This doll takes a while to make but is a real treasure dressed in an old-fashioned outfit.

Materials Needed

    1 large Rome Beauty apple
    Apple peeler (optional)
    1 coat hanger
    Wire cutters
    Pliers
    1 quart pre-treating solution (optional – see below)
    Knife
    Food dehydrator (optional)
    Acrylic paint
    Paintbrushes
    Spray varnish
    2 straight pins with small black glass heads (for eyes)
    Craft hair
    Cloth body (available from craft stores that carry bodies for porcelain dolls)
    Doll clothing or fabric scraps and lace

Preparing the Apple for Crafting

    Peel the apple. Cut a 10-inch piece from the hanger with wire cutters and fold it in half with the pliers. Push the hanger into the bottom of the apple.
    Part of the charm of an apple doll is the natural coloring that occurs as the apple dries. If you prefer the face to stay lighter in color, soak the peeled fresh apple in a pre-treating solution for 15 minutes.
    Create a face by carving around the features. Using the knife, lightly mark a triangle in the center of the apple for the nose. Slice away bits of apple from around the sides and bottom of the nose so that it sticks out. For the mouth, cut a wedge 1/2-inch below the nose and cut two wedges for the eyes. Cut light lines in the forehead to make wrinkles. (All of the features will wrinkle as the apple dries and shrivels.) Soak the carved apple for another 10 minutes in the pre-treating solution.

Drying the Apple

    If you have a dehydrator, dry the carved pretreated apple for 24 to 48 hours at 150 degrees F. until the apple is dry, spongy and wrinkled. (If you don’t have a dehydrator, set the apple in a warm, dry place. Air drying can take from one to three weeks, depending on the temperature and humidity.)

Finalizing the Apple Doll

When the apple head is completely dry, accent the facial features with acrylic paint. Spray the head with a clear varnish to prolong its life.
    Push the straight pin eyes into the carved eye sockets. Glue on the craft hair. Attach a cloth body to the hanger. Dress the doll in ready-made or hand-sewn clothes. A little lace around the neck hides the wire.

Pre-Treating Fruit (Optional)

    If you want your dried fruit to stay light in color before you dry it, soak it in a solution made from sodium bisulfite, lemon juice or an ascorbic acid such as Ball 100 percent Natural Fruit Preserver.
    Sodium bisulfite works best to preserve the color (and vitamins) in apples, pears and peaches. It is a white salt, available from drug stores and winemaking supply stores. Dissolve 1 teaspoon in a quart of water.
    Lemon juice and ascorbic acid do not work quite as well but may be used.
    Dissolve 1 1/2 tablespoons Fruit Preserver or 4 tablespoons of lemon juice in 1 quart of water.
    Soak peeled or cut fruit for 5 to 15 minutes. Thinly sliced fruit requires less time.