A Good Gourd Project For You

Pumpkins and other gourds are some of the most iconic offerings of the fall season, and they can serve as eye-catching décor long before and well after Halloween has come and gone. If you would like to put some decorative gourds to use, check out these fun do-it-yourself projects to add some autumn flare to your home.

Prep and Cleaning

Before you can do anything creative, you have to prepare your gourd for the project. If you’re picking one right off the vine, check to see if the stem is dry and even slightly brittle. That’s a sure sign that it’s ready to be picked. If you try to work with a gourd that’s still green or that still has too much moisture, it might start to mold quickly, so don’t let them dry indoors.  A soak in water with a little bleach will help cleanse the surface from dirt and other blemishes, and a good rinse and scrub should finish the job.

DIY Lamps

Jack-o’-lanterns aren’t the only way to light up a gourd this season. You can carve any pattern you want into a gourd, and adding a candle or light bulb will turn it into a distinctively ambient light source. Cannonball and bottle gourds are ideal for making your own gourd luminary,  and a drill can be used to poke small holes for numerous luminous points. Your imagination is the limit, and the pattern seen in this tutorial shows that the right shape and design can resemble hot air balloons or even classic Christmas ornaments. A light bulb within makes for a warm and steady glow, while a real candle lends a mesmerizing effect as the light dances and waves.

Pumpkin Planters

Once you’ve hollowed out your gourd, it doesn’t just have to be a light source. You can coat it with acrylic paint and a smooth stain to turn it into the perfect vessel for housing plants. Gourd planters make great seasonal gifts, and they add some variety to your front step décor.

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