Gourd Inspiration!

How do you know what to turn that gourd into that has been waiting there for you?  Other than those you purchase with a specific purpose, you may have additional gourds that you want to use but do not know what to do with them.  One of the unique gourd characteristics can inspire you and give you hints on what to do.  Here is what gives me ideas on what to transform them into works of art or objects of whimsy. 
  There are many gourd varities, kettle, cannonball, penguin, banana, bottle, dipper, martin, canteen and many more.  First take into account the size and shape of the gourd.  Does that kettle gourd beg to be a bowl or maybe a drum?  Don't be afraid to tackle a new project; there are many YouTube videos put out there by other people so do not let that scare you.  How about that penguin gourd?  Does it look like it would make a good penguin or a whale, or fish, maybe even a scoop or dipper? When assessing what to make out of your gourd, look at it from different angles, straight up, on it's side, upside down.  What does the shape of the gourd resemble?  During this looking process, ideas will miraculously pop into your head, maybe even a few ideas!  I have one gourd that I purchased because it looks like the perfect goose straight up and a jumping porpoise upside down!  I am still contemplating which to turn it into ; )
Next, if you have a gourd and you know you want to make a vase, the patterns created on the gourd during the drying process, may be your inspiration.  Maybe the gourd has an interesting scar on it that can be incorporated into a design. One gourd I found and wanted to make into a vase, had concentric rings of varying shades on one side, as if it had dried sitting in a puddle of water.  These rings had the perfect oval shape of the gourd and it struck me to use those ring colors as a "cameo" to frame a wood burnt design. It turned out beautiful.
What about using that gourd along with OTHER gourds to make something!?  This can get quite fun if you decide to really get creative and put some together.  There are methods to connect gourds of which I will address in a future post, so do not think that you have to use just one gourd at a time.  Also, remember when you cut gourds, save your pieces as they could be perfect to make into small items such as gourd jewelry, or may come in handy as that perfect mushroom cap, or bird wing. 
In conclusion, look and listen to the subtle hints your gourds give you, be fearless and tackle that gourd project and get creative!  You never know.......you might just be a gourd artist!