We’re very excited about one of our newest gourd collections – Wildflowers. The new collection could be described as “rustic chic”. Each piece is natural in color with a beautiful flower to decorate the center.

The medium lit gourds are approximately 5 1/2″ in diameter and comes with a green electric light that shines through the vine cut out design.

Medium Lit Wildflower Gourd

The small is approximately 4″ in diameter and comes with a rawhide tie around the neck of the vase.

Small Gourd Vase

How beautiful would one of these gourds look as part of a rustic bookshelf display like this one?

image courtesy homeportfolio.com

It’s time for the February Product of the Month! Or, in this case, a whole family of MacBunnies.

This warm and sunny weather has us dreaming about the arrival of spring. And what better way to prepare for spring breezes and the Easter season than with this adorable family of gourd bunnies!

The MacBunnies are available in two sizes – the small (right) is approximately 2″ in diameter and the medium version is approximately 5″ in diameter (left). The medium MacBunnies also have an electric light installed with a kite cut-out in the belly and a bow tied around their necks.

And the colors! Our medium MacBunnies are available in pink, blue and yellow and our small MacBunnies are available in pink (complete with pearls) and blue (buttons down the front of his vest, too). The small sized MacBunnies also feature a puff of cotton for a tail.

Welcome the MacBunnies into your home this Spring.

Perhaps one of the oldest uses for gourds are as vessels for holding and transporting liquids. Dippers, bowls and drinking vessels have historically been crafted from gourds by peoples from around the world.

Have you heard of the drink called yerba mate?  An infusion that hails from Argentina, it has become increasing popular over the years, due in part to its rejuvenating and antioxidant properties.  This link will tell you all about how to prepare the drink and its history, but what we want you to know is that the bitter infusion is prepared in – and consumed from – a gourd in combination with a metal straw called a bombilla. Our raw roger gourds could be used in crafting a mate gourd, if you so choose. They are also offered for sale at Guayaki and other online vendors.

Curing Your Mate Gourd

We recommend that you “cure” your gourd prior to your first use. This helps to protect the gourd for yerba mate use.

1. Using a teaspoon, scrape the inside of the gourd to remove any loose skin and debris.
2. Fill the gourd ½ full with dry loose yerba mate.
3. Carefully top off the gourd with boiling water. Note: when drinking yerba mate later, DO NOT use boiling water as this can burn your mouth and also harms the flavor of the yerba.
4. After a few minutes the water level should go down as it soaks into the yerba leaves. When this happens, carefully top off the gourd again with boiling water.
5. Let the gourd sit for about 12 hours to allow the yerba mate mixture to penetrate the gourd completely.
6. Empty and rinse the gourd with hot tap water.
7. Scrape the inside again (see step one).
8. Rinse with clean hot tap water and dry quickly and completely (see care instructions).

Caring For Your Gourd

Following a timely cleaning and drying routine after each use, storing your mate in a dry location, and inspecting the gourd prior to each use, should keep your gourd clean.

1. Immediately after each use, empty the gourd of yerba and rinse the gourd with clean clean tap water (if you use hot tap water it will help it dry faster).
2. Hand dry the gourd with a clean towel. (A towel will not completely dry the gourd but helps removes the excess water so the gourd dries faster). Prompt and complete drying is necessary to prevent mold growth.
3. Place the gourd upside down on a rack in a dry location and allow it to dry completely. It may be necessary to dry the gourd near some source of dry heat like a home heat radiator. However, be careful not to place the gourd near a flame or where it could catch fire – the gourd is flammable!
4. When your gourd is dry, store your gourd right-side-up in a well ventilated area. We recommend storing it near a window where sunlight can enter the gourd to help prevent mold or mildew.
5. Always inspect the gourd before each use to make sure your gourd is clean.

Although we have many weeks of winter still ahead of us, it is fun to think about the coming of Spring. We just finalized the dates of our 2012 Spring Open Houses, which also puts us in the mood to talk about bunnies, chicks, and all things Easter!

For just a taste of spring in your home all year long, we suggest our dragonfly, hummingbird, or butterfly! These gourds are simple, modern, and beautiful. The light makes them a great option for a soothing nightlight as well. Just click on any of the images to purchase.

Dragonfly gourd with light

Humminbird with light

Butterfly with light

Meadowbrooke Snowmen are one of the most beloved aspects of our winter collection. The best part is, these gourds can be displayed all winter long well after the holidays. Invite these “snowy creatures” to warm your home this winter.

Charlie Collection

Brambles family

Frosty Collection

Our #1 Selling Winter Product -Nick Collection

Oliver collection

Lana

Stanley family

Meet our #1 selling winter product- Nick!

This gourd snowman head is white in color with a black top. He has an orange carrot gourd nose and a gourd pipe. The large is approximately 8 inches in diameter and comes with an electric light.

Nick will warm up your home all winter long!

Purchase online here.

View our other snowman collections:

The Stanley Family
Oliver Collection
Brambles
Lana
Frosty Family
Charlie

One way to add an interesting touch to your holiday decor is to use gourds as part of  your wreaths.

Our small Angel gourd, Emily, is pictured above attached to the wreath on our Retail Store door. Give the wreath some interest with pinecones and other ornaments.

Any of these gourd ornaments pictured above would make a lovely addition to your wreath!

Picture these little guys on a rustic, snowflake wreath like pictured below.

image courtesy ochristmastress.com

Or get really creative and craft a wreath in the actual shape of a snowflake:

image by Little Things Brings Smiles (click for original post)

The gourd snowman ornament would look adorable in the center of this unique, rustic display!
Click here for the tutorial on how to craft this snowflake wreath. The instructions are for a much smaller decoration, but you can always make it larger to fit any door or space.

THANK YOU to everyone that participated in our online Silent Auction as well as the live Silent Auction at our Retail Store this past weekend.

Here are just a few of the unique, one-of-a-kind gourds that were sold:

Large tree gourd

Snowman with Stars

Caroler

Gourd Nativity Scene

4-tier snowman

Santa Silhouette

Winter Scene

Blue Lit Flower

Visit our Retail Store to pick up your Christmas pickle! Not sure what we’re talking about? The legend of the Christmas pickle goes like this…

In Old World Germany, the last decoration placed on the Christmas tree was a pickle – carefully hidden in the branches. Legend says the one who found the pickle on December 25th would be blessed with a year of good fortune (and a special gift)!

Relive the tradition with your family and friends year after year with our gourd pickle ornament!

Give a gift that is sure to be treasured and enjoyed for years to come – a Custom Pet Portrait Gourd Ornament!

Custom Pet Portrait Ornament at Meadowbrooke Gourds

The ornaments are $15.00 each. Add your pet’s name and year for $3.00. If the ornament needs shipped it is $7.00. Call our retail store for more information: 717-776-6029.

Kate A. Cocoros is the artist that will be painting your custom order. Read about Kate on her website here.