About THEPODLADY
When I first learned basketry and gourd art in
the early 1990's, my first teacher, Judy
Briscoe, used many natural materials. Her
studio was a riot of skins, dyed reed,
antlers, beads, palm stalks of all types vines
and more. The basketry we produced
included deer antler handles, seagrass,
queen palm stalks as the base,and
philodendron sheaths. This use of
creating objects with natures bounty spilled
over into my gourd work. Over the years, I
have located and purchased supplies of
various pods and dried, decorative
botanicals, and today, I want to share my
great "finds" with you.
About Us
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WHO IS THE POD LADY?
THEPODLADY is otherwise known as Betsey
Sloan, a native of New England and a recent
transplant to the South. In her previous
professional life, she was a public relations
director for a large health care corporation.
Since retiring in the early 90's, she has
become a recognized instructor of gourd art.
She also taught natural and reed basketry up
until a few years ago when she began
focusing all her creative drive on gourd
vessels.
Over the last 14 years, Betsey has taught at
major art and craft schools, such as the
JCCampbell Folk School, The Brookfield
Craft Center, and Fletcher Farm Art and Craft
Center. She has taught gourd art at gourd
gatherings and private studios all the way
from Maine to Florida and as far west as New
Mexico.
She has also owned and operated an artisan
gallery in Grand Isle, VT, representing 75
other artists. She taught basketry and gourd
art out of at a small studio within the gallery
while also doing the fine art/fine craft show
circuit.
She is certified in Art Silver and Precious
Metal Clay as well. Her gourds have sold in
galleries in New Hampshire, Maine, South
Carolina and Florida. Her vessels have taken
blue ribbons in various gourd exhibits,
especially for her work with InLace on which
subject she has written her first craft book.
She was very active in her local gourd Patch
and with the SC State Society. She is also a
AGS Certified Gourd Judge.
Betsey, her husband and three cats, have
recently relocated to Franklin, NC.
THEPODLADY is otherwise known as Betsey
Sloan, a native of New England and a recent
transplant to the South. In her previous
professional life, she was a public relations
director for a large health care corporation.
Since retiring in the early 90's, she has
become a recognized instructor of gourd art.
She also taught natural and reed basketry up
until a few years ago when she began
focusing all her creative drive on gourd
vessels.
Over the last 14 years, Betsey has taught at
major art and craft schools, such as the
JCCampbell Folk School, The Brookfield
Craft Center, and Fletcher Farm Art and Craft
Center. She has taught gourd art at gourd
gatherings and private studios all the way
from Maine to Florida and as far west as New
Mexico.
She has also owned and operated an artisan
gallery in Grand Isle, VT, representing 75
other artists. She taught basketry and gourd
art out of at a small studio within the gallery
while also doing the fine art/fine craft show
circuit.
She is certified in Art Silver and Precious
Metal Clay as well. Her gourds have sold in
galleries in New Hampshire, Maine, South
Carolina and Florida. Her vessels have taken
blue ribbons in various gourd exhibits,
especially for her work with InLace on which
subject she has written her first craft book.
She was very active in her local gourd Patch
and with the SC State Society. She is also a
AGS Certified Gourd Judge.
Betsey, her husband and three cats, have
recently relocated to Franklin, NC.
Some of you may recognize me from gourd shows in Florida and at Cherokee where
I've taught and had booths, selling Pantone (now Tria) inks and my various
botanicals. Usually folks say "Oh, there's the pod lady." Hence the name for the web
site.
If you are looking for a particular pod or botanical, please feel free to contact me and I
will do my best to find a source for you. In the meantime, please review the web site
and see what you, too, can add to your gourd creations. I also welcome your input
as to the ease of use and layout of my website THEPODLADY.COM.
Betsey Sloan, Gourd Artist/Instructor
I've taught and had booths, selling Pantone (now Tria) inks and my various
botanicals. Usually folks say "Oh, there's the pod lady." Hence the name for the web
site.
If you are looking for a particular pod or botanical, please feel free to contact me and I
will do my best to find a source for you. In the meantime, please review the web site
and see what you, too, can add to your gourd creations. I also welcome your input
as to the ease of use and layout of my website THEPODLADY.COM.
Betsey Sloan, Gourd Artist/Instructor
Gourd with philodendron sheaths,
black acrylic base under crackle
with bronze gel medium coat. Finish
is nautical varnish. Philodendron
sheath rim with frogs mouth pod,
feather and spiny acorn cap.
black acrylic base under crackle
with bronze gel medium coat. Finish
is nautical varnish. Philodendron
sheath rim with frogs mouth pod,
feather and spiny acorn cap.
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Gourd above: Colorant is Tria ink,
metallic acrylic bronze wash, nautical
varnish finish. Rim treatment is coiled
seagrass with a red deer antler,
hibiscus pods and a walnut slice.
metallic acrylic bronze wash, nautical
varnish finish. Rim treatment is coiled
seagrass with a red deer antler,
hibiscus pods and a walnut slice.
Gourd with Tria ink colorant with
bronze gel medium coat, finish is
nautical varnish. Rim of
philodendron sheaths, sponge
mushroom and feather.
bronze gel medium coat, finish is
nautical varnish. Rim of
philodendron sheaths, sponge
mushroom and feather.