Most all of the gourds you'll see at the Illinois Festival of Gourds will have been from last year's crop or even from a previous year.
It would be a good thing for you to go and check it out.
Most vendors love to answer your questions and I think they will have several classes you could sign up for.

Jan

Well not on the vine but I have etched into the skin of the gourds after they
have been harvested. When the vine starts to die or your gourds are done
growing. I bring mine or most of them in to dry as I like to watch them dry
also it give you the time to start etching on them.
The design that you etch will turn a darker color or stay a lighter color as it
dries and will stay a different color from then on.
I have never scratched beneath the outer skin though so that would be a whole new
territory and i would worry about them collapsing or becomeing weak as they dry.
But hey if you get a good crop you might want to try it on one or two to see what happens.
Good luck hope this helps some, and if I can help in any other way just ask.
Happy gourding.
Cathy

When and where is the Illinois Festival of Gourds? I'd love to attend.

Thanks,
Marcia

I have a Korean friend who picks the gourds, scalds the outside, cleans the inside before they dry completely.

She doesn't have any problems with this method.

I would love information on how your Korean friend does this!