How to Make Gourd Pottery
Distinctly shaped, gourds can be used for a variety of purposes, including containers, paper weights, wall-hangings or decorative art. If you’ve got a little time, creativity and imagination, you can put this food item to use and impress your friends and family with your artistic abilities!
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Things You'll Need
- Fine-toothed saw
- Gourds
- Knife
- Metal spoon
- Steel wool
- Sandpaper
- Paint
- Carving tool
- Shellac or lacquer
Instructions
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1
Pick and cure vine-ripened gourds, soft- or hard-shelled, when the stems become dry.
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2
Remove the outer skin of hard shelled gourds to help it dry rapidly. To do this, wrap the gourd in a towel soaked in common cleanser. Leave it for several hours to soften.
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3
Remove the towel and scrape the skin off the gourd once the skin is soft.
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4
Put the gourd in a dry, warm place for about a week to let it thoroughly dry out.
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5
Draw a line with a pencil across the area to be cut.
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6
Puncture one spot on the line, and then use a fine-toothed saw to cut along the opening.
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7
Remove the seeds and pulp from inside the gourd. If the pulp is resistant, fill the gourd with water, and let it stand for a few hours before trying again.
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8
Draw a pattern of your decoration on the shell of the gourd in pencil.
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9
Use any type of paint for the design, and use a sharp knife or tool for carving patterns into the dried gourd.
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10
Shellac, or apply lacquer to finish.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Let the shape of the gourd dictate its function--tiny gourds as salt and pepper shakers, drumstick gourds for maracas or ladles, wide, disc-shaped gourds for bowls or cups.
If you're planning to eat or drink out of your gourd, use a non-toxic paint and sealent on the lip and interior.
- Photo Credit The Gourd Reserve
