YOU CAN MAKE AN ""EAR OF CORN"" DOLL

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STEP TWO:

Remove a band of kernels (approximately one inch wide) from both the "neck" and "waist" of the ear of corn. (Use the paring knife, if you have to, to pick the grains away from the cob ... but be careful!) Then spray or brush clear varnish over the remaining kernels to preserve them and protect them from insects. Do not paint the shucks. When you've finished, hang the ear up by its husks and let it dry. (If possible, all of Step Two is best done outside or in a workshop.)

STEP THREE:

Soak the shucks (and shucks only) of your ear of corn in water until they become soft and pliable. Then spread an old towel on a work surface and — keeping everything over it — cut two pieces of twine (each approximately nine inches long) and six lengths (again, nine inches each) of thread.

While holding the ear of corn in one hand, use the other to pull its shucks down — one at a time — until the kernels of corn are covered all the way around. Don't pull all the sections of husk down. Leave some loose for the braids and bangs you 'll make later.

Tie one piece of twine around the pulled-down shucks at your ear's "neck". Then, leaving enough shucks on each side of the developing doll to tie into "arms", smooth the rest of the pulled-down husks past the doll's "waist" . . . and tie them there with the second piece of twine.

STEP FOUR:

Tie the finished arms off at the elbows and wrists so that they're each about four inches long (this will take a total of four lengths of thread).

STEP FIVE:

Temporarily stand your doll in a small jar and — using the smoothest side of the shuck — covered ear for the face — start to form the toy's bangs and braids. A single section of shuck is usually just right for the bangs ... but you can always split one if it's too wide, or combine two narrow ones.

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