Although they are traditional fall-decorating fodder, these gourds manage to look surprisingly fresh -- more evocative of modernist ceramics than of paper pilgrim-hat place cards (not that there's anything wrong with those). Mixing painted bowls made from dried gourds with a pair of whole crook necks gives the autumnal standbys a life beyond the Thanksgiving table.

Tools and Materials
Gourds
Saw -- any saw would do but a jigsaw works best
Sandpaper
Paint brushes
Can of paint primer
High-gloss craft enamel
Metallic pad or Ice cream scooper

Gourd Bowl How-To
1. Trace a line around the gourd.

2. Cut gourd in half with saw.

3. Discard seeds and dried membrane, then place gourd in bowl of warm water. Allow gourd to soak for about 20 minutes.

4. Scrape away remaining pulp using metallic pad or an ice cream scooper.

5. Sand gourd.

6. Apply a coat of primer and let dry.

7. Paint bowl with high-gloss craft enamel.

8. Fill bowl with natural, textured accents such as acorns, dried pomegranates, fresh rose petals, mini dried gourds, and thistle.

Resources
This craft was originally published in the September/October 2007 issue of Blueprint. Gourds, from $5, Dry Nature Designs, 212-695-8911. Plasti-Kote Odds n' Ends enamel, $3, plastikote.com for stores.