[Nfb-krafters-korner] neat item at a fair

[Cathy]

Hi Terry,

A gourd is a fruit that grows on vines in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Some gourds have shells on them while others do not.

>From Wikipedia:
Uses[edit]

Cultures from arid regions often associated gourds with water, and they
appear in many creation myths. Since the beginning of their history, they
have had a multitude of uses, including food, kitchen tools, toys, musical
instruments and decoration. Today, gourds are commonly used for a wide
variety of crafts, including jewelry, furniture, dishes, utensils and a wide
variety of decorations using carving, burning and other techniques.

The Chinese developed a technique of tying a two-part mould round young
gourds, or a part of them, so that the gourd grew into the mould and took
its shape. Shaped gourds had various decorative uses, especially as boxes,
bottles and other containers.

Cathy F