Pyrography Gourd Art

I am doing a gourd ornament using the Metallic Accent Pigment Powders either by themselves or mixed with Memories Dye Inks or Jo Sonja Polyurethane Varnish.  This project was not designed to be an award winning gourd ornament but mostly to demonstrated how to use the Metallic Accent Pigment Powders. It will give you an idea of how they look and work alone or mixed with other mediums.

Applying metallic powder over heat activated glue

Using the embossing heat tool to set the glue

The first area I worked on was the very top using Blue Russet which is a gourdgeous russet with hints of blue. Typically the Russets are more of a red rust but this color is very rich and I like it better than the typical Red Rust. I opted to use the powders with the Stamp and Stick heat-activated glue.

Since this area is very small I applied Stamp and Stick heat-activated glue with a microbrush but you can use just about any kind of brush or applicator depending on the size of the area you are covering. For large areas you might want to use the Stamp and Stick pad. For this project I used the clear (white) glue. I applied a drop of glue on the tip of the brush and then applied it around the circle. Next step was to use the embossing heat tool to heat set it until it’s sticky (this is very important). This usually takes about 10 seconds.

Once the glue is sticky I applied the powder using a soft brush (such as a cosmetic brush) and then brushed off the excess with a soft cotton cloth or tissue. Once the powder is on there it is no longer sticky so you don’t have to worry about fibers from the cloth or tissue sticking. The result is a very deep metallic powder.

Mixing the Metallic Accent Powders with Memories Dye Ink

Next I mixed Aztec Gold Metallic Accent Pigment Powders mixed with Honey Memories Dye Ink. I used a plastic palette cup and spatula to mix the two products together. The more powder you use the more metallic sheen you will have. Using a microbrush I applied it directly onto the gourd surface. Every now and

then I had a “blob” so I rubbed my finger over it and voila it disappeared like magic. As I covered each area I heat set it to help it dry quickly so I wouldn’t smear it as I moved on to the other areas.

By mixing the two products together I did not need to use any Stamp and Stick heat-activated glue and heat setting prevents smearing and peeling off. I was amazed at how vivid these are and the shimmer that is achieved with these powders. Of course the amount of shimmer is directly proportionate to the amount of powder you use. More powder, more shimmer.

Mixing the powders with Jo Sonja polyurethane varnish

The third method I used and probably my favorite was mixing the Metallic Accent Pigment Powders with Jo Sonja Polyurethane varnish. I poured a little varnish in my palette and then took a small scoop of powder and blended with the spatula (it really doesn’t seem to matter which order you use). I used an angled brush to apply the mixture to the gourd and allowed it to dry naturally. I love using angled brushes so I can do nice clean edges and get into the corners easily.

The varnish dries quickly so by the time I clean up the mess with soap and water it’s dry and I’m ready to move on. The reason I like mixing the varnish and powders is that it’s a one-step process.

The remaining colors on the ornament were done by mixing the powders with the varnish.

Once the colors were all done I drilled a tiny hole in the top with a pin vice and then added a drop of CA adhesive into the hole and screwed a tiny gold toned screw eye to hold the string.

One side of the finished ornament

For this ornament I applied 2 thin coats of  Jo Sonja Polyurethane Satin to the entire surface since I had already used this varnish with the powders. For most of my projects I prefer this brush on varnish because I have more control and don’t get runs or streaks. On ornaments I like a spray because they are small and difficult to handle and using a spray is much easier to use especially on small pieces like these.

The steps I use for spraying an ornament with varnish are:

1. Add the hook and string, leather or ribbon to hang the ornament.

2. Hang the ornament in an area where I can spray.

3. I slowly spin the ornament and spray evenly to coat the sides, top and bottom. I allow the 1st layer to dry and then repeat the process one more time.

This technique provides a light even coating all around and if you don’t hold the can to close it won’t drip.

Pin vice bit is ideal for drilling small holes

Most ornaments I use a gloss finish because it just seems like they should “sparkle” but on my Native American style ornaments I prefer to use a matte finish. My favorite spray finish is Americana Sealer/Finisher. It is an acrylic finish that does not yellow and provides a great finish with minimal odor (but you still need to spray outside of the house). I spray in the garage and leave it there until any remaining odor dissipates.

Americana Sealer/Finisher gloss

Americana comes in both matte and gloss. The photo on the right shows the gloss sealer/finisher spray can but it is also available in matte which comes in a blue can. Americana Sealer/Finisher can be found at many art supply shops or online.  It is made by Deco Art but not as readily available as Krylon products. I like these so much better than Krylon or Deft. Just click on the link here to go to one of the many online stores that carry Americana Sealer/Finisher.

NOTICE:

All of the metallic accent powders are now in stock and photos have been posted on the website and available for immediate shipment.

“Two Feathers” Southwestern Gourd Ornament

Border lines drawn in pencil and then burned

I am starting this gourd ornament with no plan in mind.

I drilled holes through the top for the leather lacing I will use to hang the ornament.

Next, I just started drawing some border lines in the neck and at the bottom. Once I sketched the lines I started burning them using round-heeled knife.

The border seemed to be lacking something so I decided to add a simple design within the border lines to make it more interesting. The design is one commonly used throughout the Southwest. It is simple but looks nice.

Once the top border design was burned on the top I used the same border design at the bottom. I will come back to it later and add some color.

With the border designs in place it’s time to start adding some color to the gourd while I’m still contemplating the design in the center of the gourd.

Adding a design to the border

I decided to start by adding some background color above the top border and below the bottom border before I add any color to the borders. When I do Southwest style gourds I love using Memories Dye Inks Sepia color. It’s very earthy and really compliments most southwestern designs.

Using a cotton-tipped applicator with a pointed tip and flat ends I can cover the entire area without messing up any other areas. The flat side works great for the larger areas and the pointed end will do well for areas close to the lines.

Memories Sepia dye ink was applied & heat set

I covered the entire area above the border with the Sepia and then heat set it with an embossing heat tool. I then did the same thing below the bottom border.

Once the dye ink is heat set it will not smudge or smear while I continue working on the gourd.

It’s important to remember that if you are new to using Memories water-based inks that they really need to be heat set. This will help keep it from smearing as you work and it will set it in to the gourd surface so it will be permanent.

Once both areas were fully covered with the Dye ink it was time to start adding color to the borders.

Border is painted and feather designs have been sketched and burned

I decided to use a metallic paint to add some pizazz to the gourd. I used Lumiere metallic acrylic paint to color the border designs so it would stand out from the sepia. I left the center of the body alone until I get the design sketched. The Lumiere is a wonderful semi-opaque paint that comes in metallic and pearlescent colors. It goes on like butter and you can achieve wonderful effects with it.

I’m starting to think of designs for the body of the ornament but only had an idea up until now. What started out as a feather or two in my mind ended up being a pair of feathers on each side…and then some! One thing about art is that usually it starts with an idea then evolves as you go. That’s what is happening here.

On one side I sketched 2 feathers overlapping with leather lacing on the quill and then decided the other side needed something different. I sketched a concho with feathers through the center and leather lacing through the concho with pony beads scattered along the leather lacing.

Two Feathers design side one

Pony beads are commonly used in Native American art such as dream catchers and shields so I thought it would be a nice touch. My house is decorated in southwestern style and I have Kachina’s, dream catcher’s, vases, urns, warrior shields and other Native American art all over the place. Easy for me to get ideas without stepping foot outside my house.

Once the design was sketched I then burned the design. For this I use the same round-heeled knife but also use a small spear to do the fine detail areas. This tip is wonderful for doing lines and detail work.

After both designs are sketched and burned I carefully added the Memories Sepia dye ink around the design. I use a combination of a sponge applicator, the cotton-tipped applicator, Microbrushes and Taklon Micro detail brushes. The sponge applicator is good for larger areas and the Microbrushes, Taklon detail brushes and cotton-tipped applicators help keep the ink away from the burned lines of the design. The nice thing about the Microbrushes is that they come in three sizes to do fill most people’s needs.

Two Feathers ornament second side

The background color is finished and the dye ink was heat set with an embossing heat tool before I do anymore.

The hard part now is doing the painting of the overall feather designs. I am using a combination of JoSonja acrylic paint and Lumiere Metallic paint for all the color. Again, I am using the same applicators used previously. For the actual feathers I preferred using the Microbrushes because I will get a more “feathery” look so it looks soft.

Usually when I do southwestern designs I prefer a matte finish so that it looks more natural. So, once the overall design was finished I applied Americana Finishes matte sealer for a more natural finish. This is one of my favorite finishes when I use a spray finish and it is much easier to use a spray when doing ornaments that are small. I typically hang them and then let them spin slowly as I apply a smooth even spray.

Happy Gourding,

Nedra

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Pyrography and Gourd Tutorials

I have started the Tutorial page and hopefully will have the first tutorial posted tomorrow.  These are mini tutorials so don’t expect a full blown step by step. As time permits I will continue to do some step by steps on the website but those are pretty labor intensive and take up a lot of space. Blogs are geared more to short projects.

Once a tutorial is posted feel free to post comments, ask questions, etc. The idea is to help people learn and we can all do that by sharing the posts. If you have a mini tutorial you’d like to post please feel free. The will be reviewed and edited for appropriateness but we all want to learn and what better way to do it.

This is kind of a learning experience for me doing this blog but I want it to be educational, informative and a means to help people grow and blossom, kind of like gourds.