Laura Dalton a life-long resident of Hocking Hills and owner of Hocking Hills gourds. 

I fell in love with gourds about 4 years ago after planting my first packet of gourd seeds. I started with birdhouses and have been creating all the different things you can make with them like ocean drums, thunder drums, banjos, bowls, and luminaries. I enjoy spreading gourd joy by making something special for friends and family. They are always surprised it all started with a gourd. 
My husband, Dave, plants every seed I start inside during April.  It is a struggle to keep them healthy all summer and takes a year of drying before you can scrub the mold off and see what hardshell beauty lies underneath. Then begins the challenge of figuring out its best use. There are so many ways to use gourds in art. And most importantly,  “to give or receive a gourd, with goes all the best in life, health, happiness and other good things”, author unknown.