LARGE HARD GOURD ... great for purple martins / drum / shekere / other ART

Description

I strongly considered sitting this large HARD gourd aside for my own use (for purple martins), but decided to go ahead and list for you to consider.  It stands upright and is 15 1/2 inches tall and 32 inches around.  The handle is off center and a couple of sides aren't quite as rounded out, with some light marks (which can be sanded smooth).  It is a good strong gourd, and can be cut or carved.  Create a unique gourd bowl, basket, or vase ... or use for a big gourd shekere or nice drum project.  Excellent for a bird house, for the mentioned purple martins or perhaps even small owls / big woodpeckers.  Use sideways and cut away a section to create a wonderful gourd cornucopia and / or centerpiece base for decorating the fall table.  It's a good one!
SPECIAL NOTE:  For almost 20 years I have sold gourds here on ebay with only an occasional short vacation break, but that appears destined to change in a few weeks.  My inventory of available gourds is running low, and I do not have plans to get more anytime soon.  I might have gourds to sell again around the first of next year ... if the 2021 gourd crop is good and I can find good gourds to sell.  I have enjoyed supplying LOTS of gourds to LOTS of customers for LOTS of years, but with ever increasing selling fees, shipping costs, taxes, etc., I have to constantly evaluate whether the return on my efforts is worthwhile.  I am very fortunate to be in a position to not really need the profits realized from selling gourds.  (I enjoyed a very good career in the corporate world that ended a few years back.)  Sure, it's nice to make a little extra money on the side.  But as it stands (unless some gourds just fall into my lap), I won't be listing any gourds after about the end of September ... at least through the end of the year.  If I enjoy that break and get accustomed to some different habits, then I'm not sure I will even make an effort to start back up.  Almost 20 years is a long time to stick with this, and I have lots of others areas of interest to pursue.  So in the meantime if you know you want gourds from me, you might want to stock up before they are all gone.  And THANKS for a great run so far ... whether it proves to be over for good ... or just paused for a few months.
IMPORTANT SHIPPING INFORMATION:  If you only win one or two of my auctions, the cheapest shipping option is almost always through the post office.  The prices displayed are for shipping each auction in its own box.  However, if you win three or more auctions THAT ARE PAID FOR AT THE SAME TIME, then I can SOMETIMES get cheaper shipping by combining into one box and using UPS Ground.  Shipping to locations closer to me (in Georgia) offers really good discounts for bigger boxes ... about half the price of shipping individual boxes.  However if you are a west coast buyer, the greater shipping distance pretty much eliminates any chance to lower the overall cost.  The shipping cost you see still calculates as if every auction is shipping in its own box using the post office, and that is THE MAXIMUM amount you will ever pay.  IF I can combine to achieve any savings, I will switch over to UPS Ground and either send you a revised invoice (if you haven't already paid) or refund the shipping over payment.  Combined wins for shipping MUST BE PAID ON THE SAME PAYMENT, so if you see other auctions coming up a day or two later that you want to include in a shipment, please hold off paying.  IF YOU PAY, I AM REQUIRED TO SHIP ... so you will not get any reduction in shipping.  Do not pay and then ask me to hold; ebay penalizes sellers who do not ship in a timely manner (once payments are received).  I cannot tell you what the combined shipping will be ahead of time, as it depends on exactly what size / weight the box ends up, along with the destination.  Until I know which auctions are being combined, there's no way to know how big of a box is needed.  But again I will pass along any savings I can for multiple wins.  THANKS!
Helpful sizing information:  I provide circumference (measurement AROUND) the gourd because it is more exact, but for those who visualize better in diameter (measurement ACROSS), the first number is diameter and the second is circumference:  3 inches diameter = 9.4 inches around; 4 = 12.6;  5 = 15.7;  6 = 18.8;  7 = 22;  8 = 25.1;  9 = 28.3;  10 = 31.4;  11 = 34.6;  12 = 37.7;  13 = 40.8.  I rarely have gourds over 40 inches around, but if I do, I will try to include both measurements.  My HEIGHT measurements on gourds never include stems; only the gourd itself.
I do my best to keep all customers HAPPY.  Please check my feedback; I have a pretty good record going all the way back to 2002. My current feedback score is over 19,000 (and rising) with more than 43,000 feedback comments received and over 68,000 feedback comments left for customers. (THAT'S A LOT OF GOURDS!) If you ever receive an item from me and aren't satisfied, please get in touch and give me a chance to fix the issue. Most of my business is to repeat customers, who I greatly appreciate. If you aren't a repeat customer already, I hope you become one!
I sell CLEAN, dry, ready to use gourds ... and at times a few cypress pieces. Stems sometimes break off, and occasionally I will glue one back in place. (You will have a hard time telling whether a stem is the original or a replacement.) If the gourds you win in an auction do not have stems and you would like some included, just ASK and I will add a few spares to the box for you to glue on yourself ... no charge. Also, if you have a special gourd need, please ask. I will do my best to make cuts, list more bowls or bird houses, or come up with other ways of meeting your needs. That helps us both out in the long run. Certainly if you have any other questions or just want to talk gourds, feel free to get in touch. And GOOD LUCK bidding!