03-BB #1906 "Celtic Spirals" Gourd

03-BB # 1906 by Barbara Bellchambers Size: 6 1/2" wide x 5 1/2" high I enjoy going to Gourd Festivals, meeting other gourders, and having the opportunity to take classes from a variety of teachers. This gourd was started in a class at the Pennsylvania Gourd Festival taught by Jenn Avery. Previously, I did not have much success with applying gold foil to a gourd. I took this class specifically to gain more knowledge of working with the gold foil, as it can add a lovely accent on a gourd. On this gourd, it adds light to the central burned design. A light brown ink dye covers the area outside the burned design, bringing out the natural mottling of the gourd. The pyrography, or burning, uses shading from very light to dark, with the dark areas slowly built up in layers. Inside the gourd is painted black, while the Kumihimo (Japanese braiding) rim has a copper butterfly perched on top.