The Domestic Gourdess

Tracy 40, Female Walbridge, United States: 2imth1t5unnnn; Share

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Tracy's discussions

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grow up?

Replied Apr 5

Link EXCHANGE thread (websites, not Etsy shops)

Replied Apr 5

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Latest Activity

Tracy's profile changed Jul 11

Tracy added the blog post 'My Cup Runneth Over!' Jul 11

Tracy added a photo: Studioe Bee

Jul 2

Tracy's profile changed Jun 30

Tracy added 4 new blog posts. View Tracy's blog posts Jun 8

Profile

Location:: Walbridge, (Lake Township), Ohio

About Me:: Here’s how a Gourdess came to be.
It all started with a show in Michigan-dy.
It only took one peek and a look.
This Domestic Goddess was hooked!
She was face to face with a gourd.
She exclaimed with surprise, “Oh Lord!”
The gourd called and beckoned her that day.
She found a new medium in which to play.
She became a Gourdess in full glory.
And that’s the end of my silly story!

Seriously though…

In 2002 I quit my job and became a stay at home mom. After the adjustment to being home full time, I started asking a big question.

What exactly am I supposed to be doing?

I was (and still am) grateful to be at home with the kids. However, I was craving something more. I started looking back to my childhood for those things that I loved to do. Those things that made time stand still.

Fast forward to the summer of 2005, I was selling dream pillows at a show in Michigan. A friend of mine brought something called “Gourd Woman” to sell. She explained it was time to find her a new home. I couldn’t keep away. She drew me in with her simple primal persona. The crazy thought of “Gourdesses, I can make Gourdesses!” kept popping in my head. She seemed to whisper of new paths and that something magnificent was underway. Gourd Woman had found her new home and I had discovered one of those things I’m supposed to be doing.

I dived right into the joy of working with gourds. Each gourd is an individual. I've found it's best to hold one and let it tell me what it wants to become. When I’m inspired with a design, I ask for a volunteer. I swear they wave their little stems and yell, "Pick me! Pick me!"

The creative opportunities with gourds are unlimited. There is always something new to try such as carving, painting, pyroengraving, and lacing to name a few.

My gourd creations are a treasure hunt to find the mystery and beauty of the Gourd hidden beneath the layers.

It's similar to the choices we make as life unfolds before us. I choose to transform those things that may, on the surface, appear awful and unlovely into something uplifting and beautiful. Creating with Gourds is like the versatile nature of people, always changing, always unfolding, and always discovering something new.

And speaking of discovering something new, through out this journey, I uncovered a joy for writing children's stories, blogging and dabbling with polymer clay!

I'm an eclectic creative beast and allowing myself to follow my intuition, I've embarked upon a journey that keeps me fulfilled, joyful and happy. I encourage everyone to follow your heart and your dream. There's a lot of happiness to be discovered in the journey.

Have a Wonder-Filled day!

Tracy Swartz
The Domestic Gourdess

make custom gifts at Zazzle!

Gender:: Gal

I am a/an:: Independent Artist/Designer, Blogger

(Designers only) I create:: Dried Gourd Art & Polymer Pixies

(Designers only) I am willing to do:: Custom orders, Consignment, Wholesaling

(Designers only) My work is sold at:: http://www.thedomesticgourdess.com
Various local craft shows and fairs

Website:: http://thecandlegourdess.com

Website #2:: http://www.thedomesticgourdess.com

Website #3:: http://candlesrfun.com

Favorite Designers/Artists:: Jacqueline Chubirka, Mike Florey, Bonnie Gibson, and Mom!

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Tracy's Blog

My Cup Runneth Over!

I have been busy and therefore, neglected the blog! I’m very grateful my cup has runneth over. First and foremost, the summer edition of The Magic Happens is available. The Magic Happens has hit a milestone, their first anniversary! Woo hoo! Give me a high five! The website is http://www.themagichappens.com/. I have two articles in this issue, "In Like a Lamb…

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Posted on July 11th, 2008 at 3:05am — No Comments (Add)

Studio Bee

My friend Annette asked me to create the "Studio Bee". "What's that?" you ask. It's a reminder for a friend of hers of his "bee" experiences in the studio at the radio station. During the last encounter, he chose to use a clipboard as his weapon. Needless to say the clip board won. Without further ado here is Studio Bee!

… Continue

Posted on June 30th, 2008 at 10:55am — No Comments (Add)

Guido the Bunnie & Mr. Fungus

There has been quite a bit of activity in the yard. Mr. Fungus Amungus stopped in for a visit and decimated my gourd crop. I didn’t want him to spread his particular brand of love in the soil so all the plants went into the burn barrel. The funeral pyre was a site to behold and many tears were shed in honor of the brave gourd plants. The chickens have been holding a roost-in while confined to the run.

I thought they were being r… Continue

Posted on June 20th, 2008 at 8:04am — No Comments (Add)

Rex's Gourd

I wanted to make something gourdish for Rex on Father’s day. Between getting the garden planted and the fact I’m learning a new technique, it’s won’t be finished in time. HOWEVER, He knows what it is and that all good things are well worth the wait. Ha ha! The wolf and eagle are two of Rex’s totem animals. With this in mind, I took two separate scroll saw patterns from the… Continue

Posted on June 10th, 2008 at 11:30am — No Comments (Add)

Gardening, Wind, Flylady

The garden is almost finished! Woo hoo! We have thirty-something tomato plants (3 varieties). Why so many? It’s because I got a wee bit crazy when I started the seeds. There is twenty something gourd plants, which will be moved to the official “Gourd Patch” tomorrow. And we will be using an old swing set as a trellis! Stay tuned for more on that. Let’s see, I have three varieties of peas, the standard bush bean, rutabagas, onions, potatoes and sweet potatoes. That’s all planted in the “original… Continue

Posted on June 7th, 2008 at 6:31pm — No Comments (Add)

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At 7:40pm on July 19th, 2008, Vahik Kazarian said…: Thanks Tracy, come back anytime ... enjoying your page, Here and Now ! Thanks for sharing ...
Peace
Vahik (-:

At 7:06pm on July 19th, 2008, Vahik Kazarian said…: Hey Tracy (-:

At 5:25pm on June 9th, 2008, ShinyAdornments said…

Thanks so much for the nice comment.
:-)

Etsy
Buy Handmade
ShinyAdornments

At 3:04am on June 5th, 2008, Jill said…: Hi Tracy

And thank you! Have a great day yourself.

Bye for Now
Jill
Creative Cafe

At 5:25pm on June 4th, 2008, Jill said…: Hi Tracy

Your gourds are fabulous. I have added you to our Creative Cafe Salesrooms links now. It didn't take me so long to do this time either!
Will be really glad to see you join us on Creative Cafe.
Bye for Now
Jill

At 10:15am on June 4th, 2008, Deerwoman Designs said…: you must be a night owl.

I'll add you to my blogspot too. Here's my blogspot link if you'd like to check it out and add me to your other websites. Thanks.
http://deerwomandesigns.blogspot.com/

and my etsy
http://wwwdeerwomandesigns.etsy.com

At 10:17am on April 30th, 2008, Jewelry By Titi said…: Thank you very much!! Let me know if you would like to get any piece. I offer 50% off of the prices that are listed! :-)

At 9:19pm on April 29th, 2008, Jewelry By Titi said…

.
Welcome to Indie!!!

A bunch of us who sell on Etsy.com have already started excepting RME payments!

It is a new online payment site that a lot more people are using now because it is totally free! No FEES!!!!!!
When someone pays you,you get all of your money! Works just like paypal but without the fees. AND they give you $25 for free just for signing up! I didn't want to tell others about it until I actually got my $25 in my bank account and started using it myself. But I have been using it and it is great! So I am spreading the word!
I am so sorry if this sounds or looks like spam. It is not meant to be at all!!! I really just want to tell you about a new way to except online payments without any fees.

PS...Here is my Etsy shop!

Etsy
Buy Handmade
Jewelrybytiti

At 10:59am on April 17th, 2008, Beverly said…: oh yeh, BTW, I am sure you figured this out, but do that trick to get the marks out before you cure the clay...you knew that right, I just wanted to be xtra sure ;)
ps...putting in my order for one 'gourdkini' hehe