Apple doll facts for kids
An apple doll is a special kind of doll from North America. Its unique head is made from a dried apple! People also call them "apple-head" dolls.
Long ago, these dolls might have been toys. But today, they are mostly used as cool decorations. They also show off amazing craftsmanship. Because each apple dries differently, every apple doll is truly one-of-a-kind. No two are exactly alike!
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How to Make an Apple Doll Head
Making an apple doll is a fun craft project. It involves two main parts: the head and the body. The head is the most important part.
Preparing the Apple for Drying
First, you need a fresh apple. You carefully peel the apple. Then, you use a spoon or a small knife to gently carve or press the apple's flesh. This helps to shape the doll's face. In the past, people sometimes just pinched the apple as it started to shrink. This created the facial features.
Next, you push a wire through the center of the apple. This wire will help the apple dry evenly. You can dip the apple in lemon juice for about a day. This helps stop it from turning too dark.
Drying the Apple Head
After preparing it, the apple needs to dry. This can take a long time, sometimes up to 30 days! As it dries, the apple naturally gets darker. It also shrinks a lot, becoming about one-third of its original size.
The coolest part is what happens as it shrinks. The apple's surface will wrinkle, just like an old person's face. These wrinkles give the doll its unique character and expression. Sometimes, the apple might dry in a strange shape. If that happens, the maker might have to start over with a new apple.
Adding Details to the Dried Head
Once the apple head is completely dry, you can add more details. Small white beads or grains of rice can be pushed into the mouth area to look like teeth. Buttons or sequins make great eyes for the doll.
For the doll's hair, you can use many different materials. Wool, yarn, fleece, or even cotton batting work well. Some people even use human hair! First, the hair material is glued onto a small piece of felt. Then, this felt piece is glued securely to the top of the dried apple head.
Building the Doll's Body
After the head is ready, it's time to make the body. The finished apple head is placed on top of a wire frame. This wire frame is shaped to look like the rest of the doll's body.
Shaping and Padding the Body
The wire frame is then padded to give the doll its shape. You can use soft materials like rags, paper, or wadding for this. Sometimes, the doll's hands are also shaped. They can be made from a special clay created from bread.
Dressing the Apple Doll
Finally, the doll's body is covered with clothing. The clothes are usually sewn by hand. Makers can choose any style or fabric they like. This allows them to create a doll that truly matches their own artistic taste.
