In the summer of ’92, my husband and I took a vacation in California where we found a wonderful nursery.  In this nursery on the book rack was a book called, The Complete Book of Gourdcraft, by Ginger Summit.  I put it back on the rack twice before deciding I had to have it.  This led to gourd shows in Texas where we met inspired people like Betty Kent and John Stacey.

I started with a micro mark saw and just kept movin’ on.  “Movin’ on” meant the TGS South East Gourd Patch.  I would not have a resume’ if it weren’t for the classes we had at each monthly patch meeting. 

I acquired the requisite two blue ribbons at the 2004 Texas Gourd Show which put me into division two for ever after.  It has been an honor to have been accepted in the Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show held in Kerr Arts and Cultural Center Gallery in Kerrville for two years and to have won a special award for best wall hanging.  I am now 72 and consider it a minor miracle to have found the world of gourd crafting. 

Clara M. Willibey
Houston, Texas
willibey@sbcglobal.net