About this Product
Meet Briar, the Whimsical Fall Gourd!
Briar is a charming handmade fall pumpkin gourd with a whimsical personality! She is a unqiue fall collectable that makes a wonderfully gift for a fall birthday or the Halloween enthusiast.
Briar the Fall Pumpkin Gourd will add a touch of magic to your home decor. Whether displayed on a mantel, in your entryway, or as a table centerpiece, she promises to enchant your home with her unique handmade charm. Embrace the spirit of the season with this delightful creation, perfect for halloween celebrations!
Handcrafted from Dried Gourds: Crafted from real dried gourds that I source from farms across the United States, Briar started her journey as a humble seedling and has been transformed into a delightful autumn decoration. To make my gourd characters I use real dried gourds, harvested from farms in the USA. Each gourd is carefully selected to match it's name, personality and hat design.
Artistic Carving: To start I cut open the top and the interior is cleaned out to prepare for carving.Just like carving a fresh jack-o-lantern, Briar's sweet Halloween face is intricately hand-carved to bring out his whimsical expression and personality. I use translucent paints and a wax finish to highlight the natural beauty of the gourd shell, giving it a smooth and polished texture.
Autumn themed Hat: Adding to her charm, Briar, is wearing a beautifully crafted fall hat inspired by the Mad Hatter's whimsy. The hat features textures and foliage that capture the essence of fall. Built-in wires allow for adjusting the brim, giving each pumpkin a unique look.
Natural and Authentic: The interior of Briar, remains unpainted, preserving the authenticity of the gourd as a real vegetable. This touch ensures that its natural origins are appreciated; no plastic here!
Tealight Candle with Timer: Briar comes with her own tealight candle featuring a timer function. Simply turn on the timer around dusk, and the candle will illuminate Briar's smile for about six hours before automatically turning off. When all your gourd friends light up at sunset it creates a magical feeling in your home! You don't have to touch the candle again until the battery needs replacing.
Measurements:
Height:11 inches Width: 6 inches
Thank you for visiting the BoutiqueBarn,
Happy Fall Y'all! Christy :)
BoutiqueBarn
Meet the Maker
Hello friends! My name is Christy and l welcome you to my shop :)
In my handmade shop, I feature unique pieces of home decor that add a little rustic and a little whimsy to your home.
I began my handmade journey of wood-burning artwork on reclaimed wood. The beautiful brown color in my artwork is created with pyrography, "drawing with fire". It is the perfect complement to the reclaimed wood that I use to create rustic wall hangings. All the artwork is wood-burned by hand, using pyrography tools.
When I discovered the incredibly versatile dried gourds, it was love at first sight! I instantly added them to my creative routine. I've always adored pumpkin carving, and here was a similar natural vegetable that will for many years without the shelf life of a fresh pumpkin. The dried gourd shells are very hard and perfect for carving and pyrography!
I use the gourds to create whimsical fall pumpkin characters with a ton of personality. I also enjoy turning the gourds into decorative bowls, vases, and vessels. Each gourd shape is unique, so each gourd piece is a one-of-a-kind!
![This image shows myself sitting with many decorative gourds I have made. A wood burned bear hangs on the wall that I made. This image shows myself sitting with many decorative gourds I have made. A wood burned bear hangs on the wall that I made.](https://d1q8o8ch5u48ua.cloudfront.net/images/maker_profile_pic/2799/Meet_the_maker_image_sample.jpg?t=1707857763)
How it’s Made
Briar, the whimsical fall pumpkin gourd, began her journey as a gourd seedling on farm. Gourds are left to dry on their vines until their shells become hardened and perfect for crafting unique Halloween decorations.
Sourcing Dried Gourds: I'm happy to support gourd farms located in the United States. I purchase dried gourds in various sizes and shapes. Each gourd has unique characteristics, ensuring every creation is one-of-a-kind.
Design: I choose a name and a personality I want to create. Then I pick a gourd shape that I feel reflects the character I have in my mind.
Creating:
The first step involves cutting open the tops of the gourds and cleaning out the dried membranes and seeds. This prepares the gourds for carving and decorating.
I carefully carve their facial expressions, capturing their whimsical charm.
I use translucent paints and finishing wax to enhance their features and bring out the natural beauty of the gourd shell.
Decorating:
Custom Fall-Themed Hats: Using the gourd tops, I craft custom fall-themed hats for each character. I incorporate upcycled fabrics, ropes, and dried botanical elements to create hats that reflect the essence of autumn.
Foliage Arrangement: If a hat doesn't fit the vision, I like to decorate with lots of fall texture elemenets. I use naturally dried berries, rope, acorns, and pine cones.
Personalization: Each gourd is special, so I engrave their unique name onto the back of the gourd shell. This personal touch adds a playful element and makes them delightful to collect and display.
Through this creative process, Briar and her fellow pumpkin gourd friends come to life, ready to bring joy and whimsy to your autumn decor. Each step, from seedling to finished product, is infused with care and craftsmanship, ensuring that every gourd is a true work of art and a celebration of the fall season's bounty.
Shop Policies
Return Policy - I do accept returns. Please reach out to me within 7 days of your purchase.
Custom Orders - I love working with you on special requests. Send me a message with your idea and we can chat about the possibilities!
WOOD WALL DECOR
Processing Time
Custom Pieces - 1-2 week processing time after the proof approval.
Finished Wall Art - Ships within 3-5 business days.
Commonly Asked Questions
Do you offer custom sizes? Yes! If I have the supplies, I am happy to work with the space you have so it fits nicely.
Do you do commissioned work? Yes! I love to help you bring the idea inside your head, out, and into your home.
How long does a custom or personalized piece take? I most often can complete a custom piece in a few weeks, depending on the complexity of the design. The exception is the holiday season. Please reach out to inquire about my current turnaround time.
Do you make wall art for businesses? Yes! Decorating your business with rustic wall art creates a warm and inviting space for your customers and employees. I can recreate your logo or company mottos etc on reclaimed wood.
How do I hang my wall art? I attach a classic saw tooth hanger on the back for you to hang your piece.
Is the wood heavy? All the wood I use is real and solid. Depending on the type of wood, yes it can be very heavy. I would recommend a drywall screw to hang your piece on.
GOURDS
Processing Time
Finished Gourds - I ship your orders within 3-5 days of purchase.
Custom Gourds - I ship your orders within a few weeks.
Commonly Asked Questions
1. Can I order a customized gourd character? Yes! I am happy to work with you on a personalized gourd for you. Just reach out and we can chat about your idea.
2. Can I order the hats separately? Not at this time. I use the coordinating gourd top to make the hat base. So the gourd top/hat fits the gourd exactly. I am contemplating making hats separately. Let me know if this might be a good idea... I'd love your input!
3. Can I use the gourds to decorate outside? These gourds are dried, but I wouldn't recommend letting them get wet with the weather elements. It's best to keep these as "indoor gourds".
4. Can I name my gourd? Sure! If you would like to name a gourd just let me know. This would fall into a custom piece, so I would just need a week or so to create this gourd for you.
5. Are there additional charges for custom gourds? This depends on the request. Please just send me a note with your request and I can let you know.