Step 1.
Start with a clean gourd, inside and out. The outside is scrubbed with soap and water to remove any dirt or mold (gourds can be purchased pre-cleaned).

Then, use a small saw to remove the top in any shape outline you prefer. A starter hole for the saw can be made with a drill or Dremel tool.

Wearing a dust mask, scrape out the dried pulp and seeds from the inside and discard. Smooth the inside as much as possible with your scraping tool and sand paper.

I always like to line the inside of the gourd either with paper, glue, or paint. This is completely a personal preference. This gourd is lined with handmade blue mulberry paper and Sobo glue. (Photo 1)

Step 2.
Apply one coat of regular white acrylic gesso trying to keep brush strokes to a minimum. This helps make the finished gourd look like silk. Let this coat dry.

Step 3.
Apply 2 coats of white Absorbent Ground. and dry thoroughly between each coat. (Photo 2) The idea of Absorbant Ground is that it creates a surface that acts like watercolor paper. Again, try to keep the brush marks to a minimum. It can be thinned with water: maximum 1 part water to 4 parts Absorbant Ground. (Lighting makes this gourd appear yellow - it is actually white.)

Step 4.
Decide on your palette.The Silk Colors come in a pallet of 20 colors and by blending and combining the colors with each other and with water, the combinations seem endless. I started with purchasing 4 colors of the dye. I had some yarn that I wanted to use as a “rim trim” on the final piece, so I mixed those four colors to make all that I would need to match my yarn palette.

Step 5: Apply the Silk Colors in whatever pattern you desire. (Photo 3) They will flow freely and blend. And while the dyes are still wet, sprinkle some salt on the surface. Go lightly with the salt so the crystals stay separate from each other. As they do with watercolor, each grain will create a starburst in the color. (Photo 4)

Do one section at a time. I use one brush for each color so there is no contamination in your bottles of dye. Try different types of salt for various effects. Dry the gourd for 24 hours.

Step 6: With a soft cloth or very fine sandpaper (at least 400grit), wipe all the salt crystals from the surface.

Lightly mist the gourd surface with Silk Dye Preservative - mixed according to the instructions printed on the bottle. (Photo 5) Dry for 10 minutes and mist again, making sure the entire surface is covered. Let dry completely (for about 2 hours).

Step 7: Apply 1 light coat of Americana Matte Varnish with a brush. I do not have any bleeding of the dyes using this product. Let dry. Silk Colors are waterbased dyes and can smear unless sealed with this varnish.

Apply 3 finsihing coats of Minwax Polycrylic Clear Satin finish. (Photo 6, which shows a different gourd) Wait two hours between coats and dry for 3 hours after the final coat. Then the gourd can be safely handled and you can add your trim.

Step 8. Add “rim trim” if you so desire. Yarns and fibers can be wound around and attached with hot glue. Holes can be drilled along the rim and wire embellishments can be hung from them. Vines and other flexible twigs can be attached with wire or lacing using the same type holes, or just plain lacing with colored and interesting fibers looks great.

A beautiful idea is to buy a long white silk scarf and paint it with a matching palette of Silk Colors. When dry, twist it and attach it to the rim by the “sewing hole” method described above. The possibilities are endless.

The most important thing is to have fun and follow your imagination.