September 16 – September 17, 2023
9 am to 5 pm
Overview:
Learn to utilize the natural beauty and shapes of gourds to attract an array of wild birds to your home and garden. Many of these birds feed on flies, mosquitoes, and other insects, often resulting in a decline of bothersome insects around the home.
In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to add your own monochromatic designs (or use provided patterns) to decorate natural gourds with the use of paint, ink, or pyrography tools. Time will allow the student to make two birdhouses, experimenting with styles, patterns, and mediums.
Students will receive education on the behavior of different cavity nesting birds as well as how to attract specific species to your home. Proper birdhouse maintenance will also be covered.
Students will have a choice of learning to drill their own holes with a dremel tool or work on predrilled gourds.
Skills and Techniques:
• Work with natural shapes, patterns, and monochromatic styling
• Potential to learn basic pyrography skills
• Experience using acrylic and pigment inks
• Understanding the behavior of cavity nesting birds
• How to attract various species of birds to your home and garden
Materials Fee: $15 Paid at the time of workshop
Special Tools or Equipment: Pen or pencil and notebook.
Instructors COVID preference: Your instructor reserves the right to require safety requirements depending on the state of the pandemic at the time of the workshop.
Workshop Policies
Please be sure to read our policies before you register for a workshop.
Age Requirements
The minimum age to attend a regularly scheduled workshop is 16 years. We have set this age to ensure a safe, productive, and community-building experience for all of our students. There are no exceptions.
Accessibility & Accommodations
If you have questions about accessibility or would like to request reasonable accommodations, please contact our main office at 603-435-7314.
Student Cancellations
Cancellations must be made at least 30 days prior to the start date of a workshop in order to receive a refund.
Registration and material costs will be refunded, minus a non-refundable $25.00 registration fee.
A full refund will be made for any amount paid for overnight housing.
Sanborn Mills Farm Cancellations
Each workshop must have a minimum number of students to be held. If Sanborn Mills Farm finds it necessary to cancel a workshop, we will notify students two weeks prior to the scheduled workshop start date. A full refund will be provided to registered students. Refunds for a workshop purchased as a gift will be made to the purchaser only. Sanborn Mills Farm cannot be held responsible for any refunds for travel expenses or for off-site housing expenses incurred as the result of a cancellation of any kind.
Housing & Meals
Please refer to our housing page for more information.
Safety
Each workshop has its own safety procedures. Your instructor will review the specific safety requirements at the start of your workshop and throughout your class. Sanborn Mills Farm is a rural setting. If you are allergic to insect bites, please alert your instructor of your allergy and bring an epipen with you. For draft animal workshops or courses requiring time in the woods, be sure to review tick safety procedures from Tick Free NH. We advise students to wear comfortable clothing, comfortable and secure shoes, and consider your personal needs for a day or extended stay.