Kathleen Troutman

I enjoy making things. I've always been an artist and writer, as long as I can remember. I wrote my own little books and drew pictures for them. As I grew up, I wanted to learn how to make everything. I don't throw anything away-I make it into something else or at least I make it prettier!

A lot of what I do now I have a hard time finding a slot for-because I don't do one thing. I draw, I sew, I write, I refinish, refurbish, repurpose. The items on this site will be changing. If you would like to see more, buy something on this page, or would like me to make something new out of something you were thinking of throwing away, please contact me at my email address
kathleenktrt@earthlink.net. My website is being revamped and will be linked here soon.

My gourd work is something that I can use most of my skills with. I freehand the design on the gourd-after I clean it, sand it and finish the inside-burn it in and lay the color in with colored pencils. The final project is finished with shellac-inside and out.

The furniture is sanded and repaired (when needed), then the design is burned, colored and finished with shellac.

SADIE: CANTEEN CONTAINER
This is a canteen gourd, flat bottomed, about 12” around and can either hold treasures or simply be enjoyed from all angles. The designs go all he way around and change.  Bottom photo shows container open. (sold)

PRIS: This gourd is large enough to hold quite a lot. I have one in my kitchen I use for tea! It is 12" around, about 8 " tall and is finished inside and out. The design is burned in and colored in bright pencil. ($65)

SYLVIE: CANNONBALL GOURD (uncut)
It can be enjoyed form several angles, as the designs change as you move around the gourd. I consider it a gourd sculpture. ($65)

GOURD ORNAMENTS. These small gourds are basically egg shaped and only a little larger than large hen's eggs. They make wonderful ornaments for Christmas, but I keep them in baskets and bowls around the house all year. They are colorful, bright and add a lovely bit of color and contrast to home decor in any season. ($15 ea)

ROUNDS These ornaments are made from plastic balls, not gourds, but are used the same way. ($10 ea)

FURNITURE

3' square mirrors. These mirrors are also burned and colored, then finished with shellac. Both sold for $300 each.