Sometimes a gourd is so pristine inside that it merits being left alone (except for sealing with liquid acrylic). This gourd had no blemishes from its time in the field where (normally) mold takes hold during the drying process and leaves its mark on the inside as well as the shell. I don't know why this happens, but it is really fun to open retailer up a gourd, clean it out, and see that little has to be done but sand and seal. It felt like I was taking a walk on the moon when I saw this, so decided to make a trail on the fattest portion of this bowl, just for whimsy. And since I like wandering bowl rims (a lot!), I carved this one to reflect upon the pathway I might travel as I did a special walk there. It reminds me of some designs I've seen on clay pots made by Zuni Indians.
After the bowl was carved, sanded, sealed and the shell painted with black acrylic (because the outside was really ugly from the mold), and coated with paste wax for a satin shine, I edge-beaded the meandering rim with black and red glass seed beads. By changing the direction of them in relationship to the holes that were punched with an awl, a new meander was born. My signature leather disk cushions the blossom end that rises slightly at the floor; another helps to stabilize the gourd from the underside.
Size: 8.5" diameter; 6" tall; weighs 5.2 oz.
This is plain and simple, but with an intent to enhance wherever it sits. Perhaps with you?
Product code: A retailer Walk on the Moon -- Gourd Bowl