Tin ceiling tiles and drinking gourds

I was able to purchase 105 tin ceiling tiles ( 20 x 24 ) from an old building, probably 1880's. A few will be used to make a backsplash behind my grandmother's Hotpoint stove that I still use. I hope to replace the new copper tins that should never have been placed in a pegged 1850's pie safe by cutting some squares and using an iron punch to make a pattern. Finally, the drinking gourd crop was successful. I hope to end up with about thirty in all. When the summer ends, the green gourds either rot or turn rock-hard. There is absolutely nothing that can be done. Mother Nature makes the decision.