Best Gourd Books For Beginners
There are a number of gourd books out there to choose from. What we hope you find here are the best gourd books for beginners. Now admitingly, we have added some advanced gourd books, not to intimate, but rather to inspire a person new to gourding. Our gourd books for beginners section will continue to expand as we find the best gourd books on the market. We are hoping we can narrow down for you what the best gourd books are. We feel like the following books cover a scope of information both good for beginners as well as those seasoned in gourd crafts.
If you don't see a book that listed that would be helpful to others, please contact us so we can review it and perhaps add your selection.
Gourd Pyrography
With wood burning such an intricate part of gourd craftsmanship, don't be left in the dark by not having this book. It provides great inspiration, as well as information on the tools and techinques to learn the craft. If you are new to the craft, or shopping for someone, be sure to check out our Wood Burner Review page as well. This makes a great companion to any wood burner kit.
Put best by another:
It if full of gorgeous color photos of gourd pyrography from a number of different artists, along with notes regarding the techniques used in the examples. The intro and section on gourd prep & work basics is excellent and the book also features a few step by step lessons employing multiple pictures. It's not only a thorough and easy to follow instructional manual, it is beautiful, too.
PROS
- Shows Tools and Techniques
- Speaks to beginners
CONS
- None
Gourd Musical Instruments
Gourd Musical Instruments
Feautring a focus on Gourd Instruments this book covers "traditional" shakers/rattles, drums, as well as gourd banjos. The book comes with a CD as well, so you can actually hear the beautiful sounds these gourd instruments make. Don't look for a step by step instruction though - this isn't that. However, if you have an interest in gourd music and instruments - make sure you add this to your coffee table collection.
PROS
- One of a kind book covering this form of art
- Colorful photos and detail
- Audio CD
CONS
- Lacks instruction
Complete Book of Gourd Craft
The Complete Book of Gourd Craft: 22 Projects * 55 Decorative Techniques * 300 Inspirational Designs
The "Gold Standard" and the first book everyone should own.
“This book covers growing, harvesting, and curing as well as crafting and finishing....The projects, are artistic and imaginative and cover all techniques of dealing with gourds.”—Library Journal. “Lots of inspiring gourd crafting techniques and ideas—I highly recommend The Complete Book of Gourd Craft...its 300 color photos... depict many...amazing things you can create...plenty of detailed information.”—Organic Gardening.
Designed as an entry level book, this book covers a wide variety of topics from seeds to some advanced work.
PROS:
- Excellent Photos
- Easy Patterns
- Step by Step instructions
CONS:
- Advanced projects are difficult
Gourds:Southwest Gourd Techniques
Gourds: Southwest Gourd Techniques & Projects from Simple to Sophisticated
As you might guess, this book is weighted toward themes of the Southwest, with an emphasis on Native American designs. It is a nice "Step 2" book with roughly 20 projects. That being said, this can also be a good entry book as well as the opening chapters cover tools, techniques, etc - though the project sections may be just a bit more challenging. Incidentally this happens to have one of the highest ratings on Amazon for a book that we've seen!
PROS:
- Step by step
- Great photos
- Beginner and intermediate projects
CONS:
- Limited to Southwest themed projects
Making Gourd Dolls & Spirit Figures
Making Gourd Dolls & Spirit Figures
Another outstanding book by Jim Widess and Ginger Summit. This delightful book mixes both history and projects together. This book will really have you focusing on your gourd selection before moving forward with any project. With a focus on dolls and figures this fills a nice niche and will do well in any book collection.
PROS:
- Unique Topic
- Hardcover
- Great Photography
CONS
- None
Pyrography Basics
Pyrography Basics: Techniques and Exercises for Beginners
Don't let the name hold you back. Pyrography is code for Wood Burning. While not a book specific gourd crafts. This book is essential for those that want to broaden their skill set with wood burning. The book provides a thorough introduction to basic tools, materials and techniques. You'll learn how to set up a practice board to experiment with strokes and settings before moving on to working projects with confidence. 6 skill-building projects provide step-by-step exercises in using temperature, time, layering, and texturing to create artistic tonal values.
PROS:
- Good value
- Patterns included
- Geared for beginners
CONS:
- Equipment specific
- Patterns are small
Gourd Lights
Gourd Lights: How to Make 9 Beautiful Lamp and Lantern Projects
An intermediate skilled book for those familiar with working with gourds. The book includes nine great projects with step by step instructions. Along with the projects comes a great section designed to inspire your own projects.