Washington State Gourd Society

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We are the Mu Chapter of the American Gourd Society

The Gourdistry of Kate Franchimon

My parents were blessed and cursed with six daughters. I am number five in the bunch. We kept ourselves entertained which lent itself to vast creativity. My father could build anything with his hands and my mother was always creating wonders with an incredible imagination. My sisters and I all inherited the fever to create.

My husband and longtime friend Jon and I live in a quaint home in Tulalip, WA. We have one daughter, we are very proud of. We are kept busy with a dog who should be herding sheep, however we live in a neighborhood so he herds the neighbors and our three cats instead.

I became interested in gourds years ago when my oldest sister sold them in her early 1800's traveling General Store. I bought a few each time I worked for her until I had quite a few. My husband Jon bought me my first and favorite of many gourd books “The Complete Book of Gourd Craft” by Summet / Widess.

I started in earnest two years ago when I came across an article in the paper for a gourd class in my area. I signed up that day and have been hooked ever since. I am now a co-assistant to Evie Scribner our gourd teacher in Marysville, WA.

I’ve always had a passion for creating with my hands. I was a landscape artist for many years until an injury made that work no longer possible for me. I have transformed my own yard and continue to help my friends and family enjoy their own back yard paradises. In the rainy seasons I kept my self busy with cross stitch & crocheting. Now that I’ve discovered the overwhelming joy that comes from creating gourds I have left my other passions in the dust.

I find my inspiration in many sources. Nature, other cultures, books, magazines. I find that the gourd itself speaks to me and sometimes is adamant about what it wants to be regardless of my previous intentions.

I have recently become the 62nd member of “The Washington Gourd Society”. This allowed me to attend the meeting in Moses Lake where I learned new techniques and bought a plethora of gourds. I also got to meet some incredible artists from the Northwest and made some new friends. I am enjoying being involved in all aspects of gourds. I am focusing some attention on running for a Director’s position in the Washington State Gourd Society. I have accumulated some awards and have sold a few gourds!!! I feel blessed to have become a part of this amazing group of gourders.