I love your work. I bought gourd seeds from California back to North Carolina 18 yrs ago. Grew my own gourds. I had watched my grandmother grow them in the '50. They made them into dippers for water from the well. I had no idea what I was going to do. 1st year, I made a still art sculpture for table. Beautiful. Enjoyable. Another time, I painted, opened some and placed birds and nest inside as Christmas ornaments. Right now I'm working on one for my Fall harvest decor. I have just a few left All from a pack of seeds that yielded me 3 seasons of gourds, 18 years ago. Fun. ; )

Each piece is remarkable and gorgeous 💝

What an excellent teacher and artist you are Alretta. Thank you for making this video. I bought a gourd about 15 years ago, not knowing what I was going to do with it. You have inspired me to get it out and create.

So much of what Alretta said resonated with me: whether or not she is an "artist"; letting the gourd determine what it should be; and putting a piece on the back burner if she was bored with it. I learned so much about tools, etc. from this video and Alretta's work is stunning.

Accidently saw this and OMG Alretta you are an amazing artist. I live in Western Colorado and grew a bunch of Gourds about 10 years ago, I had so many I didn't know what to do with them. Now the ideas are going crazy in my brain. Thank you Thank you for your you tube. I learned a lot and LOVED your designs.

We grew bushel basket gourds this year. They are huge. I suppose they will need more than a year to dry. That gives me time to figure out what to do with them. You are an inspiration. By the way, we were married on Nevis in April 2000 at the Golden Rock. You have a dream life. Hope to visit if we ever get to return.

A teacher that teaches! Instructions perfectly detailed, perseverance pays off! No dramatics, your art is entertaining! ✨🍁🍂🍁🌻👩🏼‍🎨✨🍂🍁🍂✨sweet baby you stopped n loved, I miss mine!✨♥️

Just found you! You’re a very good teacher! I understand what you mean about living with your gourds until a project comes to mind. I’ve done a few for family and friends. I have a lot of family in MN.

Alretta, your personality is down to earth, inviting and simply charming overall. Talented artist, you are for sure.

Very lovely artwork. You have definitely found the right path to making YOU happy and all who admire your art. Thank you for showing.

These are absolutely beautiful!!!! I love your 1st one!!! Actually I love them all!! 👏👏💕

Hi from Canada 🇨🇦 Amazing work !! Thanks for sharing!!

aww, her lil yorkie sleeps across her shoulders!! how precious

Alretta don't you think people have no idea how much thought goes into each piece? That turning it over and over in your head. That's what makes us artists we are truly artist. I all do all types from watercolor to stained glasswork and put my heart and soul into each creation. I have 2 Yorkies myself but since becoming handicapped with Multiple Sclerosis both my art and my babies have been a struggle.My daughters took over much of their care and they got me a cat that doesn't require so much getting up and down after finding it a struggle to walk, I still do some art everyday I can. Your gourds are very good and you should be very proud to be an ARTIST!

Alretta, you are indeed an artist! You don't realize it, but you are a clairvoyant artist. You can't "see" the end at the beginning because it has to move through your soul first and it travel through your hands. When you were talking about what you did, I saw you sitting in a lodge working on pre-Columbian art on fabrics, pottery, and horn. One of your designs with the women you have done before in that lifetime. (I am clairvoyant.)I watched your entire video as I wanted to learn more about gourds. I'm not destined to be a gourd artist like you (eczema on fingertips). I plan to make a few of them into birdhouses and plan to attached tiny mosaic elements. I wanted to make a gifts of the few I have. Thank you for giving your time! I spend a lot of time alone in the afternoons and you sure made mine! Chickie

That's great 👍 I enjoy wood burning gourds.

“I made that up” 🤣🤣🤣 you’re hilarious. Thanks for sharing your video with us. You’re very talented.

😂 I actually laughed out loud when you said, “I sell the seeds on the side. Not really I just made that up.” 😂😂😂

I love the cut outs! I painted gourds for years after getting laid off and sold them at a farmers market to make ends meet. I enjoyed it a lot.

Love this. I was sold when she said she listens to the gourds. I get that!

Could not be more impressed and inspired with your down-to-earth, start-to-finish, show-n-tell, personal insight gourd video with beloved Yorkie. You've taught me more with your video than I have learned, seen and felt through any other medium and by flying be the seat of my britches. Thank you Miss Alretta.

Oh thank you! I enjoyed this so very much! 🧡🧡🧡

Beautiful work! I"m Impressed with the thought and attention to detail that begins in your head before you begin your magic. Each gourd speaks to you! I also love your little pooch. Your baby fits perfectly on the back of your neck.

I'm just blown away ! It's the first time ever I hear about gord carving exists and it's so beautiful and such beautiful work. Thank you for allowing me to discover this art.

I love the surprise! Thank you for sharing.

Alretta Skellenger, can't pick a favorite, they are all beautiful!

Thanks for sharing your video.It was fantastic.I did some work with gourds when I lived in Brazil a few years ago.🙏👌

Wow! Amazing artist!

Wow, I love this! Thank you! The dragon is favorite!

Finally a gourd artist that I cld relate to! Especially liked hearing that she too sometimes takes months listening to a gourd to tell her what it will become. I also was glad that she hadn’t found her style. I’ve done several but they’re all so different. I appreciated her advice on the leather dye & the fading. She covers very well all of the small but important tips! I am glad she mentioned that you should normally wear a mask. I became very ill when I cut into a few very thick gourds. The farm I now buy from is also in California. Even had one gourd that was a full inch thick!

Talented Lady Thanks for showing and such a variety of styles.

I enjoyed this, you were very straightforward with information. I appreciate it!

Just beautiful I love them -great retirement hobby ❤️

Wow. I am in awe of your work skills. Simply beautiful.

Love your video! So easy to hear you talking and explaining how and why you do your art.

How interesting, this lady is a true inspiration. I love how she enjoys not knowing the outcome and that she acknowledges making lots of lemonade. True artist, without the ego. I’m a fan.

I always felt that quilling (3D Paper Art) was tedious, but this IS the ultimate challenge for patience. Great video.

Thank you Alretta for sharing your beautiful craft. Nothing wrong with lemonade. :-) Your baby is quite special as well.

What a talented woman !! Great video.

Love your little one laying thereon you neck. What a beautiful video!!!)))

AMAZING!!!! I love the results of your artistry with gourds! I planted and grew gourds last summer and now they are now dried, I used a Dremel to remove the funk and mold, then spray painted in one colour but now need ideas for decorating gourds. I tried stencils with acrylic paints, but they stink. Wood burning is a great idea, perhaps with stencils that would work. God Bless GREAT ARTIST!!!

That little doggie loves his mama. Alretta seems like someone I would love to befriend. I like her subtle sense of humor and her no-nonsense and honest way of explaining her artwork.

Your little dog is amused and relax by your talking. Thanks.

Wow! You are a master artist, inspirational. Born to teach. Such a joy to watch and listen to you. I loved your very first gourd. Thank you.

NOW THAT'S AMAZING ! Thank you for sharing your work with us.. Excellent show !

Wonderful and beautiful work. Thank 😊you .

I have just found this page, i see its 11 years old, I hope you are still in business, i find your work beautiful, i grew gourds and designed them years ago. You have inspired me to possibly grow some again next season. I am in Western Australia, in the wheat farming area, they grow quite well here.

What a fun hobby. I like her workshop!

Your gourds are delightful and full of fun. I enjoyed this video very much . Thank you.

Loved your video. I am just beginning to work on gourds, and got some great assistance here. Thank you!

The pear piece made me say Oh WoW! Thoroughly enjoyed this clip, fantastic workshop and beautiful craftsmanship and in such a easy step by step tutorial. Loved all the pieces she made.

I love Her! Beautiful work and lovely style, grace etc.. amazing

I love your adventure. Beautiful work 😍

Lovely to watch. I especially enjoy your attitude.

Alretta you are a great, patient, easy talking teacher. Also very clever. I enjoyed listening to you. Love and Light xx

So special! Thank you for sharing

Alretta is an inspiration to others with whatever she does, she's an amazing lady with many creative talents not just with Gourds.

I love your Yorkie scarf! It looks so real! 😊❤️

I’m so impressed with all the skills and technics you have and need to create so beautiful designs. I just bought one gourd to make something beautiful but I feel this is soooo far of my knowledge that probably I’ll leave them natural. 😂😂😂. Thanks for this master class.

Beautiful work.i liked her video.she is a good teacher.

So very interesting, Alretta. I enjoy learning something new. I will probably never work on a gourd but I so enjoyed your teaching style and learning about gourds. Thank you.

Love this. I am aware of the gourd farm in California, but I’m way too lazy to clean them before using them. I’m not much of an artist, anyway.

I understand what you mean by it telling you what it's supposed to be.and miss Mara is adorable!!! I am a crafter myself, and I always listen to what I am creating.

Keep up the great work, so beautiful, and I am so glad I came across your web site. Thanks again.

Be even more beautiful with lights inside. Creative awesome work

I very much enjoyed Ms. Alretta's comprehensive video. I've grown some gourds for the first time this season, but hadn't a clue on where to go with them from there. I'm pleased to have come upon her passion, skills, techniques, and ideas. I look forward to drying the gourds out and experimenting, I suppose, a year from now. Further, I was thrilled to meet your Yorkie and have 2 girls myself. I've joined your subscription in anticipation of your expanding creative talents and my recent retirement times to come!

Thank you so much for the help. They are all beautiful. I grow a few goards and paint them, but you are the Woman! Great job.

Thank you for this video. I really enjoyed.

They are unusual , but very beautiful . You are a artist with good eye for design .

Beautiful Thank you for sharing your art.

Alretta,you are a delight.I have just discovered gourd carving . I live in Indiana up by lake Michigan and just bought 2 large gourds from my local farmer but learned that they'll be dried out hopefully by April. Was hoping to make a bird house for starts. You have shown me a lot in your video. Thanks and the best to you. Marsha

That was a beautiful presentation. The gourds were so artistically designed.

Thank you for the excellent video!!!

WOW !! Thank you for this video...you are Amazing🐦🍂🍁🌰...

I grow gourds and loved your remarks about their individuality! It's why they fascinate me. Your work is wonderful. I am trying to learn how to decorate them so really appreciated your video!

Your working of art is brilliant

I really liked her. She would make a great instructor. I recently started growing gourds and am waiting for my first batch to try. Have been drying for a few months and I'm anxious to get started on them.

Best most informative video i have found on gourds. And yes mam, you are definitely an artist

I am an artist and I think your best style is the real things like the Moose and the Indians, you have a nice style for graphic art. It's sometimes had to leave out but what you leave out makes it a great graphic piece! Beautiful work!

I like your work! Congratulations! You are indeed and ARTIST!!

The Yorkie! So wholesome. ❤️

Absolutely stunning works of art. Is "gourding" a verb? Or how about "gourde"? I am in South Carolina and have grown my own gourds. No two are ever alike. I had to chuckle at the moose, as I am original from Maine, and moose there are as common as kudzu is in the South. Beautiful work, Alretta!

Sooooo wonderful! Love the cute Dog , the artist and the wonderful work !!

Thank you so very much for making this video I've never seen anything like this before you do beautiful work and I will I love your Workshop keep up the great work we need a woman to represent the beautiful works of art like you do. That Dragon would make a very beautiful and unique lamp with shade. I want it

Really Love The Butterfly Gourd. REALLY COOL. YOU SHINE.

Hi, im from Guadalajara, México. Thankyou forma your video. I keep watching.

Alretta, thanks so much. I was given a gourd from a friend and didn't know what to do with it. I had no idea they could be so beautiful. However, I live in the UK and the tools for making a decorative gourd are not easy to find, never mind trying to grow any. U do wonderful work xx

Just beautiful. This craft is right up my alley.

Wonderful and inspiring demonstration!

Excellent instructional video. Love your style lady... you are a beautiful soul!

I love her work. Beautiful gourds, beautiful lady.

Wow! She is one talented lady👍🏻

Wow! Absolutely incredible! Thank you for sharing!

Wow, wonderful. You are definately an artist! They are amazing & beautiful!

Love your work! Thank you!

Youu are a true artist. Thank you for shaeing. Your workshop is stunning.

Wow! I love your work! My favorite is the butterflies. I love your attitude.

Fantastic work!!! I LOVE IT!

OMG! Your work is beautiful! Thank you. ❤️

It is amazing to me how someone can take something so plain and turn it into something so beautiful. Artists amaze me. Thank you for this video.