HI ALL here is another hobby of mine.i make gourd bird houses then draw pitchers on them.then take a wood burner and burn the pitchers into the gourds.then varnish them.i make them just to give me something to do on cold or rainy days.you have to wash them first then sand them.but they make very pretty bird houses.just though i would share with evryone.heres a few photos.
[img]http://www.msnusers.com/_Secure/0SgAAAFUVQQNA*E*fl4TqGi4UbOK6agZFgjka9w6cJUA9kW2oa!YfTlYtGTmozZJDhdvda6!LDjq*byq90YMhOxA3QL40fOnybzHN3ll1ltZpMolnE96YOA/Jul04%5E51.JPG?dc=4675529289322665851[/img]
[img]http://www.msnusers.com/_Secure/0SgA3BVYVgANA*E*fl4TqGoiUd06iVNq5F0vOGKy75BCtkWFZlL6uKtsdbv6At41EI9hZ24UotdtonjqpQy3jPo4BXWBFanrMsEmMN7gSFi8nGbZb65BBIg/Jul04%5E52.JPG?dc=4675529289397059457[/img]

[img]http://www.msnusers.com/_Secure/0SgAJAFkVPQRA*E*fl4TqGr6pFaPUzva2nN5O9GJV*mquFHctrB7scnzWyZ9FUsKyaTxvWBdJ7pJVN5zZWMW78htoWJloaqHIzLBxwpuLxlNh4DuSCox7hQ/Jul04%5E55.JPG?dc=4675529289486013002[/img]

[img]http://www.msnusers.com/_Secure/0SgAJAFoVfARA*E*fl4TqGtg7CWPNNQNWnZr1IcKHNUXhI3YPuglb*Ux5z4rCuEXTLi8SuJfA5jtLgC7eZfvvsd2iMlUwj0tapSOKDyeEh1T*eDVi2WPLZQ/Jul04%5E56.JPG?dc=4675529289570273897[/img]
hope you all injoy the photos.your friend in gardening.mike57

I love those. Did you grow the gourds yourself? How much sanding is involved? Is there an outer skin you have to take off? How do you get the round center hole in it? How long do they last after you make them? Do you have stuff on the inside that you have to take out? Is there a drying process, like for wood? Tell tell please.

HI TK yes i grew the guords and hung them up to dry till they turn brown then shake them if you hear the seeds rattle there ready to start. then take a scrubby pad and scrub them clean.then just sand them all over to get a kinda ruff finish on them.i use a hole saw in a drill like you cut holes in doors with to put in the door latch and knobs to make the holes.you can also burn them in but it takes awhile.they will last abought 1 year in open weather.but under a overhang they will last a long long time.after you make the hole you have to clean out the insides you will get a bunch of seeds for next years guords and some pulp kinda like paper this can be put in your mulch pile.then just draw your pitcher then woodburn that.drill small holes at the top to put a wire through to hang them by also drill 5 or 6 small holes in the bottom for drainage of rain water they also let the guords breath with a nest in them. then just varnish them i use a latex varnish that cleans up with water.when there dry about a day then there ready to use.hope this helps.your friend in gardening.mike57

those are beautiful!! I'm growing gourds this year and hopefully they grow in time to make gourds! I started them kinda late :-(

Yep that was my next question. How long does it take to grow the gourds to maturity? And what kind of soil conditions do they need? If I'm pestering you just let me know or ignore me. I just have so many questions.

HI TK guords will grow in about any kind of soil let them grow till you get a few frosty nights the folage will start to die back.then you can cut them off the vines leave enough vine to tie a string on it then hang them up to dry it will take quite awhile for them to dry.and no you ar not bothering me i injoy helping others you know that some guords will grow bigger than others but all can be used.just make sure they get plenty of air circulation around them if you sit on a table or anything flat they will get deformed.some folks just leave them on the vine to dry this works ok to.your friend in gardening.mike57

Mike, My Friend in Gardening.....
I need the finger waving gremalin here.....
ARE YOU USING A DUST MASK WHEN SANDING THOSE
GOURDS??????????????????

The dust if very~very BAD FOR YOUR LUNGS!!!!


I'll send you some info if you would like to read some info...

Also, THOSE ARE GORGEOUS BIRD HOUSE'S,
You do B~E~A~U~T~I~F~U~L Work!!!

YEP

Good to hear Mike...
I hate to have some knowledge of somethings
and not pass it on if the other gardener's
didn't know...
But VERY glad you do...

But if any other person comes along to read this post, they'll know to wear a mask!!!!

That's a constant here~~~~~~~~>

And you are quite welcome on the birdhouse's..
You've got a good eye...
Do you keep them all to yourself, or do you go
locally and sell some???

Mike

this is very beautifull,you could make money with that.

it s a lot a work ,you are a multitalented person.i wish i d have your talent and patience to do that.

keep up your good work

good night!

Hi Mike! Those are beautiful!!!

HI ALL thank you all for you very nice compliments on my work.i do sell some of them the ones i do not use in my yard evry year.i also make old barnwood bird houses and butterfly houses from old or scrap wood i recicle things if it can be use to make things.i also make twisted canes from small trees damaged by vines i cut them and let them dry then remove the vine then cut a way any small branches then sand them and varnish them.i sell most of my things at the 450 mile yard sale we have here evry year it runs from gadsden alabama up to some part of ohio.i also sell a lot of plants that i grow evry year.i try and use things mother nature gives us to use as we please but only use things that are damaged or grown.or a old barn that some is tearing down.i will try and post a photo of the canes i make on here soon i have some drying that i just varnished.i cant do much at a time but i do injoy my hobbys between them and my flower gardends i dont get much time to rest though.but have taken the last 2 day of not doing anything due to all the rain.but guess i need the rest.but cant stand being cooped up i am a outdoors person.i would like to thank you all again for your very nice coments on my craft bobbys.your friend in gardening.mike57

can't wait to see the canes you do! they sound beautiful too! man I sure hope my gourd vines make gourds this year! I also have luffa gourd growing :-)

My gardening friend, you are very talented!

Dianna