Join My Journey - cathytyler

1 - Marking the gourd for cutting
Resting pen on glass as gourd is turned, to draw an even line for cutting.

2 - Cut Gourd
Gourd was cut along the marked line with a small hack saw.

3 - Scraping the gourd
Using a spoon to scrape out the seeds and dried pulp from the inside of the gourd.

6 - Sanding the gourd
Using a fine grit sandpaper to sand inside and outside of gourd

4 - Marking the gourd for holes
Using pinky finger to space the marks for punching holes

5 - Punching holes
Using an awl to punch holes that will later be used to attach a binding to the edge of the bowl

7 - Decorating the gourd bowl
Using a wood burning tool to decorate the gourd

8 - Decorating the gourd bowl
More woodburning

9 - Finishing the gourd
Painting the gourd bowl with stain, then polyurethane

10 - The Finished Bowls!
The finished bowls site on the porch railing, with the Pinnacle in the background.

10/14/2008 1:37:38 PM - 001072331998
Gina,  Hope you pick this up, as I'm not sure how else to send you a message.  It helps to let the gourds "season" or "cure" for almost a year.  That way they get good and dry.  The few times I've been successfully growing them, I've let them dry on the vine.  Then hang them up in the garage, on the porch out of the rain, or the attic til the spring or following fall.  Once I've sawed them open, I use a table spoon to scoop out the contents, and scrape the inside.  Then sand with increasingly fine sandpaper.  It makes a big mess, so I do it spring or fall when I can work outside.  Also I get good ventilation that way, which is important.  You might want to wear a dust mask, as you don't want to breath the dust if you can help it.  Have fun!

10/13/2008 2:01:46 PM - 001056744199

Cathy....I think we were on the same hall freshman year at W&M.

Anyway, my husband enjoys growing gourds, but they always look so awful after they have been picked in the fall.  Could you tell me when they should be picked and how long to let them dry.  Then, how do you clean them up before you start doing the carving.....thanks.

Found you on the W&M Alumni site.....