Dried Apples

• apples; green or red
• lemon juice
• salt
• knife
• wire racks
• matte clear acrylic spray
• paper towels

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 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!