Creating decorative objects from dried gourds is a perfect craft for those wanting to make something both useful and creative. Gourds can be used indoors for jewelry boxes, bowls, lamps, and more, with your imagination as your only limitation, or outdoors as birdhouses. Because they are crafted from natural materials, they are usually accepted by birds looking to take up residence quite quickly. To get the feel of working with gourds, complete instructions for two projects follow.

Materials List for Birdhouse

• Dried gourd, from last year's garden, or purchased. Nearly any shape will work as long as the size is reasonable for birds to use.
• Drill with both an 1/8" bit and a 1" to 2" spade bit
• Sandpaper
• Long handled wooden spoon for scraping clean the inside of gourd
• Nylon rope or heavy duty fishing line for hanging finished gourd
• Decorative material, including paints, Modge Podge, dried flowers, and ferns, paint markers, etc.
• Face mask
• Krylon Make it Last Clear Coat Sealant or other outdoor safe sealant spray

Note: Be sure to wear facemask when sanding and cutting gourds to prevent breathing in dust and mold spores.

Preparation of Gourd

If the gourds you intend to use are from your own garden, you will have spent the last year drying them in a cool, ventilated area. Gourds should be rotated often to keep mold from building up. Next, wash, scrub, soak, and scrub again each gourd until completely clean. Materials needed for this step include water and tub, copper scrubber, (do not use steel wool!) loofah, towels, hard work, patience, and lots of sun. Start by soaking gourds in some warm water. Scrub off excess dirt and extra layers of skin, using the copper scrubber if needed, otherwise using a loofah. Once they are clean, dry with towels and place out in a sunny area to completely dry.

If small amounts of dry mold are present when gourds are ready, sand lightly. Discard any obviously moldy gourds. If purchasing gourds, inspect and reject any that have soft spots. If purchasing via mail order, inquire before placing order on conditions of gourds.

Entry Hole Diameter

With spade bit in chosen size, cut entry hole, with size dependant on type of birds you wish to attract, approximately two thirds of the way up one side. Do not cut hole lower as birds will avoid those homes where holes are cut to low, possibly allowing babies to fall out prematurely. Some suggested sizes:

Wrens and bluebirds require holes cut between 1” and 1 ¼”.

For chickadees, drill the opening approximately 1 1/8”.

Purple martins and flickers require larger holes measuring 2 ½”.

Cleaning Interior

Once hole is cut, clean inside carefully. The handle of a long handled wooden spoon works well. Swish around inside, breaking up as much of the interior as you can. Inside will not be entirely clean. Shake out what loose material you can. Avoid cracking gourd or entry hole by being to aggressive. Complete this step by lightly sanding edge of entry.

Drain Holes and Hanging

Using 1/8" bit, drill several holes in bottom of gourd for drainage, allowing any water that may enter from rainstorms, etc., an exit point. Also, drill a hole though the top part of the gourd. Run rope or line through drilled hole, knot, creating hanging loop.

Decorating

Gourds can be decorated in whatever manner you choose. Arrange dried flowers and apply Modge Podge, or paint directly onto the gourd with acrylics. Inked designs work well, and the variety of stamps available makes it possible for even the non-artistic to create a pleasing design. Seal design with several coats of Krylon Make it Last Clear Coat Sealant or other outdoor safe sealant spray, and reapply as needed.

Materials List for Sweet Grass Edged Bowl

• Dried gourd, from last years garden, or purchased. Round shapes with flatter bottoms make the best bowls.
• Wooden spoon for scraping clean the inside of gourd
• Sandpaper in heavy and fine grits. Start with the heavy and finish with the fine.
• Drill and 1/8" bit
• Carpenters pencil or chalk
• Krylon Make it Last Clear Coat Sealant or other outdoor safe sealant spray
• Sinew
• Yarn needle
• Sweet grass for bowl edge, amount required will depend on width of bowl's edge, and thickness applied.
• Hand saw

Note: Finished bowls are for decorative use only.

Cutting and Cleaning

Mark bowl at desired height, and cut. Save top for possible future project. Clean bowl's interior with spoon. If needed, take a small metal chisel or similar object and clean interior to as smooth a surface as possible. Once you have removed all of the rough interior, sand interior, and edge, until smooth.

Drilling Edge

With carpenter's pencil or chalk, mark evenly spaced holes around the circumference of the bowls edge, approximately ¾" down and ½" apart. Drill each hole with 1/8" bit. Brush off any excess dust, and sand any rough areas around drilled holes if needed.

Sealing Bowl

Spray several even coats of Krylon Make it Last Clear Coat Sealant or other outdoor safe sealant spray, allowing gourd bowl to dry thoroughly between coats. If you wish to decorate bowl in any manner along with the sweet grass, do so now before proceeding to the next step. Painting or etching are both nice additions, and compliment the sweet grass edge beautifully.

Applying Sweet Grass

Cut a piece of sinew approximately four times the width of the bowl's edge, thread yarn needle with sinew. Lightly roll short lengths of sweet grass. Apply evenly around the bowls edge, holding each length in place by wrapping sinew around sweet grass and through pre-drilled holes. Secure sinew by overlapping beginning holes at the end; tie a knot towards the inside of the bowl's edge and weave into previous sinew wraps to finish.

Choosing Gourds and Other Projects

Once you have accomplished one or both of these gourd projects, you will find yourself looking for other items to make with gourds. Do not despair, as there are numerous project ideas waiting to be made. When choosing one, such as a lamp or jewelry box, consider the project before choosing the gourd. If an item is going to hang, as in the birdhouses, the bottom shape is not as important as when you are constructing a project that will need to sit at least relatively level. Look for gourds that are flat on one side or across the bottom. A gourd that is flat across one side could be cut in half long ways, with the side becoming the project's bottom. For a project that may have additional weight, such as a lamp, look for a gourd that has both a flat and wide base, so that it is stable when finished.

Besides the design concepts touched on here, many other forms of decoration exist. Etching on gourds is a very eye-pleasing concept, as is applying alternative materials, such as leather, and beads. Whatever project or design idea you choose, it will surely be the first of many to come.