Preserving Gourds - a non-edible kitchen project

Volunteer gourds appeared in our pasture . . . and they are bountiful, colorful and a bit weird. After some research, I believe they are an Autumn Wings variety. 

With such an abundance of gourds, I decided to try to preserve them. Here's how::

Instructions for preserving gourds:

1. Cut the gourds for the vine when their stems were dried up and had turned brown.
2. Wash the gourds in warm soapy water and use a soft washcloth to wipe away dirk; be careful to not nick the gourd's surface or it will decay.
3. Sponge off the gourds in a solution of 2 quarts warm water and 1/4 cup borax—this acts as a disinfectant and kills are germs or pests that promote decay.
   
4. Dry each gourd thoroughly with a soft bath towel and lay them on newspaper in a dry, warm, dark place such as an attic, shed, barn or unused room. Make sure there is space between the gourds and that they are not touching one another.
   
5. Allow the gourds to dry, turning them over every few day. Some mold may develop on the surface which indicated that water is leaking the gourd. Just wipe it away with a paper towel.
6. Discard any gourds that become mushy or begin to cave in on themselves. It takes one to six months for a gourd to dry depending on the size and atmospheric conditions. When they are dry, they will make a hollow sound when tapped + the seeds will move around when shaken. 
7. When completely dry they are ready to use for fall decorations.
   
   
   

Instructions for preserving gourds without photos:

1. Cut the gourds for the vine when their stems were dried up and had turned brown.
2. Wash the gourds in warm soapy water and use a soft washcloth to wipe away dirk; be careful to not nick the gourd's surface or it will decay.
3. Sponge off the gourds in a solution of 2 quarts warm water and 1/4 cup borax—this acts as a disinfectant and kills are germs or pests that promote decay.
4. Dry each gourd thoroughly with a soft bath towel and lay them on newspaper in a dry, warm, dark place such as an attic, shed, barn or unused room. Make sure there is space between the gourds and that they are not touching one another.
5. Allow the gourds to dry, turning them over every few day. Some mold may develop on the surface which indicated that water is leaking the gourd. Just wipe it away with a paper towel.
6. Discard any gourds that become mushy or begin to cave in on themselves. It takes one to six months for a gourd to dry depending on the size and atmospheric conditions. When they are dry, they will make a hollow sound when tapped + the seeds will move around when shaken. 
7. When completely dry they are ready to use for fall decorations.