Crafts: How to Make a Gourd Purse

Gourd purse are fun, fashionable and most important one of a kind. The first gourd purses that caught my attention were gourd purses from Peru. They all were crafted with the traditional brown and black patters that are traditionally seen in gourd bowls, ornaments, cups and rattles from Peru.

The Peruvians have a very distinctive style when it comes to decorating their gourds. The design is burned into the gourd and then painted with leather stain. The designs often include birds, owls, frogs, bees and flowers. I like to make my one of a kind gourd purses in bright colors with designs of flowers either etched with a dremil or painted with acrylic. I love making gourd purses and the only drawback with carrying a gourd purse is that people are constantly stopping me on the street and in the market and asking what is that and where did you get it? To make a gourd purse you will need; One hard shell canteen gourd. Canteen gourds can be found locally at the farmer's market or go online to www.americangourdsociety.org for a list of gourd growers in your state. Leather stain and leather straps or acrylic paint and some kind of purse strap. A finish of some sort to coat the purse after painting. Choose a clear coat spray or varnish or a brush on finish. Grommets and a grommet tool to attach the grommets to the gourd may be found at the hardware store. I use a Velcro closer on my purses but I have also seen cord used effectively. Begin by marking the gourd into thirds with a pencil. Cut the gourd using a dremil tool or a jig saw all the way around the top third mark. You will have two pieces, one 1/3 piece and one 2/3 piece. The smaller 1/3 piece will be the top of the purse. Clean out the gourd and remove all the seeds and "guts". Paint the outside using the leather stain or acrylic paint in whatever design you choose. When dry coat with sealer or varnish. Next attach a small piece of leather to the back of the two gourds to use as a hinge with the grommets. Attach the leather strap to each side with the grommets as a shoulder strap. Measure to your specifications to fit comfortably. Glue the Velcro closure on the front or drill holes if using a cord as a closure and tie cord into place. If using Velcro allow to dry overnight. The gourd purse is ready to carry or give as a one of a kind gift. Today I will be crafting gourd purses for Market Square Around Our Southern Home and Garden.