California Gourd Society
 Northern California Gourd Art Competitions

Gourd Crafting Terms and Definitions

Accessories or Embellishments Any material added to the crafted gourd to complete the exhibit.

Artificial or Man-made Accessories/Embellishments Any material added to the crafted gourd that is not natural, such as artificial flowers, plastics, plastic eyes, or manufactured items.(See also Natural Accessories).

Artificial Sinew A waxed nylon imitation of natural sinew (animal tendon) used in beading, sometimes used in place of cotton thread.( Artificial sinew will be allowed on all entries).

Base A support or stand that holds a gourd at the proper angle or position. It may be metal, wood or a manufactured turn-table but the base will not be considered an accessory of the crafted gourd.

Basket A gourd with the top cut off with a carrying handle attached or cut so that part of the gourd remains to function as a handle.

Beading The technique of using beads to apply a design to gourd. Beads may be applied with beeswax, embedded in recessed holes, strung and wrapped around, or sewn to the gourd. Beads are made of plastic, glass, and/or natural material, i.e. shell, wood, clay or seeds.

Bowl A gourd with the top cut off (or some portion cut off) to give the appearance of a container.

Burned Using a Flame (i.e., small torch) to char or change the color of the gourd surface (See also Pyrography/Wood-burning).

Carved The removal of a portion of the outer surface of the shell of a gourd, exposing the undersurface to create a design or texture in relief, usually done with a power tool.

Chip Carving Carving done with gouging tools to “chip” out small pieces of gourd to create a pattern or design on the surface of the gourd.

Clear Finish Any furnish, such as varnish, shellac, wax or oil, which enhances the overall appearance of the gourd but adds no color (except the slight natural darkening that may occur).

Coiled Use of pine needles or grasses (or other natural materials), wrapped and held in place by thread, raffia or sinew to cover rims of bowls or create designs on gourds.

Color/Coloring Using any medium that adds to, enhances, or changes the natural appearance of the gourd’s surface. Some examples of color media are stains, dyes, inks, oil pastel pencils, crayons, colored pencils, felt tip pens, acrylic paints, oil paints, watercolors, colored waxes, etc.

Cut Gourd Cutting all the way through the gourd shell to create a hole or opening (as opposed to surface cuts as in carving). The cut or openings are incorporated into the design.

Embellishment/Accessories Any material that is added to the gourd to enhance the overall design and appearance of the gourd. (See also Artificial Accessories and Natural Accessories).

Fretwork An intricate, interlaced, decorative design (of holes or other shapes)  cut into and through the shell of the gourd, usually done with power tools.

Functional An item fashioned to be used.  For example, gourd pitcher that actually holds water and has a functional spout and handle.

Medium/Media Material used for artistic expression, such as paint, dye, ink, etc.

Natural Accessories Any material added to the crafted gourd that is natural. Examples include linen/cotton thread, grasses, pine needles, seeds pods, shells, stones, bone, feathers, etc.

Pyrography/Wood-burning Burning a design (lines and shading) on a gourd with the use of an electric wood-burning tool.

Predominate The word “predominate” (when used in Competition Class description to indicate the amount of medium or technique to be used on the crafted gourd) means that the majority of the crafted gourd surface should exhibit the required medium or technique.

Weaving Interlacing various materials attached to the gourd, such as grasses, cords, natural fibers, etc.