Marsha, most of my gourds are larger, when I do get a smaller one I make an ornament out of it, a snowman or covered with stars, etc. The ones I grow I leave on the vine until the vine dies, or just let them hang on the dead vine for weeks to harden. If they fall I hang them with twine to encourge them to continue hardening or else the shell is too thin and cracks easily. Some just never harden well naturally.
When I make a birdhouse I usually paint something whimsical, I do give some away,wish I had taken more photos, but I do have a couple of photos I will try to post later.
I am still having troubles with 'empty post' and have to clear the cache if I want to post.
I took a photo of wrens nesting in one gourd with the babies sticking their heads out, but it is very poor quality, but they were so cute.
Thanks for the offer, right now I have about 30 gourds staring at me waiting for me to get an inspiration! Or the time.