Things You'll Need:
- Bleach
- Primer
- Wood stain
- Copper scrubber
- Fine grade sand paper
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Step 1
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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Step 2
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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Step 3
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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Step 4
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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Step 5
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.
