I love stained glass and hard shelled gourds make a perfect frame that allows the glass to be backlit either naturally or artificially. Nature is the inspiration for a lot of my work and when one scene can be viewed through another it adds a third dimension to the work. Gourds have been a passion of mine since I first saw them used as an art form in the USA where they are commonly grown and used across the country.
I also make Thunder Gourds which rumble like thunder when shaken. The bottom is cut off the gourd and drum skin attached, holes have to be cut in the gourd so that it can act as a sound box. A spring vibrates the drum when shaken creating the thunderous roll.