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Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Weekend Project: make a birdhouse out of a gourd (video)

Photo Credit: Getty Image

Photo Credit: Getty Image

What I learned from watching this clip:

1. As The Handy Craftsman Jerry Bennett says, "If you're thinking about making a gourd birdhouse, you should have started thinking about it last year." I beg to differ: If you're willing to relinquish control of the gourd-dying process—and, really, who isn't?—you can buy a pre-dried gourd at a craft supply or florist shop and be good to go the same day.

2. Birds are very particular about the size of hole they're willing to go in. Check the chart at Amishgourds.com to plan yours accordingly.

3. You can make a gourd birdhouse, start to finish, in about ten minutes. And you get to use a drill! Fun.

4. Watching someone build a gourd birdhouse is strangely soothing on a Friday afternoon.

*Also, I did not learn this from the video, but from a previous job: gourds can look really beautiful and modern when painted with a bright, glossy craft enamel. Look to this $74 turquoise version and take pride in making a just-as-nice version for about a tenth of the cost.

And, here we go:


More instructional video on Shine:
How to get your home-office clutter under control
How to make your own natural cleaning products
Inventive ways to display art
5 uses for chalkboard paint
D.i.y. lighting ideas

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Comments 1-2 of 2
  • Mom of Two's Avatar
    Posted by Mom of Two Sun May 4, 2008 7:20pm PDT

    I've also seen some clever holiday gourd creations...Santas, pumpkins, and such. The bird houses are cool; I may try one.

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  • jdbennett's Avatar
    Posted by jdbennett Thu May 22, 2008 2:16pm PDT

    Thanks for featuring my video. It was a project I did for a video class. I also have a great cooking blog at http://www.chefbenwa.com.

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No, I'm not turning into a Buddhist monk, giving away everything except the shirt on mine and my kids' backs. I've just come to my senses. If I own a lot less, life will become simpler. -Blond & Blithe