Corn Dollies
from http://www.ontariocorn.org/husk2.htmlIn England, where corn refers to any grain, such as wheat, rye, or oats, good luck harvest figures called corn dollies are made each year. You can make your own from Maize.
Corn husks, fresh or dried, about 6-8 pieces.
String
Cotton balls, about 4
Scraps of cloth, yarn, beads, and pipe cleaners (optional)Note: If you are using dried husks, soak them in water to soften them. Fresh husks need no special preparation.
Step 1: Take a strip of husk and place a few cotton balls in the middle, twisting and tying it with string to make a head. Make some arms by folding another husk and tying it near each end to make hands. Slip the arms between the husks that extend under the head. Tie the waist with string.
Step 2: Arrange enough husks around the figure's waist so that they overlap slightly. Tie them in place with string.
Step 3: Fold the husks down carefully. For a woman wearing a long skirt, cut the husks straight across at the hem. to make a man, divide the skirt in two and tie each half at the ankles. Let the figure dry completely.
Step 4: You can leave you figure as is, or give it a face, hair, or even some fancier clothes. Use a fine-tipped marker to draw facial features. Glue some fuzzy yarn on for hair. Add some tiny beads for buttons, and bits of fabric for aprons or vests. A pipe cleaner staff or cane will help the man stand upright.
Check out this Link for some incredible wheat weaving photos and links to grain weaving sites.
Also Try These Links for More Incredible Examples of this Art Form
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/4565/janet/janet.htm
http://www.geocities.com/mcbobl/isabelle/index.htm
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/4565/elda/elda.htm
http://www.geocities.com/baja/6059/grethe/gindex.htm
http://www.geocities.com/mcbobl/laird.htm
http://www.geocities.com/baja/4678
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/4565/donna.htm
http://www.geocities.com/wheatwhiz/atie/atie.htm
http://www.geocities.com/baja/6059/carol.htm
Corn Dollies and Harvest Knots
Check out this link for useful diagrams and links to more knots and figurines. http://www.toad.net/~sticker/harvest.htmlWeaving, fingerwork, busy fingers three dimensions and optical illusions of movement turned from a flat straw-plaiting is a direct connection to the Celtic Spirit and produces an organic artwork which is virtually independent of time place and of material restrictions. Corn dollies made from wheat what the peoples of the British Isles call ""corn"" have deep pagan symbolic roots. The harvest knot for men has no seeds but the woman''s knot has them intact- its about fertility and the wonder of the harvest and thanksgiving. Perhaps the best known ""corn"" sculpture is the old hag or cailleach which is constructed from the last sheaf to be harvested. It is blessed and carried by the lucky person who harvested it fore it is to give them good luck. Through time much of the pagan meanings have been forgotten, yet, the designs and the activity of plaiting persisted. Today harvest knots are made into jewelry- beautiful gifts for friends. And the designs and the craft- the very activity itself - timeless- continues to delight the crafter as much as the observer. Plaiting begins with a simple pattern known as the two plait which is also known as ""cat stairs"". From completed two plaits one can braid ever more complex harvest knots and corn dollies of all sorts. Then with the concept mastered it is with a little practice that you will move on to the more complex plaits and designs.
You can do plaiting everywhere- the materials are all around you growing wild in nature or as simply found as a scrap of paper. (I always send my wife to church on palm Sunday for extra palm fronds). For my classes- and for beginners I recommend a half inch wide and two yard long piece of wallpaper.
In minutes you will have a wonderful dolly ready to present to your sweetie on the way to the fair! I provide instructions below for doing a two plat and to the right you will find illustrations of famous Irish corn dollies and knots.
Materials:
I use wallpaper remnants. Cut them into one half inch strips of about 1-2 yards in length. It is difficult to find straw but if you find yourself in a wheat field give it a try. The best straw for platting should be a longer variety. You should cut the straw when almost ripe but not totally dry-the first joint still green. If the heads are bent the straw will be too brittle. The straw should be dried in the sun for a day and then hung in bundles from a rafter upside down. When straw is dry take off the outer leaf. Cut the head off at the first node beneath it. Select straws that are similar in size to be worked together. Palm fronds are ideal as well- but don't let these dry out. I generally plait mine before getting home after church on Palm Sunday.
Instructions:
1. Before platting dampen straws so that they will be pliable. Place the straw in a tub of lukewarm water for 20 -30 minutes. Keep the straw under the water so it is uniformly wet. Put the straw in a damp towel so it does not dry out. Be careful! If you leave straw wet it will mildew and spoil. Only dampen or ""temper"" the materials that you need. Of course with paper or alternative materials you will not need dampening.
2. To make a two plat lay the strip of paper out lengthwise in front of you flat on the work surface.
3. Find the center of the strip
4. Fold the strip so that it forms a right angle at the center point. Your strip should now look like an L . Put it in front of you so it looks like L.
5. You will notice that one of the arms of the L is under. The other. Fold that arm perpendicularly over the other.
6. That makes the other arm of the L under. Fold it then over the other.
7. Repeat, always folding the arm that is under over the arm that is under. Be sure to grasp the corner firmly and hold tight. Do this until the material is used up.
8. When you are finished folding you will have a squarewith two ends. Pull each end from the other rotating slightly to reveal the design. Now secure the ends and present your ancient Celtic knot to your sweetie- and celebrate the thanksgiving of the harvest.
The Harvest Mouse
Check out this link for diagrams to make a