Photo Credit: Maureen Gilmer

You can see in this gourd’s design how the wood-burning tool’s edges were used to create lines of varying thicknesses.

Whether they’re made into apples, pots, dippers or canteens, gourds are a crafter’s dream. They’re the perfect “green” project that lets you create remarkable works of art on a limited budget – and sometimes no budget at all. In fact, for the gardener, a whole crop of gourds can cost as little as a $2 for packet of seeds.

Of course, if you don’t have the space to grow your own, you can buy them super cheap at fall pumpkin patches. Just haul a variety of different sizes and shapes into your home (or garage for storage), and you can work on some truly beautiful creations during the long winter months. (And for every gourd you craft, that’s another holiday or hostess present you won’t have to buy.)

Photo Credit: Maureen Gilmer

To conserve space, consider training your gourds onto a chain-link fence.

The real beauty of fully dried, cured gourds is that they have an outer surface that’s easy to gouge, burn and paint. The invention of the Dremel® rotary tool literally revolutionized this craft, allowing you to create beautiful shapes, cutouts and textures with very little effort. But for “gourd heads” on a budget, a hack saw blade wrapped in duct tape for a handle is perfect to cut off the gourds’ tops. (Just be careful!) And a bit of sandpaper is all that’s needed to smooth the edges and any rough spots on the surface. (You can also decorate your gourds with paints and stains, as well as add woven materials like pine needle basketry and fine driftwood into your project, without expanding the cost too much.)

Photo Credit: Maureen Gilmer

These gourds show several craft preparation steps: Clean the gourd with soap and water; cut off the neck of the gourd for an open top and sand the edges smooth (as well as any rough surfaces on the gourd); and paint the gourd with primer or white interior latex for good adherence.

There are endless ways to decorate gourds, but one of the most appealing methods out West resembles the work of Southwestern potters. The craft gives the gourds the same look but for just pennies. (And “gourd pottery” doesn’t break like those expensive pots – they just bounce.)

Crafting gourds inspired by Anasazi pottery is an easy place to start because of the simple designs. The Anasazi used just one color with geometric patterns featuring a lot of straight lines rather than elaborate picture graphics. (Just take a trip online to look up some Native American museum Websites for ideas to get you started.) For something a little more intricate, you can try copying pottery designs made by contemporary Pueblos. They typically feature animals and detailed constructions – but be forewarned: They can be difficult to copy on a gourd.