I'm in PIttsfield/Saline, just south of Ann Arbor. It's not quite SW, but atleast in MI. I usually use a Dremel for carving, and a friend is a wonderful flower painter on gourds. People keep telling us to have a booth in a craft show, but at $400 to $1500 just to enter the show, besides buying a tent, tables, license, etc---and besides what do you make and how many--selling at $40 each? Nope I'll just keep it as a hobby for me and use them a special gifts. I did have a class and for $15 each taught 5 basket weavers how to do it. I could send you some email pictures.

You are only a couple of hours from me - I am in Kalamazoo. I recently got an email from a guy who lives by Saline and he is holding a gourd festival at his farm soon - it will be potluck - and when I hear more about it I am hoping that some of us from this side of the State can attend. I hope you keep in touch and are interested in getting together on a Michigan Gourd group. You can drop me an email at MagicKiwi1@yahoo.com any time.

Cheers - Rita in Kalamazoo

I actually have a Saline mailing address. I would love to attend the local gourd festival. I am having surgery soon, but if I'm walking I will attend. Now to think about which of my many designs to bring? Good thing it is a pot luck, because I'm on a diet to lose 100 pounds, grrrr. oh well, the sins of my youth....