Once gourds are dried, they make a perfect odd-shaped canvas to decorate. Use the earth-toned colors for painting your own pieces of folk art. Create large stripes and swirls all over the gourds, much like the techniques used by early American Indian tribes. Add some small details to make the pattern more intricate and eye appealing. The gourds with the longer tops can be painted as a fish when put on its side. Use your imagination and decorate the fish with stripes, checks or polka dots. These craft items can be displayed at art shows by placing them on a table or by hanging them on a string from overhead.
Make wind chimes from old ornate silverware. Hang them at different heights off a piece of small driftwood. Drill a hole in the stems and use clear fishing line for the string to hang them. Use knives, forks, spoons and any other odd pieces of serving utensils you can find. Curl some of the stems to give them interesting shapes, but leave some in their original form. Put a hook as a hanger on the top of driftwood so you can attach it overhead on a ceiling or beam. This craft idea will be both eye appealing and ear appealing for your art show.
Another craft idea is quilted pot holders. These are done just as a large quilt would be made, but with tiny squares of material. Make some round, rectangular and square. These little art pieces are too good to use as pot holders, but you can be reassured they will find their rightful home once they have been purchased. They will be displayed for everyone to see on a wall or refrigerator in a country kitchen.
Make a large dog or cat out of papier-mâché. This will be just like making a piñata, and it will be about the same size too. Use a thick, bendable wire to construct the foundation of the animal you decide to make. It is easier to make this plaster pet in a lying down position. Once you are done with the wire foundation, apply the papier-mâché to your project. Before the animal is completely finished, fill it with potpourri. When the animal shape is dry, poke small holes in it for the potpourri scent to come through. Spray paint a base coat and then go back and paint the details of the fur and facial features. These large animal figures look comfortable on a mantel or shelf and act as a room freshener. This is one craft project that will be an art show hit.