Loretta-I don't grow my own gourds but have sold a lot of the ones I decorate and make bird houses out of.Mostly mine are sold to people I know then people they know.There are lots of decorated and raw ones sold on E-Bay but I have never done that.I have bought a lot of raw ones off e-bay though.I think a website would probably be great but I don't know that you would sell any more there than if you were to take them to craft fairs or maybe just put an advertisement in your local newspaper,which is something I am planning to do in the near future.I think how they sell depends a lot on the area you are in also.Good luck with whatever you decide to do.........Lillie

Thanks Lillie, I just plan of giving them as gifts .... then my mind started wandering on what would happen if I had say fifty of them :)

Loretta

I, too, give my gourds away. But, I am in the process of trying to be juried into a large Fall Festival here and working like crazy to get enough to sell. And, my brother, who is also a gourd artist, has found a place to have a permanent booth at a tourist spot and now I got to work double crazy to have enough for both. Oh, well, I'll be busy.

We have a local craft fair each year and there is a lady that sells gourds like crazy. She doesn't paint them or anything. Some she has already drilled the hole for a bird house... She always sell everything she brings....

My daughter-in-law's mother has painted on gourds for years. She has been in business for several years. Even has several books out.. Beautiful work.... Unfortunally she passed away this past year. I was the blessed with one of her painted gourds from her husband last Christmas... I will cherish it always..

Just have fun with all of this..

Susie

Susie -

Your daughter-in-law's mother wasnt Aurelia Conway was she? If so, WOW is all I can say. BEAUTIFUL work - I have several of her books.

Loretta -

I grow my own gourds and paint them also. I've never done a craft show but get the "fever" to do one every once in a while. Problem is finding the time to work on enough for an inventory to bring to a show. A couple of years ago I "met" a gal here on the GW forums and she ordered 10 painted gourds from me - sells them at her farm out west. And then ordered ten more (I'm still working on that order). I was thrilled as I have never sold them before - I'm like everyone else - I have given many away to friends and family. I've often longed to do a show, but haven't so far. Then, I've also had thoughts of selling painted and raw gourds from our home in the country. I have visions of very large gourd gardens, various arbors and such that people could take tours of - even younger school children as a class field trip. Lots of ideas rolling around up in my head. :)
Nonnie - wow - what a great opportunity for you! Good luck!