a completely self-taught artist who started making gourds only six years ago. Today she is an internationally known gourd artist, a member of the prestigious Southern Highland Craft Guild, founder of the Western North Carolina Gourd Society, and is a popular teacher of gourd craft and basketmaking in Asheville, NC. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Lark Books (August 28, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579905110
• ISBN-13: 978-1579905118
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #986,469 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, September 16, 2002

By 

NJ Artist (Morristown, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Decorated Gourd: Beautiful Projects & New Techniques (Hardcover)

This book has something for every and anyone interested in gourd crafting. Clear instructions written in Dyan's appealing natural tone along with the beautiful photography will encourage beginners to test their creativity and inspire experience gourd crafters to stretch. As an experienced gourd artist(with my masks having appeared on the covers of two national maazines), since reading the book my work has taken a different, more adventurous turn. Using the techniques as a starting point, both the gifted artist and the amateur will be amazed at the work he/she can create. And, best of all, every time I pick up the book, I discover something new that I've missed before. I hope this is the beginning of a series of gourd art books for Dyan Mai Peterson.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Decorated Gourd, September 14, 2002

By 

P. Kisner (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Decorated Gourd: Beautiful Projects & New Techniques (Hardcover)

Ms. Peterson's new addition to the gourd crafting community is another giant step towards unlocking the creativity hidden in all of us. She will take you from garden to a piece of artwork through easy to understand methods. Beautifully illustrated, "The Decorated Gourd" has the ablility to let you see the talent in a novice crafter such as myself, or hone the tecniques of the seasoned artist. This is a much welcomed addition to any crafters library, exploring new mediums and ideas. With Ms. Peterson's guidence, a few simple supplies, and imagination, it will allow almost anyone to create a piece of beauty. Enjoy this book at your own peril, it could lead to a lifetime filled with natures canveses transformed into works of art.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great resource for beginners and advanced gourders!, September 5, 2002

By 

Bonnie Gibson "Arizona Gourds" (Tucson, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Decorated Gourd: Beautiful Projects & New Techniques (Hardcover)

Dyan has written a book that will be of interest to all levels of skills. The basics are included for the novice, and stimulating ideas for the experienced crafter. She has included lots of projects - step by step with complete materials lists - that will be satisfying and fun for all. Best of all, she explores using some unusual techniques that will awaken your own creativity. I enjoyed the tips and techniques that are included throughout. I don't buy many books, but this one will join Ginger Summit/Jim Widess' book "The Complete Book of Gourd Craft" as one of the great gourd references that I am proud to own.