Fairy Houses, Instructor, Angie Paulson

Name of Project Class: Fairy Gourd Houses

Date: June 15

Time: 9-3 with a lunch break at noon)

Location: Current Galley, Backdoor Studio, 532 NE 3rd St, McMinnville, OR 97128

Instructor: Angie Paulson

Cost of class paid to the teacher. $­35.00 Registration will be online

Supplies students need to bring: (*Please note that the supplies needed may vary depending on which techniques you choose to do - feel free to email instructor if you have questions).

1.One gourd of any size or shape, with the bottom removed and cleaned inside. Please note that fairy houses made from very tiny gourds are more difficult and will require more advanced skills. A gourd of 5-7 inches in diameter is a good choice for all skill levels. If your gourd is very thin, prepping the inside with a wood hardener is recommended.

2. A second gourd, OR a top of another gourd, AND/OR gourd scraps to be used to construct a roof or other architectural details such as a porch overhang, awning or shutters if desired.

3. Tools:  A Gourd saw, a power carver and assortment of burs, a woodburner, razor cutter, round needle nose pliers, a wire cutter, a pair of scissors (not good ones as they will be used to cut tin and/or pinecones), sandpaper, and a hot glue gun. A limited number of each of these tools will be available to share and not all students will need all the listed tools depending on which techniques they choose for their individual project.

4. Supplies: A pencil, a ruler, baby wipes, formula 49, or an eraser to clean your pencil marks from the gourd. Wood glue and or E6000. Also bring your choice of paints, dyes, or other coloring medium if you wish to add color to your fairy house. Bring a heat gun if your paints need to be heat set and the appropriate applicator for your chosen medium. Look around your back yard and in your craft stash for any other materials that you might like to incorporate into the construction of your fairy house - moss, aquarium rocks, small twigs, dried seeds, or jewelry findings for door knockers etc.

Instructor will provide a selection of gourd seeds or pinecones for roof shingles. Also provided will be materials for making a miniature porch light, materials for making miniature door hinges and materials for some fairy landscaping.

Cost of Supplies provided by instructor: Supply fees will vary depends on those provided by teacher. To be paid at class.

Class Description:

This class will provide information on multiple techniques for constructing your own unique fairy house. Instructor will give instructions for cutting the doors and windows and provide several techniques for constructing a roof from various materials including gourd seeds and pinecones, and cardboard. You will learn to carve a "wood grain" pattern into your door, carve moldings around your windows and how to attach gourd pieces together. You will also learn how to make a miniature door hinge, a miniature fairy porch light and will be able to make some miniature leaves and grasses to accessorize your fairy house. Each student will design their own unique fairy house in a style of their own choosing. Most students should finish the project during class time; however, some students may have some finishing work left to do at home depending on the techniques you choose. Several sample photos of Gourd Fairy Houses are shown as examples, but your own fairy house will be uniquely yours!

Size of Class: Max 12

Deadline for registration: June 1