How To Do Gourds! (Part Three)
...To continue and conclude my GOURD CRAFTS...
Parts one and two can be read at Junie's Place!... Click on my profile to find the way! This place is still under construction, you know!
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How To Do Gourds! (Part Three)
…To continue with my gourd work…
This post is about Birds, Bowls, Vases and Birdhouses.
Only the birds are embellished with paper Mache…or added bits, here and there …as in beaks and hats!
The birdhouses- (mini and full size) - the bowls, and vases-are all done with a wood-burning tool. I draw a freehand design and then burn it out with my burning tool, being careful not to burn through the gourd all the way.
The bowls and vases:
To make the bowl or vase, of course, you have to be able to cut the top part away and clean out the seeds. Sometimes it’s necessary to clean the inside with white vinegar. I sometimes have used a weak bleach solution, to soak for a while. The inside has to be scraped and cleaned thoroughly and dried completely before you can continue. Some people even paint the inside, but I never have.
When gourds are completely dry then you are ready to draw your design and then to start your wood burning! A lot of work and time goes into this! I make a decorative design to finish off the edge of these projects (the tops of the bowls and vases and also around the hole in the birdhouses…I also woodburn the dowel that I use for the perch on the birdhouses!
Bowls used for:
Bowls make good holders for nuts or wrapped candy - in bathrooms - trinket holders-
Or planters (lined with foil)
With the vases that are left tall (the pic I’m showing here) it is not necessary to do more than remove the seeds. That is MY WAY, at least!
Vases used for:
I use these vases for dried flowers etc…. especially pretty for fall decorating!
Birdhouse:
The same process is used- except you’re working with the whole gourd and a hole has to be cut out, after you decide what size you need! (By husband/boyfriend with a fancy power, hole cutting tool!)
:) This can also be done with your wood-burning tool. It just takes longer!
Now is time to draw your design and then start your wood burning!
(I like the Sun Fower design as it gives you a good place for the opening for the birds, but still is an attractive finished design. I add the perch after I have my design drawn, so I know just where I want it!
Painting is the best part! After it’s all painted I usually go over a lot of the burned lines to make it all stand out just perfect and bold!
The last step is the spray varnish to cover the item -as many coats as you like!
Enjoy!
Junie
posted by JunieRose2005 @ 9:26 PM
5 Comments
5 Comments:
The ocean one with the pelican is my favorite! I also love the turtle bowl and the lizard planter. I also liked the coyote/cactus one on your other blog! These are great, Junie! How do you attach the perch onto the birdhouses? Does that require drilling or cutting another little hole, or do you just glue it on?
Thank you so much for doing this!
Oh, and where do you buy a wood-burning tool? Would it be at a craft store like Michael's?
Skye,
OK
The perch is attached by drilling a hole or sticking an ice pick through the gourd and moving it around until you have it big enough . you'll want it to be a snug fit.I use about 6 to 8 inches of the dowel That way you can get it snuggly into the inside of the gourd. I also put wood glue on the tip of the dowel before pushing it into the hole.
Yes, craft stores have the wood burning tools! Other things that are useful in my craft making has been tweezers and the dental equiptment- ( small scissors and clamp holders) that can be found at flea markets .
That one with the water and pelican was a special request from a lady in South Florida. She wanted 2 made like that- but they were not exactly the same when completed! She was pleased with them! This lady bought several of all my crafts! (Several of my papier mache santas and several of my Cypress Knee santas! :)
I suppose these kind of crafts don't appeal to everyone, but those who DO like them want to collect a lot of them!
I've always loved handmade crafts!
:( ... but now you've just about seen ALL my different gourd designs!
Junie
I forgot about your Santa duckies! They are so cute! I'm definitely going to have to give this a try. I think a trip to Michael's is in order, now that the kids are back in school!
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Skye,
Gourd crafting is a lot of fun!
Let me know how it goes.
Junie
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