A big THANK YOU to everyone who has sent in their photographs and stories. I hope by sharing other people’s hobbies and stories here on One Hundred Dollars a Month we can all find unique ways to spend our down time in creative and enriching ways. Keep them coming!
Hi Mavis,
I have a few different hobbies (crocheting, reading, and gardening), but the one that is probably the most interesting is my gourd crafting. I grow many different sized and shaped gourds, dry them and then make different crafts out of them. I love it! I first became intrigued about gourds when I saw some crafts someone had done at a dahlia club meeting I was attending and pretty much went nuts from there! They really provide an endless opportunity for creativity.
My favorite gourds to grow are dipper, martin {birdhouse}, and Tennessee spinners. A few years ago my wonderful husband built me a gourd tunnel/arbor and it’s wonderful! Anyone that comes to visit my gardens are fascinated with the gourds, how they grow and what I do with them.
Gourds have to dry over a relatively long period of time, but generally the smaller the gourd, the shorter the drying time. Beware- gourds can be gross looking and smelling when they are drying out. The inner moisture evaporates through the shell, leading to molding on the surface, which is perfectly normal. Gourds become very lightweight once totally dry and you can usually hear the seeds rattle around inside.
The next step is gently scrubbing the gourd to remove the mold and flaking outer skin. What you’re left with is a smooth, lightweight, wood-like material.
Then comes the fun part: you can leave them natural, paint, stain or even carve them. They are like a soft wood. I have experimented with some carving and inlay, but usually stain or paint them. I’ve also started experimenting with growing gourds in unique shapes; specifically tying gourds in knots! After breaking 9 “baby gourds” I was successful with 3!
Gourds are relatively easy to grow, need sun and plenty of water in the summer. The main pest is the squash bugs and cucumber beetles. It’s important to leave them on the vine until the stems are totally dried and dead. They can be left out to dry all winter if you like, but hungry animals may decide to snack on them.
I think most people picture gourds used as birdhouses which is frequently what they’re used for, especially by the Amish community and for those housing Purple Martins. I have made gourds for friends as gifts and by request and I sell different crafts and designs in my etsy shop, The Trug and Trowel.
Mavis I think you would love to grow gourds! They are so fun and easy. I’d be happy to send you some seeds to try! Birdhouses are the easiest thing to start with because you just need a drill and whatever you want to use to decorate it. Thank you for letting me share my hobby!
Sincerely, Emily
If you would like to have your Hobby featured on One Hundred Dollars a Month, here’s what I’m looking for:
- Your hobby has to be submitted as a well written post. A one sentence “I make homemade kites” will not do. Now, 4-5 paragraphs about how you got into kite making, how long you’ve been doing it and the different types of kites you make WILL DO. That’s what I’m looking for! How long have you been doing it? Do you make money off of it or is it just for fun? Can you teach me how to do it?
- Be sure to include a little information about yourself, like your hobby’s backstory and how you got into it. Also, please include your first name and what state or country you are from.
- Your submission MUST have 5 HIGH QUALITY photos attached. You do not have to be a professional photographer, but your photos do need to be clear and well lit or I won’t be able to use them.
- All photos must be original, and they must have been taken by YOU. All photos you submit may be used on One Hundred Dollars A Month once submitted.
- Sadly, I might not be able to use every submission if I am overwhelmed by responses. A $20 Amazon gift card will only be awarded if the submission is published.
- If you have a blog and would like me to link back to it, please let me know, I’d be happy too.
- Although you must submit at least 5 pictures per submission, you can always include more. The more the merrier just in case I do not select them all.
- One submission per person.
- Send submissions via email to onehundreddollarsamonth @ gmail.com {remove the spaces} and be sure and put Show Me Your Hobby in the subject line.
I can’t wait to see all of your fascinating hobbies! Might just encourage me to take up a few new ones.
Hobby on,
~Mavis
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