This is kind of amazing. The gourd's body is about 1/4" thick and very wood-like only without splinters :whistle: I've smoothed the opening and tried to maintain the same shape as the overall body which is a little flatter on one side and narrower at the top so the opening is rather unequal oval. The Dremel worked well for smoothing, having survived it's dunk in the washer (don't ask -- just know that a dip in your Whirlpool won't destroy your tiny machine). The interior should provide enough room for Witchee, her cauldron and her herb/spell cupboard. Will probably use some shelving on the walls.

Scooped out a depression in a sheet of styrofoam which should keep the gourd fully upright with the aid of some tacky glue. This pic shows the gourd sitting on the depression -- no glue, yet. More trimming to do on the opening and then more smoothing -- not to worry, I washed Monday so the dremel won't get another bath.

Having trouble deciding on the finish for the interior wall. Want to maintain the natural look of the walls, so no paint. Thinking modge podge will suffice with perhaps some clay wood texture or stones...leaning toward stone. The floor will be clay -- these things have a very uneven interior floor with a little protruding 'belly button' dead center, so there's little chance that wood will lie flat and using wood would require some build-up of some sort around the navel part, so chances are it would be uneven. Clay is the way!

I'm coming down with a horrible cold, so building will be continued tomorrow, drat!