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Gourds and Kids: Art Projects

admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 +0000

If you’ve got kids you know a thing or two about Carpet Cleaning Baton Rouge and how to avoid a kitchen firebut do you know the great secret to kids and gourds? They’re shaped just right for kids to handle and there’s a variety of art projects just perfect for gourds, too! Here are a few of our favorites:
Artistic Gourds: if your kids can be trusted with paint they can paint faces right on the gourds themselves but the secret is that markers work just as well if you’re scared about the mess.
Birdfeeder: Gourds are easy to make into a bird feeder! Simply cut a hole in the body and scoop out the insides – give the thing a few days to dry out and harden and then you’ve got an instant bird sanctuary! Throw in some bird food and hang it from a tree.
Maracas: If your kids like music they’ll love gourd maracas. Simply cut off the top, scoop out the insides, allow the plant to dry out then fill with beans or rice! Tape up the hole in the top and get your band going!

How The Family Can Make A Gourd Birdhouse

admin — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Making a birdhouse out of a gourd can be a great family activity. You can grow your own gourds or buy them from a garden center or farm stand. The best gourd to use is a bottle gourd or sometimes called a Mexican bottle gourd. You want to get a gourd that has 3 or 4 inches of the stem left on as this is how you are going to hang it up. If the gourd is not dried out you must dry it out, placing it in a warm dry area, and this can take several months. Without cutting into the gourd, which will ruin it for making a birdhouse, check that it is dry by shaking it. If you hear the seeds inside the gourd is dry. Once it’s dried, wash the outside of the gourd with soapy water and let it dry. Now you can decide if you want to paint it or just shellac it. If you paint it let the coats dry 24 hours before you shellac it. You must shellac it or it will rot in the weather. Cut a 1 1/2 inch diameter hole in it and clean out the seeds. Hang your birdhouse with a wire through the stem. The birds will do the rest.

Where To Find Gourds Used For Craft Projects

admin — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Crafting is a wonderful hobby to take up. It’s simply amazing what you can make from the strangest objects. Crafts involving gourds are quickly gaining popularity and are especially popular during late summer and fall.

You may have noticed gourds around the table during Thanksgiving dinner or next to the pumpkins while buying a pumpkin for Halloween and thought nothing of them. Gourds may be a simple decoration on their own, but they’re a blank slate when it comes to what you can make from them.

Where do you find gourds to use, though? Craft stores may carry some dried gourds around autumn and there are several web sites that have quality dried gourds for sale. Grocery stores also carry dried gourds as they are commonly used as decorations in autumn.

If your options with dried gourds are not very appealing, you can also get fresh gourds from your local grocer or farm stand, however you will have to let them dry out for a few months before using them for crafts.

Once you have your dried gourds, all that is left is whatever your imagination can come up with for your project. You’d be amazed what you can make from a simple gourd.Take a look here to learn more: Roundup: Pumpkins and Gourds

Different Gourd Arts and Crafts For Kids

admin — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

With Fall fast approaching, there are some wonderful options for kids to do some great crafts with gourds. The first thing that might be good would be a field trip to a local farmer to identify, pick, and then proceed to create works of art with the gourds that are found. This might be good for everyone, as a science as well as an arts and crafts endeavor.

Dried gourds can create beautiful Fall centerpieces, jewelry, and even be used in cooking projects for older children. Smaller gourds dry quicker, and larger ones can be expedited with a dehydrator. Dried gourds can be pierced and strung with elastic string or even wire to create different looks.

Gourds can also be painted, and shellac-ed for bird feeders, after seeds have been removed and left to dry for a time. Again a food dehydrator can be used. Gourds can also be made into musical instuments as well. Placing beans inside can produce a wonderful rattle sound.

For the more labor intense enthusiasts, gourds can also be made into baskets, vases, and even small containers to hold stationery, paper clips, and other stuff. It takes more time to make these items, but are well worth it.

What You Need To Know To Dry Gourds

admin — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Ornamental gourds make for fun craft projects. While the most common use is birdhouses, gourds can be turned into many things. They can be painted to look like ghosts for Halloween, or be part of a unique Thanksgiving centerpiece. Before you can do any craft with them, however, they need to be properly dried.
If you’ve grown the gourds in your garden, wait until early fall time to pick them. This ensures that they are ripe and have already started to dry in the garden. Cut the stem cleanly with a sharp knife. Make sure to leave about two inches of stem for esthetic value. Wash the goard with soap and water, and dry.
With a sharp knife or small drill, carefully make a hole in the top close to the stem. Insert a wire and hang your gourd in a cool, dry place with plenty of airflow. Outside will do nicely, but remember to bring it into the garage when the weather changes and rain or snow is possible. Gourds can take anywhere from four to six weeks to fully dry. You will know the gourd is dry when it is very light, and upon shaking it, you can hear the seeds rattle around inside.
Even under the best of drying conditions, dangerous mold spores can grow inside the gourd. It is best to always use caution when cutting or drilling into the dried gourd. Wearing a paper respiratory mask will ensure that you don’t breath in any mold spores. Gourds are fun and offer a variety of crafting options. They aren’t an immediate craft project, but they are well worth the wait.