Introduction

This Halloween, hard-fleshed decorative gourds can find life beyond the centerpiece bowl as hanging outdoor lights.

Materials

  • Hard-fleshed decorative gourds
  • Miniature saw: Keyhole saw blade, X-Acto No. 15 (LXKY31), and X-Acto Knife No. 2 (LXKY73), from Tower Hobbies
  • Electric drill with 1/4-inch bit
  • Similar double-ended sculpting tool (87-WB), from Sculpture House
  • Globe light set (G50 15), from partylights.com

Steps

  1. Step 1 of 4
    gourd_1095_step1.jpg

    To make a wide hole in the gourd's base, drill several small holes close together; cut out the hole with the utility knife by carving through the small holes, like joining dots. The hole must be wide enough for a lightbulb. Repeat this with the gourd's top, but drilling only two or three holes, to produce a smaller hole for the bulb socket to fit into.

  2. Step 2 of 4
    gourd_1095_step2.jpg

    Hollow out gourd, using utility knife and sculpting tool.

  3. Step 3 of 4
    gourd_1095_step3.jpg

    Drill decorative holes around gourd for light to show through. Push bulb socket into smaller hole; screw lightbulb into it inside gourd.

  4. Step 4 of 4
    gourd_1095_step4.jpg

    Use lights that are prespaced along the wire, or space them yourself along a zip-cord wire, using carnival light-socket fixtures.

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