How to make an Osage Orange (horse apple) ornament.
By Cheryl L. McClure
These beautiful, organic, handmade ornaments are not hard to make but it does take some time and elbow grease!
Gather your horse apples as they fall from the Bodark tree while they are fresh and green.
Alone, they will make a great table top still life setting in the fall!
And did you know there's folklore that suggests the horse apples can be used as insect repellent? If you have an abundance, might want to give it a try!
Alone, they will make a great table top still life setting in the fall!
And did you know there's folklore that suggests the horse apples can be used as insect repellent? If you have an abundance, might want to give it a try!
I found the best knife to cut with is a sharp cleaver.
A large sheet of plywood is handy to cut on and to lay the slices out on. After I cut the stem end off of the horse apple, I place the flat end down and slice across parallel to the plywood surface since these are very hard in the center.
Use rubber gloves because the fruit is very sticky (like glue). It will get everywhere so be sure and wear your grubbies! Using orange oil soap will get the tools clean.
Place your slices on a foil covered cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees F for several hours; turn periodically. I have left them in for 8-10 hours and let air dry a day or two after to cure.
A large sheet of plywood is handy to cut on and to lay the slices out on. After I cut the stem end off of the horse apple, I place the flat end down and slice across parallel to the plywood surface since these are very hard in the center.
Use rubber gloves because the fruit is very sticky (like glue). It will get everywhere so be sure and wear your grubbies! Using orange oil soap will get the tools clean.
Place your slices on a foil covered cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees F for several hours; turn periodically. I have left them in for 8-10 hours and let air dry a day or two after to cure.
Once dry, drill holes for the attachment and paint. I used gold spray paint on one side and silver on the other.
Wire the attachment with some florist wire or lightweight wire. The hooks are ready made, so they work nicely.
Hang as is or embellish. Endless, are the possibilities with crystals, beads, gems or small pinecones!
Hang as is or embellish. Endless, are the possibilities with crystals, beads, gems or small pinecones!
Enjoy your ornaments. Dress up a wreath or use in a floral arrangement. They also make great gifts or package decorations!
Cheryl @ Pickle Creek Ranch
Cheryl @ Pickle Creek Ranch
WHAT YOU NEED:
Horse Apples (Osage Oranges)
Sheet of plywood
Sharp cleaver
Foil to line a cookie sheet
Gloves (probably best to use some you can throw away)
Wear your old work clothes!
Spray paint of desired color
Hammer and nail to make hole
Wire and wire hooks
Orange oil for cleanup
INSTRUCTIONS:
Slice across the stem end of horse apple
Set flat side down onto plywood
Slice parallel to the plywood from the bottom up - about 1/4 inch thickness
Lay out on foil lined cookie sheet
(You can let them totally air dry but to hurry it up, I put in the oven)
Bake for several hours at 250° F, checking periodically, turn and bake more if needed
Allow to cure for a day or so
Drill hole for wire
Spray paint the ornaments, let dry before turning over to paint the other side
Add wire looped through hole, add hook
Attach additional bling if desired, like crystals, glitter, mini pinecones or beads.
Horse Apples (Osage Oranges)
Sheet of plywood
Sharp cleaver
Foil to line a cookie sheet
Gloves (probably best to use some you can throw away)
Wear your old work clothes!
Spray paint of desired color
Hammer and nail to make hole
Wire and wire hooks
Orange oil for cleanup
INSTRUCTIONS:
Slice across the stem end of horse apple
Set flat side down onto plywood
Slice parallel to the plywood from the bottom up - about 1/4 inch thickness
Lay out on foil lined cookie sheet
(You can let them totally air dry but to hurry it up, I put in the oven)
Bake for several hours at 250° F, checking periodically, turn and bake more if needed
Allow to cure for a day or so
Drill hole for wire
Spray paint the ornaments, let dry before turning over to paint the other side
Add wire looped through hole, add hook
Attach additional bling if desired, like crystals, glitter, mini pinecones or beads.
RSS Feed