Thank you all for your input. I have totems and plate flowers that have lasted 4 years year round and they still look great. I've sold quite a few over the last 4 years and I've had repeat customers tell me that the first one they bought still looks as good as when they bought it. Whew! Made me feel good to know that. It is hard to know since the glue has to be fresh to give a lasting bond and the two materials have to be clean. On some very smooth glass I've "roughed" it up with sand paper or my Dremel to give it a better hold. Overall I think that there are some things even machine made that just don't hold up in the weather. I'm going to continue doing the best I can when making these for sale and hope they last at least 5 years. I'm sure that when I continue to attend the same craft fairs each year I will be told if any fall apart. So far so good. I sold at a craft fair this weekend and did have two repeat customers that bought plate flowers. I was really surprised at how well I did this year. Last year was a little disappointing. It was raining big time, maybe it helped to come in and see all the sparkling glass totems and flowers? My sister came to help me, here's a picture of my booth, I was right at the front door. Marilyn

Hey - you should've been there! This was one of the best Gourd Shows I have been to. Lots of great classes, the new location was superb, lots of wonderful vendors and the gourd competitions were amazing! Have to brag tho that Michigan gourd artists took home over 60 ribbons! Awesome gourds! If you get a chance to get to a gourd show in your area take the time to travel and enjoy yourselves! When we get photos processed we will post them so you can see just what can be done with the humble gourds - you will be impressed! Happy Spring Rita in Michigan

I don't grow gourd either because of not having much sun. I do plan on growing some in containers next year. Looks to me like your first attempt at growing gourds has been very succesful. You gourd looks like a strawberry gourd to me although you did say the package said apple gourd, right. In my favorite book "The Complete Book of Gourd Crafts" it says that by pushing at the base of the stem and the gourd feels firm and solid to the touch it should be mature and should have a waxy skin on it. It should stay on the vine until the vine has dried up and has turned brown. Then you can either leave it outside or bring in inside to a well ventilated place and store off the ground. You can prevent mold from occuring on a freshly harvested gourd by frequently wiping with a mild solution of disinfectant during the long drying process. To hasten the drying process watch to see when the gourd turns from green to a cream white and starts to loosen. But, it will mold faster and you need to watch it and wipe frequently with water and disinfectant. If you decide that this is something you really want to get into, I definitely suggest the "The Complete Book of Gourd Crafts" by Jim Widess and Ginger Summit. The are very well known in the gourd world and the book tells you everything you need to know from putting seeds in the ground up thru decorating. Lillie, your photos of your gourds are very good. Post some new ones when you get them. Nonnie

When I first started working with gourds I had no idea about the molds and respiratory problems they can cause. I was cutting and sanding and scraping like crazy,having a good old time! After a few days I started having headaches daily,something out of the ordinary for me.I ended up getting a whopper of a sinus infection,but had no idea why.After about a month of working on the gourds and having the ongoing sinus infection and daily headaches,I accidently ran across an article about the safety measures one should take when working on gourds.I now wear a mask when cutting and cleaning and when possible do the work outside. I use acrylics and a sealer on my gourds also.Some gourds have a waxy coating on them and paint will not adhere to that.So far all but a few of the small ones that I have worked on haven't had that coating.If they do soak them for 20-30 minutes in warm water with a little dish detergent added and scrape them with a knife. You can also use colored pencils(map colors)for a more subtle color,pastels and many different dyes.You can order the dyes off the internet.You can do a Google search and find lots of information.Be prepared,gourds are addictive! Happy gourding!!!.................Lillie Here is a link that might be useful: Gourd supplies