I sometimes get questions on How long a gourd will last.

The Answer Pretty much your lifetime!

Gourds where used ages ago archeologist still uncover gourds that where used to store water, and preserve grains, and even made into musical instruments.

Birdhouse Gourds are great for your , and if they have been Varnished they will Last your lifetime.

Things to look for when buying a birdhouse gourd,

1. small little holes at the bottom of the gourd for drainage
2. Ask the seller if they have added a Varnish to seal the gourd (I also recommend you revarnish about every 2 years and the best I have found is Krylon Crystal Clear Spray) You can find it in any store that sells paint products)
3. A nice thick shell. A HARD shell gourd should be used for birdhouses or they just will not last, and the thin shelled gourds will not hold up to your birdies nest.

Buying a  Gourd that has been mad into an Artist piece

Gourds have been made into just about everything from baskets, to ornaments to great little sculpture pieces

I think what attracts artist to gourds is their unique characteristics no 2 gourds are the same You can give the same gourd to a dozen different artist and each will come up with a unique Art piece.

These gourds will last a lifetime if they have been properly cleaned and sealed

1. When Artist receive gourds to create on most have not been Cleaned and OH yea they are a mess. Gourds grow like pumpkins, then they are picked and left to dry and harden. They form a layer of black looks like mold around the skin. To clean this the Artist must take the gourd SOAK in a water mixture of bleach. Then we take a metal scour pad and scour the outside of the gourd to remove all this buildup. this is quite the under taking some gourds clean up real quick I ahve cleaned some that have taken over an hour!! but they or so worth the work.
2.  Then we let dry.
3. Then we paint, stain, woodburn, or use oil pencils, some add fabric, pine needles, leather, it is really left to the artist imagination

When buying a Art piece look for a piece that has been sealed

Some Artist Will stain, wax, brush or spray on a Varnish.

When you buy a piece that has not been cut open. Make sure there are small holes at the bottom of the piece. These can be little pin holes. If not take a needle or even a saftey pin and push through the bottom and pull out. Only need atleast 2 holes this is so air can go through the gourd, and will not mold again.

Gourds are a wonderful addition to anyones Collection and Home decor.

Artist do such a variety there is sure to be something you love!

• Baskets
• Birdhouses
• Windchimes
• Wall Decor
• Ornaments
• Yard Ornaments
• Sculpture
• Miniatures
• Dolls
• Holiday Decor
• vases
• pitchers
• Drums
• Flower Pots
• Candle Holder
• and so much more

Are just a few things that are available from Artist that create on gourds. They are a great collectable that will last and can be handed down generation to generation.

Best of all When you buy a unique Gourd from an Artist You are supporting the Artist, and you receive an Orignal Offering that was handcrafted with Care and you know you have an Original piece!

I always Welcome Questions and Please free to ask me.

Thanks for your time and I hope I answered any questions or concerns you may have had on gourds

You can find Gourds in many categories on  ebay Add Gourds to your Search

Ebay has a Category Just for Gourds

Crafts---->Handcrafted------> Hand Painted Gourds

And Artist offer many under

Art------> Folk Art

Art------> Self Representing Artist

Antiques----->Primitives

and even in Home & Garden!

Also a Group has been formed for Hand Painted Gourds You can search HPGM to find a group of artist gathered together to offer unique Gourds!