All of my gourds are colored with Fiebing’s Leather Dye or Fiebing’s Pro Oil dye.  Depending on the effect that I want to achieve, I use layers of color as well as dripping colors.  I especially like to use Fiebing’s White Leather Dye a drip pattern.  I let that dry and then I put another dye color over it.  The white dye acts as a resist and it creates an interesting shading pattern.

After dyeing and drying, I like to give my gourds another dimension by using Gilders Paste.  I especially like the versatility of Gilders Paste.  Again, depending on the effect, I may dab/rub it on with my fingers or a sponge.  I also brush it on when I want an overall metallic sheen on my gourds.

After that dries I use a spray finish that has UV protection.

I embellish some of my gourds with weaving using a variety of weaving materials and waxed thread or artificial sinew.  I also use metal faceted spots as another embellishment technique.

The Fiebing’s Leather Dye, Gilders Paste, waxed thread, artificial sinew, and spots are available through sewwhatsupplies.com.