Challenge: Create a gourd lamp with light holes that project an interesting pattern
Math, engineering, and patience help bring Przemek Krawczyński answers to this problem that produced a marvelous product. In this post, I will share some of his answers and his process.
An average Poland student in Civil Engineering for over 7 years, Przemek work in an architectural studio drawing. A great career path totally in front of him. Then in 2010, he took a vacation trip to Senegal and his life changed!
He bought a bag of gourds and when he held one in his hand and felt the smooth roundness of the form, his mind wandered around several creative ideas. Finally, it settled on trying to create a gourd lamp with light holes which would project a geometric pattern around the walls of a room.
“Gourd lamps are popular in Poland, But I decided to change the way we think about them. They can bring art to the wall!
Eventually, Przemek Krawczyński quit his studies and bought a dental drill and bits. He gathered cleaning tools and created a small studio desk at home and began. The family feared the unknown future in his new career and friends wondered what he was thinking? But he moved ahead with a passion to make it work. Months were spent in a bent position over one object! Would it pay off?
Like most gourd artists, he started with what he knew.
My inspirations are fractal art and harmonious pattern. I look for harmony and cohesion. I enjoy complicated, varied, and composite patterns.
He knew he could apply some of this knowledge to find a way to make a gourd lamp with light holes work the way he envisioned them.
He pulled out his geometry books and. started with his favorite scientific grids, the Nephentis, Leaferis. Escher’s leaves and the golden spiral. As the lamps came together, he bought more drills and explored ways to make the holes more precise so each would project clearly on the wall.
For this reason, it took months and several gourds and many hours before he found the right tools and process to get what he wanted. He began putting his finished gourd lamps on social media and then suddenly a website found them and pushed his work all over the internet. Soon design publication feathered his work and Calabarte Lamps was born.
This gourd lamp with light holes would involve math and precision
Each lamp begins with the drawing of the lines. Of course, everything must be drawn with mathematical precision. Every lamp has over 20,000 to 30,000 holes! This is where time moves slowly with long hours of work bent over his gourd. Most lamps will take over three months to complete. Every hole must be drilled in the direction of the light source. in this process, he uses 21 different diameters of bits.
The Correct Tools are Essential with his Gourd Lamp with light holes
Over time, he has tried several drills and bits and offers us this suggestion.
For me, the most important parameter is the constant shank diameter, which in the case of the standard drills changes along with the diameter of the drill itself.
Thanks to the constant shank diamete, he can use just one type of collet with all the drills, which make changing the drills more efficient. With several thousand holes to drill, it does matter.
“I use the brands Meisinger or Busch. I like Drill HSS 203, Shank Ø 2,35mm. Or the Dremel 628 drill for metal.”
Przemek’s gourd lamp with light holes take special bulbs
“The smaller the light source, the closer the single point, the better because we want each hole to project one clearest possible light point on the wall. If the blub is too big, like a milk bulb or a large LED bulb, the points will be blurred or overlapped.
The bulbs I use for my gourd lamps are halogen or Philips CorePro LED 1.2 W. Each have pros and cons. Research both kinds to determine what advantages you want.”
He drills the holes near a pre-mounted blub that matches the one going to be used in the lamp.
“I need to drill in the direction of the light with a slanted hole. Each must be different because of the thickness of the gourd and the curve of the gourd at that point.”
Most of his holes are no smaller than 1.2 mm. The shanks of his drills were shortened so he holds it high enough so as not to tire his hands.
The Creative Sequence : He starts the process like all of us, but along the way precision and long hours get into the way.
A Closer Look at the Expert Details
The final effect of all that precision is found in the final gourd lamp with light holes that cast art on the walls. The price for all his effort is from $2,000 to $7,000 each. The long hours involved mean that he makes about 6 a year. His site says he is out of stock and recommends an email list so he can send you pictures when one is finished. That’s a success!
Here is a wonderful video of his journey to success.
His gourd light with light holes took him beyond the idea
He never intended to spend his time doing such time-consuming work, but he doesn’t think he would be happy if he quit making his special gourd lamp with light holes that fill rooms with such beauty.
Sometimes an artist has enough passion to dedicate their future to a craft or art form and can bring something new into our lives.
Gourd artists like Przemek Krawczyński also help move our artform forward with new methods and adaptable tools. In his mind, he saw the gourd lamp having a different light and he pressed forward until his idea worked. He did create a gourd lamp with holes that project real beauty. Additionally, he turns his passion into a business!
“My gourd work makes me grow, I feel that I am constantly creative and imaginative. I adore what I am doing now besides, you don’t leave what you love.”
If you woud like to learn more, then visit his great website, https://www.calabarte.com/. Be sure to read about opening and closing a gourd. He has offered many more tips and suggestions on the site.
If you have tried a gourd lamp with light holes, but use another method or have more tips, please share with us.
Please, share your thoughts here in the comment box or share them with all the gourd artists on our Facebook Group Page.
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Absolutely gorgeous – what an amazing artist !!
Unbelievable work!