Here is the definition a gourd-gourd (gord) A vine or fruit related to the pumpkin,squash,and cucumber and bearing inedible fruit with a hard rine;the dried hollowed-out shell can be used as a drinking utensil.

But there are alot of different things you can make from a gourd! Gourds also last a lifetime if taken care of. They are wood-like and are very durable.  To make the home and garden decor that I make I first have to 1) Find someone who sells gourds because even though I have alot of property it takes a certain know how and alot of sunlight to grow gourds. I drive a long way to my gourd supplier with the price of gas nowadays that is the biggest chore!2) The gourd must be cleaned. It takes alot of elbow grease to get these babies clean! They grow on a vine and are very dirty when you get them! 3) If making a birdhouse you have to drill the hole for the bird to get in. 4) The gourd has alot of seeds and gourd "guts" (thats what I call it) You have to clean all that out. 5) Drilling small holes in the bottom for drainage is a good idea,you dont want your birdies to be in a flood situation! 6) A hole drilled in the top of the gourd for a metal hanger, you dont want to just sit the gourd in the tree! 7) You decide what you would like to paint-thats the fun part! I found out that I can paint anything on a gourd! I have painted over three hundred different things so far. I like to say that! 8) You can leave the gourd natural (like my Eyore gourd) or paint it a solid color before painting your image. 9) After painting your image on the gourd it is a very good idea to seal it with a clear coat of  crafters varnish.

         So you see there is alot of work involved! With the gourd " hunt " the paint the varnish the hangers and the time cleaning them and talent it is well worth what you might pay for one!  Ya'll have a great year and visit my store every now and then to see more of my" GourdGrin Creations"!!