Information and the History of Dried Gourds
And this is very important! Pay attention here. Just because a gourd is in the same family as a squash, I do not recommended you call a gourd-head a squash-head, unless your looking for a food fight. Being a gourd-head is a proud honor and not to be trifled with. Now, I'm not going to argue that some gourd-heads would fall under the squash-head description, but I'm a peaceful kind of gal and personally wouldn't go there. Did you know there are two gourd types? The type I work with is called the hard-shell (largenaria siceraria) gourd and the other type is the ornamental (cucurbita pepo (variety ovifera)) gourd. The hard-shell gourd has an exterior like wood which you can carve, burn, paint, and wear. Yes you can wear gourds! You can wear them as necklaces, hats, and a gourdkini. Yes, one of these days I am going to create the Gourdkini. I haven't figured out how to size it yet. Gourds come in so shapes and sizes that the only way to get a good fit would be to try it on. No. I haven't tried any gourds on…yet. Ornamental gourds are the kind you buy for autumn decorations that sit on your table or wherever one places those kinds of things. You know, those funny looking things they sell next to the pumpkins in the store? Yes, those. They do not dry into a hard shell gourd. Trust me, I tried to experiment on one and it turned into a nice mushy pile of smelly goo. I guess someone somewhere would consider this a new art form, but I don't think it would be real popular unless you're trying to make some kind of statement with smelly goo.
Gourds have been used by various cultures around the world for thousands of years. Guess what they found in places like Egypt and ancient Peruvian caves? You guessed it gourd fragments! The earliest discovery of gourd use was about 10,000 BC. Gourds have been used for bowls, eating utensils, food storage, musical instruments and various religious and ritual ceremonies. Gourds sure are an oldie but a goodie. Their uses today are quite different from ancient times. Today they are made into decorative bowls, works of art, musical instruments, birdhouses and whatever else the human imagination can…well, imagine! Personally, I like to hear the gourd whisper sweet nothings in my ear and tell me what it wants to morph into. One thing I have learned about this process is to never, ever, ever argue with a gourd. You don't win. I've tried many a time over the years and I haven't won yet. Now, if someone (or even I) would like a particular design, I ask for volunteers. They raise their stems and jostle about yelling, "Pick me! Ooh, pick me!" All right, not really, I'm just joshing you there. I am somehow guided to just the right one for the project at hand and unless I get in the way of the creative unfolding, all goes smoothly.
There you have it, a little history on the humble, unassuming gourd.
Have a Wonder-Filled day and enjoy the journey!
Related Tags: crafts, history, arts, gourds, dried gourds, gourd art, gourd crafts
Tracy L. Swartz, PhG
The Domestic Gourdess
My work is a treasure hunt to find the mystery and beauty of the Gourd hidden beneath the layers.
Gourd art is similar to life unfolding before us, and the choices we make. I choose to transform those things that may on the surface appear awful and unlovely into something uplifting and beautiful. I equate my gourd art to the versatile nature of people, always changing, always unfolding, and always discovering something new.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- How Hypnotherapy Can be Used on Children
Today Hypnosis can be termed as a branch of medicine which is quite unique, whereas in the past this - Confidence Workshops For Children
Every parent wants their children to be confident, happy, highly motivated and enthusiastic in order - Inspiring Children Using NLP
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is one of the most successful therapies in psychology today. Init - Writing Term Papers
Students often tend to put off a written assignment, considering it to be a chore too formidable to - Naming In Term Paper
Give a descriptive name to each of your concept in the paper. Adhere using terms like "our approach" - Introduction Section of a Research Paper
Your introductions should not exceed more than two pages (typed, double spaced). See again the examp - Getting a Feedback of Your Term Paper is Important!
Get the feedback of your work! Finish your paper, having written it well in advance, so that you hav - The 1950's - Was Life Better?
Iconic TV shows like I Love Lucy, Dennis the Menace and My Three Sons seem to indicate that the 1950 - Online Classroom Systems Makes Home Schooling Even More Attractive
In the past it went without saying that you would send your kids to public schools. With public scho - 8 Helpful Tips For Surviving Military Basic Training
Getting through military basic training takes a lot perseverance. During this training it is best to
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Culinary Cooking Schools and What They Teach
Culinary cooking schools prepare you for a job in the culinary industry by providing you with the kn - How To Learn Spanish Quickly Without Moving To Spain
Learning Spanish is a popular pastime, as well as a serious goal for many individuals. Whether it's - How To Improve Your Life With An Accredited Online College Degree
With the information super highway raring full steam ahead, quality accredited online college degree - Online Bachelor Degree Programs Go Mainstream
The Internet has seen an explosion in online bachelor degree programs in the last five to ten years - Online Degree Program Just A Click Away
You want to go shopping, but your car is low on gas. You want to know your account balance, but do n - Online Paralegal Degree Will Open Doors
An online paralegal degree may offer the possibility of improving your chances in the legal professi - What West Point Military School Looks For In A Candidate
West Point is looking for well rounded young men and women who are good students, good athletes, and - The Importance of Effective Accounting Programs
In the past, small businesses like mom and pop stores were not required to maintain any sort of acco - California Schools Educators Retirement System And Lionstone Group Create Investment Fund
The California State Teachers' Retirement System (CSTRS) is the second largest public pension fund i - A Taste of China - Seattle Schools New Guest Teacher Shares Language and Culture of Her Native Hom
The Seattle schools have a new "guest" teacher. Zhu Dan arrived in the Seattle schools in January