Gourd Bangle Bracelets- Workbench Wednesday

 Have you seen the current issue of GreenCraft magazine?

If you are not familiar with it, it contains dozens of fun, green crafts and projects.

It has everything from organization to jewelry to home decor.

It is right up my alley.

I am thrilled to have a few projects in this issue.

Probably my favorite are these bangles made from gourds.

You can take a look at the magazine for the complete how to instructions.

I thought maybe I would share some of the behind the scene photos not shown in the magazine this week for workbench Wednesday.

Start with a dried goose neck gourd.

I got this one from my friend Linda.

Cut rings.

You can tell I took these pictures last summer.

No green grass here yet.

Every so often, I have to cut a watermelon slice on the curves to maximize the number of usable rings.

I will find something to do with these later.

Same with the bottom part of the gourd.

I have a plan for it.

The tiny top part is also saved.

The pithy center pulls right out.

Once sanded...

Let the fun begin.....

 These first bangles were a fun way to play around with the process.

This one reminds me of a giraffe.

A friend told me I should save this one...

I probably will...

These are so lightweight.

I love that.

They make a very interesting sound when I wear them...

Sort of like bamboo wind chimes...on my arm.

I like my slices sort of wonky so I did not measure them or mark  them when cutting.

If you like things precise, you can mark them with pencil or tape.

I tried to most different patterns on the Brave bangle.

If you want to learn how to make these, pick up a copy of GreenCraft.

You can find it on news stands in craft stores or large book retailers.

Or you can order it directly from Stampington here.

It is always a pleasure...

Thanks for stopping by....

            Linking up with these great blogs.

What Was Once A Gourd...

I have a friend that grows pumpkins and gourds and sells them from a wagon in the fall.

At the end of the season, she dries the leftover gourds on pallets.

Recently, we got together to try to make something from the gourds.

Here is my little creation.

Like any project, it gets there in stages.

First I glued on pinecone petals for shingles.

I used Gilders' Paste to color the house white.

Once dry, I buffed it.

Then I made a little door and windows from Sculpey clay.

I'll be honest...

I loved the clay accents but hated how you could see the hot glue in the shingles.

And I wanted to add window boxes with flowers.

My attempts at adding little dried flowers looked goofy.

I love the shingles...

But the glue...

Not so much.

So I did some thinking for a week.

Then I got to work adding the final touches....

Polymer flowers and vines.

And "moss" for the roof.

Flocking.

It was perfect.

My husband suggested just heating the glue and adding the flocking.

Worked like a charm.

I heated a small section with my heat gun and used a brush to add the flocking while the glue was hot.

It looks intentional...

It added the perfect touch and covered imperfections...

The flowers and vines were built onto the already baked windows and then baked again.

Once finished, I glued all the pieces onto the gourd and gave it a bark base.

A tiny twiggy broom leans by the door.

I glued moss at the base to cover where the gourd is glued onto the bark.

I love how whimsical it is...

I even added tiny polymer flowers in a little wicker basket.

What a perfect fairy dwelling...

Have you ever made something that just makes you so happy?

I seldom keep the things I make but I think this one is staying...

Thanks for stopping by....

Linking up with these great blogs.