For everyone who grows, crafts or enjoys gourds and sharing ideas and knowledge in a positive, upbeat environment. We have SCHEDULED CHATS via the Yahoo Messenger at 8:00 pm(EST) on Sundays and Mondays and 9:00 pm(EST) on Tuesdays and Thursdays. THIS GROUP CAN GENERATE A LOT of EMAIL. If this is a problem you can change your email options to No Email, or Special Announcements and read the group messages from the homepage by clicking on Messages. You do this by clicking on Edit Membership and making your change there. If you need assistance just post a message for help and we will be glad to assist you. Owners /Moderators are Marcie (ihvbuds4u@cox.net), Janie (jkjanie@aol.com), & Vicki (CountryVP@aol.com)

Featured Artist~July Richie

Born and raised in Austin, Texas, I always had a love for art. One of my favorites was drawing people and painting landscapes in oils. Six children later I moved high in the mountains of Colorado and for 3 years owned an art gallery, where I sold my paintings and 8 years of owning a 7 room B & B.. After a divorce, I went to Alaska and married my present husband. We lived in Valdez, Alaska, a beautiful place but the end of nowhere. We bought our first gourd art at a shop in Valdez that was decorated with Northwest Native designs. My sister, who was in Austin, went to the Texas Gourd show and told me about it and gave me some websites. That was that. Helen Thomas was the onlly gourd farmer who would ship gourds to Alaska at that time. So, I ordered a bunch of gourds, woodburner, hand carving tools, dyes, and books. The oil paints were put away. Gourds have been front and center ever since. Now, they rule my life. I have been teaching classes for the last five years. My husband and I have lived in Kerrville, Texas for the last 7 1/2 years and I have been active in the Texas Gourd Society and also, a member of AGS, AZ Gourd Society & the WA Gourd Society. I'm honored to be the Featured Artist on FGS. www.redcloudoriginals.com