Gourd head dolls

[Marsha Cassada]

I like to work with gourds. One day I saw the round tops as a head. My gourds are birdhouse gourds, so they do not have a good "neck". My sister happened to have one with a nice long neck that she was purging. Long necks work better than no neck, I think! Anyway, here are two gourd head dolls. One wears a necklace of alspice berries and one wears vegetable ivory buttons. They are stuffed with local ginned cotton.

 

[LostandFound]

Those are very cool!

 

[Standards Equine]

They're really interesting, I love the painted faces. I have so many questions. Are the gourds dry? Will they spoil? How long do they last?

 

[Marsha Cassada]

They're really interesting, I love the painted faces. I have so many questions. Are the gourds dry? Will they spoil? How long do they last?

There are drinking gourds still in use at well over 100 years old. The gourds are incredibly durable. Yes, they are dried. They take about a year to dry. They are sort of like working with wood--sawing, sanding, drilling.

 

[MaryFlora]

I had absolutely no idea how versatile gourds are and how durable.

Your dolls are terrific! The long neck does look more graceful, on the other hand, the smaller doll reminds me of Aunt Bea from the old Andy Griffith show, and I love Aunt Bea!