How to Make Use of Gourds

Gourds can be transformed into many lovely and useful things such as planters, bowls, vases, ladles, Christmas tree ornaments and a home for birds.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Lagenarias, calabashes, and ornamental gourds
• liquid household cleaner
• soft cloth
• warm dry place for storage
• pencil
• sharp knife
• hacksaw
• metal spoon or scoop
• steel wool
• paraffin
• water or oil paints
• protective lacquer

1. Gourds can be purchased in the store. Hard shell gourds must be scraped and cleaned before crafting them into objects. Wrap the gourd in a cloth that has been soaked in a solution of liquid cleanser. Keep it wrapped for several days until the outer layer is soft.

2. Remove the shell by scraping it with a knife. Once the outer shell is removed, store it in a warm dry place for several days so that it gets thoroughly dry.

3. Draw your cutting line with a pencil and then use a knife tip to slit this line. Now cut the gourd open using the hacksaw. Inside you will find pulp and seeds. This needs to be removed and the inside of the gourd scraped clean with the metal spoon or scoop.

4. Dry the gourd completely and then waterproof the inside with a coating of paraffin.

5. Gourds can be decorated in any way that your imagination takes you. After decorating, seal the outside with a coating of protective lacquer. I find that clear is usually my choice.

Tips & Warnings

• If some of the fibers inside the gourd don't want to leave, soak the gourd in water and then use steel wool to scrub them away.
• If the gourd has a narrow neck, fill it with water and use a wire that has been bent in the shape of a hook to clean it out.

[jenbeth]

on 9/11/2009 Great ideas for gourds, thanks!