St. Charles show features work of area artists

While images of sugar plums may seem more fitting for a Claus family, it is gourds that have caught the artistic eye of Dave and Rosie Claus of Naperville.

The couple, both retired teachers, began working with gourds over 10 years ago after taking a trip out west to Colorado and seeing gourd art for the first time.

"The gourd had nothing on it, just a black finish," Rosie recalled. "I thought it was just gorgeous."

Dave, who does woodworking as a hobby, and Rosie, a basket weaver, decided to combine their talents to produce what Rosie calls "really beautiful vessels." All gourds used by the couple are dried for a year then Dave works on the base and hand waxes the gourd using all natural colors. Rosie then begins weaving a design for the top of the gourd.

The couple, who began the business Off The Vine Gourds, showed at the St. Charles Fine Art Show last year and are returning again this year with about 130 handcrafted pieces in tow. The gourds range in price from $55-$100.

The Clauses are just two of over 100 local artists showing their goods at the Fine Art Show this year, a group that also includes jewelry maker Claudia Walsh of Elgin.

Walsh, who operates the business Dry Creek Trappings, is a fourth generation metal smith and likes to incorporate many of the precious stones she finds on her travels into her jewelry. Each piece is unique and, according to Walsh, can take weeks to design and create.

"Some of the designs I haver percolating in my head for many, many months," she said. "The manufacture time really depends on the complexity of the piece."

Showing and selling everything from money clips to cuff links to pendants, Walsh also accepts commission orders as well. This year marks her third year showing at the St. Charles Fine Art Show.