"Sometimes beauty lies beneath, it just requires some effort to find it."

Marcie Evans

The gourds used are grown at Marcie's home and supplemented with gourds purchased from out of state. Vines grown during the summer are harvested in late fall. By spring, most gourds are dry and ready for cleaning and crafting.

Marcie spends time studying and handling each gourd, sometimes for days until "I know what it needs to be". If the gourd is to be painted, the design is drawn in pencil, then pyroengraved using a wood burning pen. A mini jig saw is used to cut sections out and to cut lids. A dremel tool is used for relief carving and for gouging areas for inlace. All of the cutting, carving and sanding must be completed outside due to dust and mold the gourds produce.