How to Burn Gourds
Many people often use gourds as part of their fall harvest décor. Unlike pumpkins, you can dry gourds and use them over again. The art of gourd burning takes practice. However, as you delve further into the craft, you discover new techniques and develop your own as you grow more comfortable with the medium.
Things You'll Need
- Dried gourd
- Paper towels
- Pencil
- Graphite paper
- Masking tape
- Woodburning instrument
Instructions
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1
Clean off the outside of your gourd. Dampen a paper towel and wipe down the gourd. Dry the gourd with a clean, dry cloth. This takes off any dust or dirt attached to the outer surface.
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2
Set up shop in a well-ventilated area, such as outdoors or a well-ventilated garage. Gourds emit a strong odor and dust particles as they're burned. Working in a well-ventilated area prevents unwanted inhalation of dust and odor.
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3
Place your gourd on a clean, flat surface. Look at the shape of the gourd and come up with a design or picture that fits well with the shape. Draw or print out your design or picture.
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4
Cut a piece of graphite paper and tape it to the gourd. The graphite side of the paper faces down; the clean side of the paper faces up. Tape your design or picture on top of the graphite paper. Trace over the sketch or design with a pencil. Press the pencil gently yet firmly as you trace. Remove the graphite paper from the gourd.
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5
Set up your woodburning tools. The type of tool you use depends on your experience. Turn on your wood burner per the instructions that came with your instrument.
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6
Burn the design onto the gourd. Start at the left of your design and work your way over to the right. Complete an entire line in the design or sketch before starting another part. Burn the outline of the design first and add fine details after.
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Tips & Warnings
Practice your techniques on a piece of scrap wood or practice gourd. The only way to learn shading and burning techniques is through practice.
Instead of tracing your design onto the gourd, trace it onto masking tape. Place the masking tape on the gourd and burn through it as you craft your gourd. Remove any tape remnants after you complete your design.
As your technique gets better, invest in a more expensive woodburning instrument. Certain types of instruments come with heat adjustments, which give you more shading and drawing options.
Always turn off your woodburning instrument after use.
Never leave your woodburning instrument unattended.
Never use rotted gourds.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
