Brauen's Gourds will hold a fall open house from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7, and 1 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8.
The open house is at the rural residence of Don and Jody Brauen, 7140 Tom Fett Road, Bluffton. Hundreds of decorative gourds will be available for sale. The gourds are created in an assortment of themes from seasonal to sports teams.
Inspired by a friend who grew gourds, the Brauens began with a small patch 10 years ago. Since then that patch has grown to cover three acres, producing up to 8,000 gourds a year. Among the varieties customers traditionally see include kettles, martins, bushels, penguins, apples and canteens.
Don, who calls the gourd project a "true craft," says that customers will see lots of new designs in this year's open house.
