Great Gourd Giveaway ~ gourd # 3

     For my third gourd gifting adventure I did not have to look far for a particular gourd that was to embody my creativity. Nope, I did not need to look far because when I cut the top off the gourd I used for my second gourd gifting I set that gourd's neck next to my violets waiting to be planted. That is when I saw a flower vase gourd! So, I picked up the gourd top, spun it around trying to figure out just how to craft it into a flower holding vessel when the thought came to me to drill a hole and make a vase that would hang from twine or copper wire! I drilled the hole and my vision was confirmed! 

Photo by Maryanne Mesplé EW gourd

      I recreated the accidental and perhaps subconsciously intentional setting that inspired me so you can see how it was actually hard to not see the next gourd project!  I kept my little gourd top near me as I finished the moon bowl; mentally working on an image that would grace the gourd vessel. Once I was officially done with the moon I paused for a day to clean up my work area. I am happier and more productive in a clean and organized work space. All refreshed and with a clean environment around me I then picked up a pencil and the gourd top. Taking in a deep breath I then let the new design flow like water from my fingers onto the vase and within 20 minutes I was already ready to burn! I love it when stuff just happens! Once I  began the physical transformation of the gourd top I already knew what this piece was going to look like when done.

     

 Photo by Maryanne Mesplé EW gourd

     I have a passion for drawing intricately woven branches and vines and sometimes just unending pathways of intersecting lines. For this gourd piece my starting place was the top of the gourd neck that is now the bottom of the container :-) I then let my pencil just go and weave lines under and over and through  creating a network of vines weaving themselves around the gourd.

 

 Photo by Maryanne Mesplé EW gourd

     In my enthusiasm on the day that I drew out the design and burned it into the gourd I completely forgot to capture the burning process via photographs! Oh darn, but then that is perfectly natural to get all caught up in fun.

Photo by Maryanne Mesplé EW gourd

     This image and the the images below show the gourd vase completed. Painted, and sealed, the gourd is ready to ship! I tested the inside of the gourd for its ability to hold water and the vase passed the test! I hope that as time goes by having water on the inside does not make the paint on the outside bubble and peel off but that is what I cannot know before creating something like this vase. The only way I will know if the paint on the outside of the vase is adversely impacted by water from the inside is if the new owner reports on the life of their new object :-) Below is a series of photos showing the completed gourd and the differing sides of the vase.

Photo by Maryanne Mesplé EW gourd

 

Photo by Maryanne Mesplé EW gourd

     I have to admit that the placement of the gourd vase is visually funny! If you will look at the vessels mouth you will see that it appears as if the woman in the piece of art on the wall is perched atop the gourd and pointing or reaching inside! How funny! I liked it so much I left it!

Photo by Maryanne Mesplé EW gourd

     I love looking at my finished pieces. I do. I love the thought that my gourds will make someone happy and that makes the whole adventure so worth every minute. And now, you already know if you have been following my Great Gourd Giveaway that I have already been working in my head on gourd number 4 .. yep, I have!

M