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  • Decorative Gourd
  • From "DIY Crafts"
    episode DIC-243
    advertisement

    Click here to view a larger image.

    Bored with gourds? Try turning one into a decorative box!

    Click here to view a larger image.

    Figure A

    Click here to view a larger image.

    Figure B

    Tole artist Patti Greenfield turns an ordinary gourd into a creative lidded box.

    Materials:

    Medium-size gourd
    Household bleach
    Water
    Metal scouring pad
    Craft knife with angle and keyhole saw blades
    Dust mask
    Medium-grit sandpaper
    Silk sea sponge
    Wide craft brush (1" or larger)
    Various shades of paint
    Satin varnish
    Grommets, beads or other embellishments
    Glue
    Dust mask

    1. Clean gourd by soaking in bleach water for about 30 minutes. Use a ratio of 1 cup of bleach to 3 gallons of water.

    2. Next, scrub surface of gourd with scouring pad to remove skin. Allow to dry thoroughly.

    3. Wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling gourd dust -- which can be toxic -- while cutting the top "lid" away. For easier cutting, first draw a line around entire gourd, then make a starter hole and use keyhole blade to cut along line.

    4. Empty the gourd's contents and sand the edges.

    5. Paint entire gourd with dark base coat.

    6. Dip sponge in water and squeeze out excess. Dip damp sponge into medium shade and "squiggle" onto the palette paper. Use light taps to sponge the color over the gourd's surface.

    7. Repeat using a lighter color (figure A).

    8. After sponged paint has dried, spray gourd with varnish.

    9. Allow varnish to dry and glue decorations in desired pattern (figure B).


    RESOURCES :
    The Complete Book of Gourd Craft: 22 Projects, 55 Decorative Techniques. . .
    Model: 1887374558
    Author: Ginger Summit

    Gourd Crafts: 20 Great Projects to Dye, Paint, Carve, Bead, and Woodburn in a Weekend
    Model: 1579901522
    Author: Ginger Summit

    Gourd Fun for Everyone
    Model: 0891349936
    Author: Sammie Crawford

    To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.


    North Light Books (F & W Publications)
    Website: www.fwpublications.com

    Decorating Gourds: Carving, Burning, Painting, and More
    Model: 0764313126
    Author: Sue Waters


    GUESTS :
    Patti Greenfield
    11821 E. Artesia Blvd.
    Artesia, CA 90701
    Phone: 562-809-1528
    Fax: 562-809-1529
    Email: toleplus@gte.com
    Website: www.tolepaintingplus.com
    Tole Painting Plus

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