The skinning and filigree gourd carving process takes practice and the right tools. Learn what tools are preferred and watch videos that demonstrate the skinning and filigree gourd carving process using a Dremel and micro carver. If you are a beginner and are confused, Start here!
The Skinning and Filigree Gourd Carving Process takes Time Durable Tools
Carving a gourd has the unique ability to move you from just a decorator of the gourd to an artist organically changing the gourd structure and allowing it to become an art sculpture. It is one of the most difficult skills to learn in gourd art, but one of the most effective ways to create an impressive art piece that can bring big prices and ribbons at competitions and galleries.
What Tools Do We Use in the Skinning and Filigree Gourd Carving Process ?
Carving is one of the harder techniques in gourd art and the most expensive to get started. You will need a tool that is durable with a motor that won’t bog down and fast enough to do a smooth job quickly. These qualities are not found in just one tool. In general, the Dremel is used for the rugged job and the micro carvers do the detail work. Along the way, you have bits and burrs that give cuts of varying shapes and angles
Most gourd artists using the skinning and filigree gourd carving process use a Dremel or a Micro carver. Something with controllable high speed, and durability. You should also have the ability to add many different accessories to this tool.
The Dremel can be found at most stores that sell woodworking tools.
Skinning and Filigree Gourd Carving Process
Buying a Machine
There are many to choose from and the prices vary from $100 to $700. A good middle ground is between $200 to $400 for an excellent carver for gourds. Check out my review posts on the Dremel and Micro carver if you haven’t purchased one yet.
Navigating the world of bits and burrs
When buying bits and burrs, you must match the shank size to your collet size. The two sizes mostly used for wood are 3/32″ & 1/8″.
I always try to buy the 1/8 “ size so I don’t have to change out the collet every time. If you have the same collet size in both your Dremel and micro carver, then many times you can use the bit in both.
Watch a video review of this tool.
Prices vary with the metal used
Most gourd artists using the skinning and filigree gourd carving process will steer you to the carbide burrs and bits. The carbide bits are more durable and will last you for a while. Likewise, the carbide bit is great at cutting, it allows you to do both bulk cutting and more precise cutting as well. You buy a set of different shapes to get started and then when you know which shapes work best for the technique you are using, you then buy the better bits like the Saburr Tooth brand that many gourd masters use. The woodcarver masters like the Kutzall brand.
Cleaning off the skin of the gourd
The best gourd for carving is a thick gourd. Your goal is to clean off just the top layer like you peel an apple. Then you use different bits and burrs to create different depths in the meat of the gourd. You can carve out different layers for a flower where petals look like they are overlapping and leaves are in the back of the flowers. This takes practice, but you must have the thickness to work with
Best Tools for Skinning the Gourd
The best tool for this process is the Dremel with a flame shape burr. This burr will clean large areas quickly. It will also clog up and become dull. My favorite for this part is the Kutzall Extreme Flame Rotary Burr, 1⁄8″ shaft. It seems to last longer than most and comes in three sizes which is great when I work with different sizes of the gourd. To clean the bit you can soak them in acetone or run them over a brass brush to unclog them. Once the skin is off, you use the other shaped burrs to smooth the surface for filigree or begin to create your depth levels with the different shaped burrs.
The Bits Is the Secret to the Filigree Gourd Carving Process
Once you have cleaned the skin off the portion of the gourd you want to put holes in, then you will have to decide what shape and size they will be. Our novice gourd artist is using big holes which is where you should start if you are a beginner. The master carver uses a variety of shapes.
This is one of the most popular burrs and you can watch a video to see how it works. it runs about $12s. Ram also makes several burrs for the 3/32 collet. They are around $10.You can also use a ball or oval burr or just free form your shapes. Here are some photos of work in progress to inspire your imagination.
Help from a master carver
I am not a carver, but I do know one of our master gourd carvers, Bonnie Gibson. If you truly want to learn to carve, then you need to check her work, her classes, and her tutorial out. You find and buy her favorite burrs on her website” She will also show you the burrs she has used and where she has used them. New users will find good advice on her burr page. She also offers a tutorial on burrs. You don’t have to have the best to start with, but if you end up spending time carving, it is best to buy the most durable tools.
Other Resources for Learning Skinning and Filigree Gourd Carving Process
Mountain Woodcarvers have several pages of bits to help you compare to Welborn.
Another master gourd artist with videos is Ken Poole.
Watch a preview of Beginning Gourd Carving
Beginning Gourd Carving with Ken Poole.
Our First Video
Paul is a novice gourd artist who shares the beginning skill of removing the skin from the gourd. using a Dremel. Also, take note of the safety measure he takes. Remember these are important because of the toxic dust and the speed of te tool.Paul’s Gourd Basics – Carving (Part 1)
Paul’s Gourd Basics – Carving (Part 2)
In the second part, he covers a simple filigree technique.
Welburn has several videos using their product line of the micro carver and their burrs. I chose this one because she has various textures that can be used.
Carving Textures on Gourds
Protecting the exposed gourd surface
There are many ways to put holes into the gourd. They can be any shape and can be tiny or large. In the Welburn video, she suggests a way to preserve the color of the exposed gourd skin by painting it. This way if you drop a dye or paint product on it, you can wipe it off. The final coat of shellac is another good move.
I prefer to use this product. I use the spray on large gourds and the liquid verion on small areas.
If you belong to a gourd group, ask around what they use and why. Then ask them how they learned these two beginning gourd carving skills
Many of us have both tools because we have found each has unique abilities for different gourd needs. Break up some large gourd shards and draw some simple shapes and begin. Each time you spend quality time with both tools, your skills will improve.
While you are doing that begin to collect images of carved gourds you like so you can begin to see the many possibilities that are open once you have mastered the two skills. Every other carving skill will build off these two. So you are on your way! Below are some examples to get your creativity working.
What tools do you recommend and why? As a carver, what do think a beginner should know?
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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we have two beautifully carved gourds. However they have become covered in dust. How do I safely clean them?
Just use a damp soft cloth. You could also refresh the surface with a light spray of Karmar Varnish (Amazon)