A New Gourd Project

Currently I'm in Tokyo, Japan and this is where I went today: The Museum of Natural History and Science to see this exhibition:

But before I left, I created several gourds using Tiny Tools from Proxxon. Actually the one that I used the most was the Proxxon Jigsaw STS 12E with the Foot Switch FS.

The Supplies Used in this project were:

1 Medium/Large Gourd Cleaned Gourd (outside)

1 Bundle of Dyed Pine Needles

1 Spool of Waxed Cord

1 Bottle of Leather Dye

Latex gloves

Small piece of cloth for applying dye

Throw away paintbrush (small)

Embellishments 

Kamar Varnish

Drill

Proxxon Jig Saw STS 12/E

Foot Switch FS

The gourd that I used is called a Warty Gourd because I wanted something different with a lot of texture:

Isn't this unique? And they actually grow this way. They are very hard to clean however because of the warts being so close together in some areas.

 This is a picture of the gourd with the top cut and the insides cleaned out. The Proxxon Jig Saw STS 12/E is an excellent saw for making quick work of cutting a gourd and using the Foot Switch is an absolute lifesaver, since it frees both of your hands to hold the gourd and also the jigsaw without having to let the gourd go to turn off the saw.

 I next used the leather dye to color the gourd. I used a mahogany color on a soft cloth to color it with and I let the dye run in many places and used the paint brush to get into and under the "warts" on the gourd. Please make sure you have your gloves on! If you don't be prepared to wait for the dye to wear off your hands!

Once the dye is dry, seal the gourd with the Kamar Varnish.

"

 After the dye is sealed I used my drill to make holes 1/4" from the top of the gourd and spaced evenly around. I then wove four rows of the dyed pine needles around the gourd and finished it off with a couple of beads and a slice of black walnut.

I think I ended up with a very pretty and unique piece of Art don't you? All made easier by using Proxxon Tiny Tools!!!

Barbara