How to Carve Shrunken Head Apples
Shrunken head apples are fun to make and very easy. They're a fantastic and creepy Halloween decoration and would be fun for kids parties. Apple head dolls are an age old folk art. Like corn husk dolls, apple head dolls came about as a craft and a toy made from readily available items. Creating apple heads requires the use of sharp tools, so this craft is not suitable for very young children. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Apple
- Corer
- Peeler
- Paring Knife
- Small Bowl
- 1 Cup Lemon Juice
- 1TBSP Salt
- Baking Rack
Instructions
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How to Make Shrunken Head Apples
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1
Mix salt and lemon juice together in a small bowl.
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2
Use the corer to remove the core of the apple.
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3
Peel all the skin from the apple using the peeler.
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4
Soak the apple in the bowl for ten minutes.
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5
Carve holes for eyes and mouth using the tip of the peeler or paring knife.
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6
To create a nose or eyebrows, remove apple around those areas so that they stick out of the face.
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7
Place the carved apple back in the bowl to soak for another two minutes. This preserves the apple so it doesn't get moldy or rot quickly.
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8
Remove the apple from the bowl and place it on the baking rack.
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9
Store the rack in a dry place for five to seven days. When you remove them, they'll look fantastically spooky!
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can get really creative with carving the facial features. Remember that the apple is going to shrink so it will look different from the way you carve it. That's the fun!
While the apples are drying out, check on them a few times. You may want to turn them upside down after a few days.
Shrunken head apples can be decorated by putting hats on them, sparkles, sticking pins in them, etc. Again, get creative!
If children are going to do this project, adult supervision will be required.
Adults should handle all the apple cutting.
