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beautiful gourd art - fine art - gifts
gourd crafting instruction
- Ivy Leaf Gourd Birdhouse - © Gita Landwehr 2003
the original gourd art project directly by the author
FREE TUTORIAL
SKILL LEVEL: Beginner COMPLETION TIME: 3-4 Hours |
This popular gourd crafting project, Ivy Leaf Gourd Birdhouse, was created by artist, teacher and gourd enthusiast, Gita Landwehr. Other beautiful gourd art projects are being prepared for publication. Bookmark this page and view more of Gita's Gourds, the artist's amazing web site of beautifully crafted gourd art, fine art and gift items.  gitaland.com
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MATERIALS: Bottle gourd (any size) optional: 1/4-inch dowel ( approx. 3 - 4 inches long) for perch and a longer and slightly thicker dowel for insertion through top of gourd - Hand or power drill - (1/4-inch bit and 1/8-inch bit) Utility knife Craft jigsaw Glue Strong string Plastic or wood stopper Brush-on or spray-on varnish |
PAINT BRUSHES: 1-inch foam brush 1/4-inch nylon shader brush Line brush Woodburning tool (optional, for burning dark lines) |
ACRYLIC PAINTS: Chocolate or Plum Black Acrylic extender medium COLORED PENCILS: White Black |
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MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS: Sandpaper Metal scouring pad Old toothbrush Wood filler Newspaper Old rags Knife Small bucket Disposable palette Paper towels Dust Mask |
SAFETY - IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALL GOURD PROJECTS: When cleaning the outside and especially the inside of a gourd, it is highly recommended to wear a dust mask or a respirator and safety glasses. If you are extremely sensitive to mold and gourd dust you may also soak the inside of the gourd and clean it while wet. When cutting or working on a gourd, use rubber shelf lining or other non-slip surface. Please be sure to thoroughly read the instructions for all products and tools listed, paying particular attention to all cautions and warnings to ensure the safe and proper use of each product. |
STEP 1If your gourd needs cleaning, fill a bucket with plain warm water. Place the gourd in the water and cover it with a wet towel; soak for 10-30 minutes. Scrub the surface clean with a scouring pad. Rinse well and let dry completely. Be sure there is no whitish residue remaining.
STEP 2
With a pencil, mark a circle at least 1 1/8 inch in diameter
where you envision the entrance to your birdhouse.
(This size is for wrens and simalar size birds. The hole may be larger,
depending on the size of your gourd and on the
kind of birds you want to attract. For protection from bigger birds
and from predators, nesting birds are known to choose the smallest hole
they can squeeze into.)Remember that the opening should be high enough to allow the birds to accumulate their nesting materials inside, below the entrance level.
You will also need about 1/2 inch of space below the opening for placement
of the perch if you want to add one.
STEP 3 Optional: Adding a perch is ot necessary. It is said that a perch may attract predators. If you do want to add a perch, mark the spot for it with a 1/4-inch diameter circle.
STEP 4
Using a craft jigsaw or a drill and bit, cut out the entrance hole.
If you use a jigsaw, make an incision into the gourd shell with a utility knife
along the inside of your marked circle before inserting the jigsaw blade.
Cut out the hole while turning your gourd gently, rather than forcing the jigsaw
on its path. Don't worry if it does not come out 100% perfect.
You can sand off slightly uneven edges, and you will camouflage any small
flaws when painting your gourd.
STEP 5 Use the entrance hole to clean the dry pulp and seeds out of your gourd. Don't worry if the inside is not perfectly clean. Birds will use what is left for their nests.
STEP 6
If you want to add a perch, use a hand or power drill and drill a 1/4-inch hole about 1/2 inch underneath the entrance where the dowel for the perch is going to be inserted.
STEP 7
Drill six to ten 1/4-inch drainage holes into the bottom of the gourd.
STEP 8
Drill five or six 1/4-inch holes into the top of your gourd around the stem
for ventilation.
STEP 9 Drill one 1/8-inch hole for inserting the string and hanging the birdhouse. Be sure to place it in a strategically suitable spot so that your birdhouse will hang in a balanced position. It helps to hold up the gourd by its stem to observe how it balances itself prior to determining the placement of this hole.
STEP 10
Insert the wooden dowel into the hole you drilled beneath your entrance hole.
About 1/2- to 3/4-inch of the dowel should be visible inside the gourd,
leaving enough on the outside so that the perch appears balanced with
the overall size and shape of your gourd (about 2 - 3 inches of dowel
should stick out). Glue the perch stick in, positioning it at the desired angle.
Place the gourd in a position for drying. When the glue is about half-dried,
glue runs may be gently cleaned or pulled off with a utility knife.
NOTE: Exterior wood glue is strong, but requires more time to dry than hot glue.
Hot glue is convenient and easy to use, dries quickly, and is strong and waterproof.
STEP 11
To achieve a more lively pattern of your faux-painted-wood background,
you may want to pre-paint the body of your gourd with a very light wash
of horizontal streaks in chocolate or plum paint. In a shallow mixing tray,
combine about 1/3 paint with 2/3 acrylic extender medium. Gently load just
the tipped edge of a 1-inch foam brush with paint. Paint in light,
uneven movements over your gourd in both horizontal and vertical directions.
The streaks of paint should be uneven and overlapping. Let this layer dry for
at least 15-20 minutes before applying the next layer.
STEP 12
Using chocolate or plum again, mix about 1/2 paint and 1/2 extender medium.
Load the tip of your brush lightly and unevenly again, then paint vertical
streaks over the whole body of your gourd. You want to achieve uneven,
overlapping streaks of coloration. Let this layer dry completely --
at least 30-60 minutes.
STEP 13
After the background has dried, use a 1/4-inch nylon shader brush
to paint the light green ivy leaves. According to your skill level,
you can trace actual ivy leaves, make your own transferable design or template,
or freehand the shapes right onto the gourd. The leaves will look more natural
and alive if they are somewhat uneven.
STEP 14
After the painted leaves have dried fully, draw the vine-lines with a white colored
pencil, using medium pressure. Arrange the lines so that they curve "charmingly"
in relationship to the shape and proportions of your gourd.
STEP 15
With a black colored pencil, outline the shapes of the leaves and add veins.
Also, draw black lines that gently hug the white vine lines on either their
left or right sides, thus creating a subtle effect of light and shadow.
Accent the entrance and perch with black acrylic paint.
STEP 16
Insert your string through the 1/8-inch hole in the top of the gourd.
You may choose the length that you want your string to be.
However, it has to be long enough to thread entirely
through the gourd from bottom to top, and long enough to hang from your chosen point.
Feed the string down into the gourd. Through the entrance hole of the birdhouse, grab
the inserted end of the string and pull it down from the top of the gourd.
Pull the string through the entrance hole while preventing the opposite end of the string from slipping into the gourd at the top.
Securely attach a disk-like object with a hole in the center
(like a wooden disc or large bead) to the retrieved end of the string.
This will prevent the string from slipping through the string hole at the top
when the string is pulled back through the birdhouse. In this project,
a 1/2-inch plastic disk is shown. The disk must be at least 1/4 inch in diameter.
Next, pull the hanging string up through the hole and gently test to make sure
that the stopper inside holds the gourd securely.
NOTE: It is important to use a strong string. I use a marine grade, tarred,
twined string from a tackle shop. The tar gives the string stiffness,
making it easier to feed into the gourd, and is resistant to ultraviolet rays. For a more stable way to hang your birdhouse, you can insert a dowel or other bar of your choice through the top part of the gourd and attach string or wire to the ends of the stick.
STEP 17
Apply your finish.
NOTE: Choose a type of finish that will be effective in the environment
where your birdhouse will finally be placed. For greatest durability, you may want
to use a urethane finish. A clear brush-on marine spar urethane will give you the
best protection from rain. There are natural varnishes on the market,
but most of them do not guarantee great outdoor durability.
According to one's choice, the birdhouse is suitable for outdoor use,
or may become a strictly decorative piece. Gourds are known to last for a long time,
however, as with everything, ultrviolet rays and moisture will cause them
to weather. In wet climates, it is recommended to place the birdhouse underneath a roof or overhang. Both, gourds and birds will also like some shade.
DISCLAIMER:
Since the author/publisher has no control over the physical conditions surrounding the application of information presented in this project, the author/publisher cannot guarantee results, nor will the author/publisher be liable for any injuries or charges that may arise from the application of this free tutorial.
The copy right for text and images of this craft project - Ivy Leaf Birdhouse - is owned by the author,
Gita Landwehr, © 2003, all rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be duplicated, printed, published, re-transmitted, distributed, e-mailed, sold, or used in any way, in whole or in part, other than for personal private use without the express written consent of the author.
Gourd Art - free Craft Project - the original Ivy Leaf Birdhouse gourd project on the artist's website - all content and images on this web page © Gita Landwehr, 2003.
All rights reserved.