Fill It In With Shells

Class description

Students will learn to coil pine needles onto a prepared gourd and how to incorporate sliced seashells into their weaving. Students will work on shaping techniques.

Each student will receive a prepared gourd, seashell slices, 1/4 lb glycerinated pine needles, waxed linen and stitching needle. A detailed tutorial will be emailed after the class.

This class is appropriate for all levels of students. Most will complete the project. How far along you will get on this project will depend on your skill level.

What you are required to bring

Each student is required to bring the following items to class:

• Sharp scissors
• Small needle nose plyers
• Jewelry size wire cutters

About the instructor

Vickie Echols fell in love with gourds when she went to her first gourd festival in 2000. She was so inspired by what she saw that it has become her passion and full-time business. She is an award winning artist and instructor who enjoys her travels, to gourd festivals and basket guilds as well as private classes, around the U.S. Vickie describes her work as "Enhancing Nature". Vickie started teaching pine needle coiling on gourds and has been enjoying it for 18 years. Vickie took up pottery during high school and feels this has inspired her pine needle basketry. She uses stones, pine cones, beads, shells, driftwood and botanicals to incorporate into her distinctive baskets.

Vickie is also an American Gourd Society Certified Judge and has judged at County Fairs as well as Gourd Festival Competitions.

Questions about this class?

Vickie Echols can be contacted at [email protected] or 951-491-9051