DIY Network

Gourd Lamp Make the ultimate organic lighting. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-127

A plain gourd becomes an elegant pendant light.

Who knew gourds could be so versatile—or so elegant?

Michele Beschen takes organic décor to the next level when she makes beautiful, Moroccan-inspired pendant lights from dried gourds. The lush curves and earthy colors of the gourds help bring a warm glow to any room.

It doesn't get much more natural than growing your own light fixtures in the garden. Scroll down for Michele Beschen's B. Original how-to.

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Materials:

dried gourd
drill and 1/8" bit
Dremel rotary tool with diamond cutting point tool (or similar equipment)
wood stain
polyurethane
dust mask
safety goggles
water, bleach and sponge
keyless light socket and steel nipples
2 lock nuts and washers
lamp cord with power plug at one end
wire cutter/stripper
wrench or pliers
screwdriver

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

• Choose a dried gourd. When selecting a gourd, remember that the top portion of the gourd needs to have enough space for a light socket to fit in.

• Using a saw blade, trim the gourd stem so it is flush with the gourd.

• Drill a hole in the top center of the gourd with a 1/8" drill bit (figure A).

• Cut away the wider portion at the bottom of the gourd (figure B). This is where the light will shine through. You can cut straight across or trace a whimsical freehand design. Michele Beschen used a Dremel rotary tool with a diamond-point cutting tool.

  Safety Alert: Wear a dust mask and safety goggles as you cut through the dried gourd.

• With the bottom of the gourd removed, clean the gourd thoroughly inside and out. Michele Beschen recommends using a sponge and washing the gourd with water mixed with a little bleach to get rid of any mold or bacteria.

• With the gourd cut and cleaned, it's time to decorate. Michele Beschen used wood stain on her gourd so the interesting variations and imperfections would still show through; you can choose a natural wood color or one of the tinted stains. Rub the stain on the outside and edges of the gourd the same way you would to stain a piece of wood, then wipe off and let dry. Seal the piece with a couple of coats of polyurethane.

• You also can leave the gourd its natural color and simply seal with polyurethane. Once the polyurethane is dry, dress up your gourd by drilling holes, putting in jump rings and attaching beads for a fun chandelier look.

• Before inserting the lamp cord, screw one lock nut into the socket. Thread the other lock nut onto the lamp cord (figure C) and thread the cord through the top of the top of the gourd to the inside.

• Thread the cord through the nipple and pull the two exposed cord wires out through the end. Wrap one of these wires around each of the screws on the socket, wrapping toward the direction you'll tighten the screw (figure D).

• Tighten the socket screws with a screwdriver, then insert the socket into the top of the gourd.

• Tighten the lock nut on the lamp cord to the steel nipple.

• Add a low-wattage (25-40 watt) light bulb, and you're ready to light things up with your new light creation!

Don't throw out the piece you cut from the bottom of the gourd: It's chock full of possibilities. For a start, check out Michele Beschen's cool jewelry made from gourds .

Next: Recycle Light Bulbs.

RESOURCES :

Dremel Tools
Website: www.dremel.com