This post, Beginner’s Guide to the Tools and Process, looks at the basic tools and techniques and of creating holes in gourds. Then learn the many ways you can enhance your skills and your designs with better tools and practice.
A favorite gourd project for those who like carving is a lantern. You can create a simple version using common tools or a very elaborate one using advanced tools. Most gourd artists will eventually buy gourd saws, gourd cleaning tools that fits a drill, and expensive micro carvers. In this post, I will explain the process and suggest both kinds of tools you can use.
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I looked at several written tutorials and found that Keri Hanson was the best. Please visit her web site if you would like to use it.
Gourd Lamps are all about drilling holes and shapes
If you are a beginner, the process teaches you the basics of creating a filigree pattern on a gourd. This hole-making technique can vary from small round holes to free-form shapes to heart shapes.
Choosing a Gourd
You will need a clean gourd that is 5 to 8 inches in diameter and has a medium thickness. Too thick, and the drill won’t go through the gourd without smoking. Too thin, and the gourd could crack.
Now determine your tool for cutting the lid off. You can use electric saw, gourd saw, or miter saw or a Dremel.
You will also need a Drill, Dremel or a Micro carver to create your filigree holes.
You will need assorted sizes of drill bits. Look for drill bits with 4mm, 6mm & 8mm point. This collection is my choice. You can buy them for $15. Also check out Blue Whale Arts for lantern supplies in general.
A respiratory dusk mask is a “must have” when working with gourd dust. Buy a good one!
Now let’s Go through the Process
Step 1.
Cover your work surface with paper or newspaper and put on your dust mask. Use an electric saw, miter saw, or gourd saw to cut off the top stem end of the gourd. If possible, secure or carefully hold the stem end so the cap doesn’t fly off and break.
Step 2.
Clean the Gourd Lantern Opening
After all the tops have been cut off, use a spoon to hollow out your gourds (keep wearing that dust mask!) Use a ball cleaner made for a drill. Don’t forget to sand the top rim.
You can paint the interior with white paint to increase reflection, but this is not necessary.
Step 3.
Creating your Design on your Gourd Lantern
Use a pencil to draw a simple design, allowing you to determine the location of your holes. You can erase the pencil after drilling the holes so the lines won’t show. I liked the way that scallops, flowers, and leaf shapes turned out.
Step 4.
Drill the holes into the Gourd Lantern
Use a drill or a micro carver. The latter is about 10 times stronger than the drill so this tool is praised by most gourd artist.
Begin drilling holes on your design lines. I like at least a few holes drilled with a 1/2-inch drill bit. The large size of these holes allows more light to pass through when a candle is placed inside. Smaller drill bits work well for adding more detail.
Step 5.
Clean the holes and the design
After you finish drilling your holes, shake the gourd upside down to remove excess dust inside. Clean out your bigger holes with a file. Then erase your lines with a soft pencil eraser.
Another addition you might consider is brads from the craft store. Glue them into the hole or open the shaft and bend them to either side of the gourd interior.
At this point, you can color the surface with gourd dye if you like.
If you intend to leave the surface plain, then cover it with gourd varnish or gourd wax. Or at least wipe some mineral oil over the body of the gourd to moisten the gourd surface and give it a shine.
Step 6.
Choosing Lighting for your Gourd Lantern
Now you’re ready to install some lights inside and admire your work! For a gourd lantern, I prefer to use flameless LED candles that come with a remote control–you can leave the candles inside and easily turn them on and off as often as you like.
Alternatively, you could wrap Christmas lights around the inside.
Most gourd masters will use a gourd lamp light. I suggest you look at Blue Whales Art for any lantern supplies.
Inspiration for more Elaboration
Look at the work, Altan Erginkoc has created to sell at his web site. He explains, “ I design my pattern for each gourd based on thickness and shape. I use different sizes of drills and a Dremel to make holes and shapes on the gourd.
Once the design is complete, the rest is about painting, beading, or varnishing.”
To watch the making process, Dianne Connel from Welburn will demonstrates in this video.
Now that you know the basic process watch this video of the work of Tami Redding for ideas to inspire you.
Here is another one of my posts on a master lamp maker.
I hope that this information will aspire to try this project to start developing your filigree technique. If you are experienced with it, can you share your favorite tip? Please share your thoughts in the comment box or share them with all the gourd artists on our Facebook Group Page.
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