Alcohol Inks for Gourds – A Great Change Up, But Not For Everyday Use

If you are like me, one of the greatest benefits of working with gourds, is realizing you can look at a single gourd, and imagine countless projects you can do with it.  Wood burning, carving, weaving, and of course painting to name a few.  Of course most of us are familiar in using acrylics and oil based paints - but if you are looking to break out of the routine of set lines and patterns - alcohol based paints may be for you.  This guide will provide a list of supplies so you can start using alcohol inks for gourds.  These inks allow you to let the art take shape, and instead of being bound by set patterns and lines - you'll find that you are merely a passenger as the art goes in the direction it sees fit.

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How to Make a Gourd Lamp or Luminary

How to Make Your own Gourd Lamp or Gourd Luminary

Gourd Lamp

Of all the projects we've seen - one of the favorites has got to be the gourd lamp or gourd luminary if you prefer.  Seeing the gourd lamp light up a room is something to be seen if you've not had the pleasure of seeing one up close.  It really is breathtaking.  In this article we will walk you through how to make a gourd lamp. The size, style, and scope of the lamp is at the sole discretion of the artist without any real limitations as to what can be done.  A mix of hand tools and power tools can be used, as well as variety of light sources.  This can be a great gourdpatch project that, if seen through completion, could be used as a fundraiser, if your patch was willing to part with their works of art.
Let's start with the basics of how to get this project going.

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How To Create A Gourdpatch

How to Create A Gourdpatch

 

I stumbled upon a post on the American Gourd Society Facebook page regarding a reader who was moving out of their state, that had a state gourd society (Michigan), http://www.michigangourdsociety.org/  to Utah.  Utah at the time of this writing currently doesn’t have a statewide gourd society.  Ultimately the discussion became centered around how to create a gourdpatch.

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High Tech Gourd Speakers – (Yes You Read That Right)

High Tech Gourd Speakers

This is a very creative gourd craft and we had to go across the Pacific to find this little story – and it’s fantastic.  We believe you can recreate these on your own.  – and you’ve got to see this speaker in action! Check out the Video

Source: The Japan Times

Using a bottle gourd, Japanese artist Akira Takahashi has merged cutting edge sound with traditional gourd artwork.  Takahashi, 67, came up with the idea of using bottle gourd after realizing the potential of natural products in re-creating sound. (Source)Continue reading

Gourd Planting Guide

As we move closer to spring, it is time to visit the topic of planting gourds.  If you have nice long hot summers, and some space to spare, growing your own gourds can be a very rewarding experience, and with time and patience, will save you a few dollars as you won’t find yourself shopping for gourds for your various projects.Continue reading