How to Prepare a Gourd for Crafts
The gourd has many uses. In the past, the gourd was a popular tool among the tribes of Africa and South America. The gourd can be used as an instrument, container and decoration. No matter what the use, the gourd is very versatile--that is, with a little preparation. So, whether a gourd is still on the vine or already cured and sanded, there are steps you must take to prepare a gourd for crafts. When you are finished with these instructions, your gourd will be ready for any craft project that you can create.
Instructions
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Cut your gourd when it is mature. Look at the point where the vine meets the gourd. When that area begins to turn brown, cut the gourd. You must cut the gourd when it is mature, not before or after, and place it in a dry, airy place. An under-ripened gourd will rot during the drying process. You can leave the gourd on the vine to dry. Some growers believe that the gourd dries faster this way. However, if this is your chosen method, do not disturb the gourd; let the drying process happen naturally. Either way, the drying process takes a few months to complete.
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Know that cleaning the gourd can be done one of two ways. You can boil the gourd for 20 minutes and let it dry for 24 hours. Sand the outer membrane. Alternatively, you can soak the gourd in warm soapy water. Scrub the outside of the gourd with a copper scrubber. Rinse in warm water and bleach (a small amount to keep away mold). Let it dry overnight.
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Stain the outside of the gourd if you plan to keep it outdoors. Craft projects like gourd birdhouses and flowerpots are exposed to the elements, and therefore will not last long. Apply an outdoor stain to the inside and outside of the gourd to make it last longer. The best application is to dip the gourd into a cover of stain. You can paint and decorate over the stain.
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Prime the gourd if you plan to paint it. The gourd surface doesn't absorb paint well, leaving the color dull. Use primer to make the colors vivid and true. One coat is usually enough.
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Proceed with your project. Now that gourd is hardened, protected and/or primed, you can begin your project. The gourd can now be drilled, hot glued, painted, cut and bejeweled as desired.
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Tips & Warnings
Despite popular belief, there is no way to safely speed up the drying process. If you want a dry gourd in a hurry, go buy one.
Mold on a gourd does not mean rotting, especially when the gourd is keeping its shape. Don't scrape the mold off, it will leave a unique detail on the gourd when dry. Scraping is counterproductive, because the mold will reappear.
Stain your gourd even if you plan to use it indoors. It will protect the shell from the moisture in the indoor air.
Don't scrap your gourd while drying, it will increase the risk of rotting and sometimes make the skin too thin.
Dry the gourd indoors at your own risk. They tend to smell while drying out.
