Primitive Originals Workshop Series Working with Gourds

Priced at only six dollars each, these booklets are complete step-by-step instructions on preparing, dyeing, and decorating gourds. Designed for all levels of abilities, the beginner will find great instructions and ideas, and the advanced gourd designer will find detailed pyrography and decorative techniques.

Each book contains from 9 to 14 fact-filled pages, printed on 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 heavy card stock, and printed on one side only. They can be used as teaching worksheets, or hole-punched for storage in a standard 5 1/2" ring binder.

Filled with color photographs and drawings, the author takes you through every detail of the individual topics. Written in a personal and folksy style, you'll feel you're right there in one of our classes!

• How to Draw and Woodburn Feathers on a Gourd
  Introductory and advanced pyrography techniques. You will learn fine-lined bird feathers and the nuances of creating gourd designs that have a very realistic look.
  
  
• How to Weave Decorative Sinew on a Gourd
  This booklet takes you through marking and drilling holes, and covers many different patterns and stitches using artificial sinew or other fibers. Includes worksheets and detailed drawings for many stitches. Also contains instructions on making a Dreamcatcher!
  
  
• How to Clean and Cut Gourds
  Start-to-finish instructions for taking the new, dried gourd, cleaning the outside, cutting and removing an opening (top or side) and cleaning the inside. Preparation of the surface for dyeing, woodburning, or other decoration.
  
  
• How to Draw and Woodburn Symmetrical Egg Gourds
  Special techniques to be used on the hen-egg shaped gourds. This workbook teaches the techniques for partitioning and creating symmetrical geometrics on an egg gourd. Tricks for successfully "eyeballing" measurements.
  
  
• How to Draw and Woodburn Mushrooms on a Gourd
  Mushroom scenery, and many styles of mushrooms (whimsical or realistic) and forest scenes. Tips on interesting shading and creating natural settings.
  
  
• How to Draw and Woodburn Florals on a Gourd
  Techniques and tricks for symmetrical flowers, vines, flourishes, grasses, cattails, leaves. Use florals as the main scene, or as borders or fillers.
  
  
• How to Choose and Use Dyes and Paints for gourds
  A detailed guide on the selection and use of coloring and finishing agents for gourds. Includes acrylics, leather dyes, fabric dyes, shellac/varnishes, polyurethane, waxes, house paints, egg/food dyes, and oils. Instructions and advice on the use of each of these.
  
  
• How to Draw and Woodburn Southwestern Designs on Gourds
  From Native American and Mexican weavings, basketry, and pottery. Both ancient and modern designs, adapted for gourd decoration.
  
  
• How to Weave Pine Needle Rims on Gourds
  Step-by-step instructions for attaching a pine needle rim on a gourd. Includes harvesting and dyeing details.
  
  
• How to Woodburn Celtic Knots on a Gourd
  How to create Celtic knotwork using ancient Celt rules. Stencils and examples included.
  
  
• How to do Gold Leafing on a Gourd
  Detailed instructions for applying gold leaf to a gourd surface. Includes many ideas for creative use of gold leaf. Preparing the surface with an adhesive, how to apply the leaf, and finishing techniques. Includes instructions on how to create gourd jewelry.
  
  
• How to Create Polymer Clay Designs
  14 pages of step-by-step instructions for working with PVC clay, making colorful canes, and applying them to gourd art. Easy to follow drawings!
  
  
• 30 Gourd Rims
  Techniques, drawings, and ideas for both traditional and unique rim treatments. A resource of ideas for experienced gourders. Many have step-by-step instructions, with color photographs and/or drawings.
  
  
• How To Make A Traditional Shekerie From A Gourd
  Shekeries, or African gourd rattles, have been used for centuries as musical instruments. Step-by-step instructions for basic shekeries plus several variations. Many unique instructional aids, such as beading grids and materials estimation techniques.
  
  
• Clipart Designs for Woodburning and Tracing
  For use in gourd or craft projects; approximately 135 copyright free images (1"-3" high), with themes including flowers, leaves, ocean, animals, butterflies, borders and even unique birdhouse holes. Printed on a special paper you can woodburn right through (instructions are included for this handy tecnhique).
  
  
• How To Create Beaded Gourds
  Fourteen pages of step-by-step instructions, history, beaded Huichol bowls, beaded egg gourds, decorative beading, plus two design patterns. You'll learn how to apply beading wax and seed beads inside and outside of gourds, with ideas for designs and great problem solving tips.
  
  

Books in the Workshop Series are priced individually; be sure to select the title you want and press "Order." For more than one title, just return to this page and select/order others.