Crafting Basics: Dried Apples and Oranges
By Brenda Hyde
Dried apples and oranges are easy country
accents that you can add to wreaths, swags, baskets,
or any craft using dried natural items. On their own you can
use them to make ornaments, garland and much more.
Be sure to dry several sizes of apples and oranges.
Dried Apples
You will need:
apples; green or red
lemon juice
salt
knife
wire racks
matte clear acrylic spray
paper towels
Slice apples 1/4 inch thick, leaving in the core. Soak the
slices for 20 minutes in a mixture of 2 cups lemon juice
and 3 tablespoons salt. Be sure to cover completely.
Remove slices and pat dry with paper towels. Place on
wire rack placed on cookie sheets (for easy removal)
in a 150 oven for approximately 6 hours until dry. If they
start to curl, turn them over. When done, the slices
should have a leathery type feel. Spray each slice with
2 coats of acrylic spray, drying between coats.
Dried Oranges
You will need:
Oranges
knife
wire racks
matte clear acrylic spray
paper towels
Cut each orange crosswise into 1/4 inch slices.
Discard end pieces. Place on wire racks which
have been placed on cookie sheets in a 150
degree oven. Dry for about 6 hours, turning over
if edges start to curl. When dried, they should
be pliable.
You can use the slices whole or cut in half,
depending on what you use them for. Spray
either with 2 coats of spray, allowing to dry
between coats.
Crafting Ideas:
Simple ornaments can be made of either dried fruit
by threading clear fishing line through the top of the
ornament for hanging. You can accent the ornament
with twine or raffia bows.
A grouping of apples and/or oranges with a raffia bow
make wonderful package accents for gifts. Create your
own gift tags and use stamped brown craft paper for
wrapping paper.
Add small orange or apple slices to a wooden napkin
ring for a unique napkin ring.
Once you have your fruit dried you will think of more and
more uses as your imagination runs wild. They are a
wonderful natural accent!
