The process of Curing Gourds

First of all, I cut the gourd off the vine. Then I cut a little off the top of the gourd and a hole in it. I then soak it under water for ten days in the summer time. The inside becomes mushy and the contents can be taken out of the hole easily.During this process,they give off a bad smell. So if you live in the city, you should do it with your neighbors' consent.

After cleaning out the inside,

I dry the gourds upside down on the first day. The second and third days, I reverse them.

When they are dried well and don't smell bad,

they are ready for finishing.

Now I must decide how to finish them.

I can leave their natural skin color, or I can paint them colors and put holes in them.

After deciding how to finish them,

I drill holes in them and paint them.

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