All of my gourd art pieces have been sealed with
Polyurethane, varnish or acrylic sealer to protect and enhance their beauty and
longevity. To further protect these art pieces, you must
protect them as well.
Below is a list of Do's and Don'ts to assure that your gourd pieces last a
lifetime.
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
HANDLE WITH CARE. Some of the gourd creations are very fragile, lightweight, and
delicate. They may break or crack if dropped.
It is recommended that you use a glass container or plastic plant saucer on the
inside of your gourd when displaying cut flowers or a potted plant.
You can clean your gourd pieces with a soft cloth and furniture polish, or you
can use a soft cloth with soap and water, rinse and then wipe dry.
The following information is available at the American Gourd Society.
When working with gourds, the following common sense measures and easy-to-find products will help keep you healthy and happily crafting.
Gloves
Avoid direct skin contact with moldy gourds which have not yet been cleaned. Some people also cannot handle cleaned gourds without gloves. A metallic taste in the mouth is the first sign of this tactile-taste problem. Vinyl gloves like those used by the health industry can be purchased by the box at your local pharmacies and large chain stores. When scrubbing gourds, dishwashing gloves are recommended.
Mask or Respirator
Airborne dust particles and mold spores from gourds should be avoided just like any other type of airborne particulate. A mask or respirator designed to prevent inhalation of these minute particles should be worn when cleaning the outside surface, sanding, cutting, and cleaning inside surfaces of a gourd. I highly recommend using a good dust collection system, such as the Razaire. It utilizes a double filter system and an impeller style fan that quickly draws in the dust.
Other Suggestions
Work with gourds outside whenever possible. If you must work inside, make sure you have good ventilation and a dust control system is strongly recommended. Dust particles and mold spores will cling to clothing and hair. After working with gourds in the cleaning, sanding, cutting, and carving stages, change into clean clothes and wash the ones you were wearing. Keeping your hair covered while stirring up gourd dust or mold is also a good preventive measure. If you are new to gourds, you will soon learn your sensitivities to them (if any), and the measures you’ll need to take when working with them. The first signs of a problem will most likely be a metallic taste in the mouth, fits of coughing, or sneezing with runny eyes and nose as in an allergy attack. Gourds are a wonderful natural resource to work with, providing many creative opportunities and practical uses. So let’s all gourd in good health!
HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR GOURD ART