Gourd carving

I haven't carved many gourds as they are not as popular here as they are overseas. However, when I came across a few in a local coffee shop I couldn't help myself in enquiring about purchasing one. The owner gratefully handed over a couple of boxes for a minimal fee as they were just sitting there gathering dust.

As they are a shell and not thick wood, like what I was used to, I did sadly put a couple of minor holes in the first one. But since I was just learning I couldn't berate myself too much. Gourd carving is a totally different way to carve, it takes a little time to come to terms with being careful not to go to deep.
With all of the gourds I used both chisels and a rotary power tool