CORNHUSKS DOLLS FOR FUN AND PROFIT

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The husks you collect should be dry, not green, and will last for years if kept free of moisture. Any that are spotted with mildew can be bleached in a solution of Clorox and water . . . though the treatment may make them a bit more brittle than unbleached wrappings.

Discard the coarsest parts of the outer husk (which are likely to be discolored and wind-shredded). The goats may eat these leavings . . . and if not, the rejects make good livestock bedding. What remains is a many-layered wrapper, some parts of which should be sorted out and put aside for special purposes.

One of the beauties of an earth craft like this is that it leads you to notice the marvelous way in which nature's products are put together. See, for example, how the cornhusk is "gathered" around the stalk, so that it flares from the stem's small diameter to the plumpness of the rounded ear?

Carefully tease away the ample outer pieces of husk from the stalk (some will tear, but can still be used), and save the fullest, heaviest, and cleanest for the doll's skirt. Also select the lighter-weight, silkier, but still flared portions from the inner layers of the husk. These will come in handy as sleeves. Especially clean and pliable-yet opaque bits of shuck make good faces for cornhusk people, and corn silk does well as hair.

Remove all the husk from about five ears of corn, to give you plenty of material to choose from as you construct your first doll. And remember that many parts of the creation won't require any special formation of corn shuck (and, therefore, can be put together from what's left over after you've set aside the choice bits).

Next, gather the few other findings you'll need:

[1] Lightweight string, crochet cotton, or whatever similar cord you have on hand or can get inexpensively. Color isn't important.
[2] Tan, ivory, or other "cornhusk colored" sewing thread to tie the parts of the doll that will show when finished.
[3] Wire or pipe cleaners.
[4] A base for the doll's head. Possibilities include acorns, hickory nuts, black walnuts, beads from old jewelry, or recycled styrofoam balls 1 inch or a shade larger in diameter.
[5] Straight pins.
[6] White casein glue.

When you're ready to work on your first "little person", pour lukewarm water into, the sink, a pan, or a shallow basin and soak the shucks for a few minutes to soften them. Any you don't use at once can be left to air dry and put away for another time.

Next, choose a comfortable, well-lit location, and place a folded bath towel on your work surface to absorb moisture from the husks during handling (unless you especially enjoy the sensation of cool water dripping down to your elbows).

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