I grew this from a seed, a plant that yielded 5 gourds sprang up. I stayed up into the twilight hours to pollenate the flowers by hand, many of which just wilted and fell to the ground. I saw giant moths during the night hours who were attracted to the blooms, like bats floating past my head. The gourds themselves were venerable as they grew, some spoiled after being chewed by beetles and the remaining five grew to full size. Although I had to wait for the vines to dry completely or risk them rot prematurely.
The fall would come and I had wait even further to allow them to cure with a coat of mold. What remained was the process of disrobing the gourds of the mold and finally putting hot metal to the thin skin. With no room for error I cast my thoughts on its delicate body. Untold total hours were spent creating this gourd many more using a wood burner to finish it. I count myself truly blessed to have been able to partake in the this process as it completes my soul every time I am allowed to do so.