A big THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in their photographs and stories. I hope by sharing other people’s hobbies and stories here on One Hundred Dollars a Month we can all find unique ways to spend our down time in creative and enriching ways. Keep them coming!
Hi Mavis,
I have a few different hobbies (crocheting, reading, and gardening), but the one that is probably the most interesting is my gourd crafting. I grow many different sized and shaped gourds, dry them and then make different crafts out of them. I love it! I first became intrigued about gourds when I saw some crafts someone had done at a dahlia club meeting I was attending and pretty much went nuts from there! They really provide an endless opportunity for creativity.
My favorite gourds to grow are dipper, martin {birdhouse}, and Tennessee spinners. A few years ago my wonderful husband built me a gourd tunnel/arbor and it’s wonderful! Anyone that comes to visit my gardens are fascinated with the gourds, how they grow and what I do with them.
Gourds have to dry over a relatively long period of time, but generally the smaller the gourd, the shorter the drying time. Beware- gourds can be gross looking and smelling when they are drying out. The inner moisture evaporates through the shell, leading to molding on the surface, which is perfectly normal. Gourds become very lightweight once totally dry and you can usually hear the seeds rattle around inside.
The next step is gently scrubbing the gourd to remove the mold and flaking outer skin. What you’re left with is a smooth, lightweight, wood-like material.
Then comes the fun part: you can leave them natural, paint, stain or even carve them. They are like a soft wood. I have experimented with some carving and inlay, but usually stain or paint them. I’ve also started experimenting with growing gourds in unique shapes; specifically tying gourds in knots! After breaking 9 “baby gourds” I was successful with 3!
Gourds are relatively easy to grow, need sun and plenty of water in the summer. The main pest is the squash bugs and cucumber beetles. It’s important to leave them on the vine until the stems are totally dried and dead. They can be left out to dry all winter if you like, but hungry animals may decide to snack on them.
I think most people picture gourds used as birdhouses which is frequently what they’re used for, especially by the Amish community and for those housing Purple Martins. I have made gourds for friends as gifts and by request and I sell different crafts and designs in my etsy shop, The Trug and Trowel.
Mavis I think you would love to grow gourds! They are so fun and easy. I’d be happy to send you some seeds to try! Birdhouses are the easiest thing to start with because you just need a drill and whatever you want to use to decorate it. Thank you for letting me share my hobby!
Sincerely, Emily
If you would like to have your Hobby featured on One Hundred Dollars a Month, here’s what I’m looking for:
- Your hobby has to be submitted as a well written post. A one sentence “I make homemade kites” will not do. Now, 4-5 paragraphs about how you got into kite making, how long you’ve been doing it and the different types of kites you make WILL DO. That’s what I’m looking for! How long have you been doing it? Do you make money off of it or is it just for fun? Can you teach me how to do it?
- Be sure to include a little information about yourself, like your hobby’s backstory and how you got into it. Also, please include your first name and what state or country you are from.
- Your submission MUST have 5 HIGH QUALITY photos attached. You do not have to be a professional photographer, but your photos do need to be clear and well lit or I won’t be able to use them.
- All photos must be original, and they must have been taken by YOU. All photos you submit may be used on One Hundred Dollars A Month once submitted.
- Sadly, I might not be able to use every submission if I am overwhelmed by responses. A $20 Amazon gift card will only be awarded if the submission is published.
- If you have a blog and would like me to link back to it, please let me know, I’d be happy too.
- Although you must submit at least 5 pictures per submission, you can always include more. The more the merrier just in case I do not select them all.
- One submission per person.
- Send submissions via email to onehundreddollarsamonth @ gmail.com {remove the spaces} and be sure and put Show Me Your Hobby in the subject line.
I can’t wait to see all of your fascinating hobbies! Might just encourage me to take up a few new ones.
Hobby on,
~Mavis
Diana says
Wow Emily! What an artist! Those are so beautiful and unique. I had no idea that you just let them dry out and get funky and then they turn into the dried gourds I’ve seen around. Very cool! How long does it take for a medium sized one to dry out?
Emily E. says
Hi Diana, thank you! A medium-sized gourd would probably take around 3-6 months. I know that’s a big range but a lot depends on the thickness of the shell. The thicker the shell, the longer the drying time. The interior moisture evaporates through the shell, hence the molding that occurs. Hope you try growing a few!
Patty P says
What a neat hobby! Thank you for sharing! I’ve always been interested in this type of art, so may try my hand at growing some gourds this year. They would make great gifts for my family next year!
Emily E. says
Thank you Patty! They are fun to grow and honestly if you go truly “au naturale”, you wouldn’t even need to clean out the insides. The dried pulp is great for nesting birds! Give it a go!
Lisa L says
Incredible! You are so talented (and patient!) making these gourds into something beautiful! Thanks for sharing Emily!
Emily E. says
Thank you so much!
Bobbie says
Gorgeous! And your prices are so reasonable!
Emily E. says
Thanks so much!
Teresa D says
Hi Emily! so beautiful. Acrylic paint? Do you varnish after painting? How long will they hold up in weather? Thank you for sharing.
Emily E. says
Thank you! It’s always a good feeling when someone appreciates what you do!
Emily E. says
Oops Teresa, I got my responses mixed up! I’m so giddy from all the positive responses! 🙂 I use acrylic paint, leather dye, alcohol dye, spray paint, and wood stain and I always do 3 coats of a clear varnish for anything that will be outside. I do at least one coat for inside items. One exception to this is that sometimes I will preserve and buff with a clear shoe polish wax. It gives it a nice protective coat and a soft sheen and still lets the variations in the shell come through. I advise anyone to bring the gourd birdhouse inside in severe weather to lengthen its life, but with a little care (protected from severe weather and periodic revarnishing) a gourd could last 8-10 years easily outside and indefinitely inside. Thank you for your kind words and interest!
debbie in alaska says
These are amazing! So whimsical. Thank you so much for sharing your hobby and talents with us. This post totally brightened my morning!
Emily E. says
Thank you Debbie! They always make me smile too!
HS says
Hi Emily, you are the first one in addition to my Dad does the gourd crafting that I know of. My Dad has been enjoying gourd crafting for over 30 years and counting. I’m forwarding this post to him, he is going to love it!
Emily E. says
Very cool! Thank you! I would love to see his gourd crafts- does he have pics online anywhere?
Sue R. says
Emily–Is there a particular kind of seed you like? I want to try these in my garden! Thanks.
Emily E. says
Thank you! You can find hard shell gourds seeds more easily now. I have ordered from Burpee, Pinetree and Quarry Farm with great success. I also have a hard time saying “no” to the seed rack in my local TSC or Family, Farm, and Home, or Lowe’s. I favor dipper gourds and martin house cause they look like giant pears! Best of luck!
Ida says
I’ve never seen anything like this before – love them! I might have to find a small patch for gourds this year to try my hand on it, would love to have a little home grown bird house! Also wondering what paints you use?
Emily E. says
Hello, and thank you very much! They are definitely worth giving a try! You can use pretty much any paint- I use acrylics most often, but you can use interior or spray paint. Coat(s) of varnish will protect it from the weather. Go for it!
Lisa says
Thank you so much for sharing!! They are awesome! I love them all! I have wanted to try luffah gourds for a long time to dry as luffah scrubbies to give away. I know the process is different , but gourds are so intriguing!! Thanks again for sharing !
Emily E. says
Hi Lisa, thank you! Luffahs are the one I haven’t tried growing yet and will be making my first attempt this year! I’m keeping my fingers crossed. I want to use them with soap molds to make as gifts for the holidays.
Angela W says
Get in line for those adorable Candy cane gourds!!! She can customize too….How AWESOME and adorable. Make for unique gifts for family and friends. Can’t get this at the mall !!! Pre-order on Etsy! Leave Emily a message!!! I’m excited…can’t wait to get mine! So, it’s perfectly ok to order one for yourself! After all, you deserve it!
Emily E. says
Wow Angela, I couldn’t have said it better myself! heehee Thank you so much! They are fun!
Karin says
Those are really beautiful! I love all the different things you’ve done with them. I may try growing some gourds myself. Thanks for sharing your cool hobby!
Emily E. says
Thank you Karin! I hope you do give gourds a try. They are very versatile which is one of the things I love about them!
Nekey (from Georgia) says
How neat! The gourd that looks like a little house is my favorite. I’m so glad you shared.
Emily E. says
Thank you so much! I’m currently working on a genie bottle gourd house and a English cottage.
Kelly Strelow says
Hi Emily – your birdhouses are beautiful. You definitely have found a passion in your crafting! I can feel your excitement in wanting to share. I do have one question though – are they strictly “decorative” birdhouses or do you actually find that birds nest within? I ask as we have lots of little feathered friends and I like the idea of nature for nature but if the birds nest within – how do we clean for the next little feathered resident? Or do we? Or does the next tenant do it themselves? 😉
Emily E. says
Hi Kelly, thank you! While I like to think that some of the birdhouses I make are pretty enough to be used just for decoration :), they are definitely meant to be used as actual birdhouses outside, real birds and all. As far as cleaning out gourd birdhouses I’ve done both: I’ve left it up to the birds (wrens have returned to the same house and “redecorated”) and I’ve also just shaken them out or used a stick to help get out old nesting material. On larger houses I’ve been able to add a clean out door which makes it easier. I hope you’ll give growing gourds a shot! Nothing better than a birdhouse designed by Mother Nature!