This project was designed and demonstrated by Dorisanne Soyka. Materials: pencil
field-grown gourd
plastic scrubber
utility knife
keyhole saw
melon baller
face mask
alcohol-based brown and green leather dye
awl
clear acrylic sealer
waxed linen thread or other heavy thread
tapestry needle
6" fresh cut rosemary sprigs
seed pods and beads (optional) Steps: 1. Wash dirty exterior of the gourd with warm water and a scrubber. 2. Draw your desired opening on the gourd with a pencil and make your first cut with a utility knife. 3. Insert the keyhole saw into that opening and cut off the lid. 4. Remove the interior mold, seeds, etc., of the gourd. Fill the gourd with water and soak with water for five or 10 minutes before scraping it out with the melon baller. Wear a mask while cleaning the interior of the gourd to keep from breathing in the mold spores. 5. While the interior is still damp, dye the inside of the gourd a neutral color (figure A). 6. Measure holes around the opening every 3/4 inch and poke through with your awl (figure B). 7. The gourd is now ready to be dyed with the leather dye. Dye the bottom half first, putting the brown dye on sparingly, wiping and smearing with a paper towel. Then add green, wiping to blend in with the brown. Keep adding dye and wiping until you are satisfied with the blending (figure C). 8. Seal the gourd with acrylic sealant. Always wear a mask when using spray acrylic sealant. 9. Measure your thread around the top of the gourd and double that length to be sure you have enough thread. Start with two rosemary sprigs and tie a square knot around them, through one hole and to the top of the gourd rim. Weave it in, going around from the outside of the gourd in, adding a new sprig every other hole (figure D). Pull tight to keep sprigs secure. Continue around the whole rim, overlapping the first couple of holes and tie off in the inside of the gourd. 10. Tie on any seed pods or beads, using an existing hole in the gourd's rim ( figure E). Tips: - Use rubber shelf liner under the gourd on the table, lap, etc. to prevent slippage . - Wear gloves when using leather dye. Rubbing alcohol will take off some of the stain if you get on your hands.
RESOURCES :
The American Gourd Society
The American Gourd Society is your main source for gourd information there is the Ohio Gourd Show, held annually during the first full weekend in Oct.
The American Gourd Society
Website: www.americangourdsociety.org
GUESTS :
Dorisanne Soyka
Gourd Artist
Sedona, AZ
E-mail: gourddes@aol.com
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