You don’t have to be an expert pumpkin carver to create fabulous designs on pumpkins and gourds. The designs you make don’t have to have a Halloween theme at all – unless that’s what you want. Use a different technique than you normally use to make the pumpkin or gourd and you’ll see you can create a masterpiece with little talent.
Whether you’re using a pumpkin or a gourd cut a hole in the top and remove the meat and seeds. Now cut the design you want. It can be intricate or simplistic. You can make an entire scene around the whole pumpkin or gourd or you can just cut one image on the front. Use a stencil, paper pattern, or just draw freehand on the gourd.
There are many different ways to make a stained glass pumpkin or gourd. One way is to use a pin to make tiny holes as an outline for the image. Another way is to cut large images and remove chunks of the gourd. When you’re finished making the design you want you’ll then turn into a stained glass version.
Use colored wax paper to create the look of stained glass. You’ll find colored wax paper at some grocery stores or you can order it online. Just cut pieces to be large enough to cover the designs you’ve carved. From the inside, position the wax paper over the image and stick it there with pins.
Place a candle in a glass or metal container and set it in the pumpkin. The candle should be in a container to prevent the wax paper from getting too hot. When the light shines through the holes you’ve cut you’ll have colored designs which resemble stained glass.
Although most pumpkin and gourd carving are done with a Halloween theme you can use this technique to make many other things. Carve “Welcome” or even your house number into a pumpkin and set it outside. Or, make a heart cutout on the pumpkin and use it to decorate at a fall wedding. Make a table centerpiece by carving one letter from each pumpkin and arranging several pumpkins in a row to spell “Love” or another sentiment.
The stained glass pumpkins and gourds look really beautiful whether you use just one color of wax paper or different colors. You’ll love this craft which can be done throughout the fall of the year and used in many ways.