The best I can figure the shapes are from mildews and molds but they're so bizarre and beautiful, something similar to mosaics. I have been wanting to carve and etch some Southeastern Ceremonial Complex motifs on gourds for a while now; but these aren't the ones for that, they are too fancy. I'm not sure what variety of gourds they are but I've planted some of the seed so, god willing I will be able to offer them on Steemit next winter!
While visiting Grand-muh this weekend, I asked if she had any gourd seed, she pointed me toward a box of gourds that had been sitting on her porch out in the weather all winter. For a moment I thought they were dirty but actually there are intricate patterns in browns and grays.
The natural beauty was so inspiring, I decided to make Grand-muh a pair of gourd urns instead of starting my vegetable seed.
I used both a pocket knife and steak knife to score a groove all the way around and kept going around and around until I easily cut all the way through. I made two complete cuts, leaving three pieces. I trimmed the stem down to a short stump on the top section, it became the lid and the stem will be the little knob.
The bands that were in the center toward the neck of the gourds will be the pedestals our urns (the remaining gourd bodies) rest on. I just used a little wood glue to attach the belly to the base.
Lastly, I just used some clear enamel spray paint and gave a couple quick light coats to protect natures artistic designs. They came out great! They look similar to burlwood or maybe like pottery with fun layers of glaze. Grand-muh was shocked at the transformation and cleared a space for them on her mantle. My mum really admired them so I made her one as well.
Was such a simple way to impress and bring joy to a couple lovely ladies! Does anyone have ideas on what else I can make with the last two gourds?
The patterns on them look like intricate inlays! I've never seen them with a stand made like that. Very clever!
Looks good! I've seen birdhouses made from gourds.
Thanks, I did an image search and there are some pretty sweet ones. I'll see what I come up with. I wish they were bigger, I stayed with a family that grew huge long ones in Ain Algara, Syria (tiny mountain village of maybe 100 people) they cut the back out of one and kept it hanging around with a jug of lampoil and a lighter stored in it. The electricity to the whole area randomly went off and on and we'd constantly be getting out the lighter during blackouts. If I had one of those it'd be a birdie mansion. Get into those big sizes and they are actually practical to store stuff in as you would a basket. At the other end of the spectrum, my sister has jewelry gourd.. a tiny hardwood type. Gourds are so cool, I can't wait to grow some!
Those are so pretty! Are they hard to cut?
I appreciate the compliment! Cutting was simple but took maybe 5 mins per cut. I think a thin, fine toothed sawblade would go right though it, like with a hand or scroll saw. If i were mass producing them or doing more detailed cuts I'd go with a saw.