Shucks Redux

Cornhusk crafts were once considered old-timey-dare we say corny?-but we're staging a revival. Sophisticated spins and an ombré of dyed hues will have you falling again for this natural material.

- KATHY BARNES

CALICO CORN

Materials
■ Paper-wrapped wire About 104 dyed wood beads (see how-to, above)
■ 3-4 dyed cornhusks (see how-to, above)
■ Hot-glue gun

Step-by-Step

1. Cut four 14" lengths of wrapped wire. Add about 26 beads to each wire.

2. Fold each wire in half so there is an equal number of beads on each side of the fold. Holding one wire cut side down, place another wire over the fold. Add the other two wires, crossing all four wires until you have a cob shape.

3. Twist all of the cut wire ends on the bottom of the cob together and trim any excess.

4. Place cornhusks on work surface, slightly overlapping them. Spritz with water and spread out husks so they lie flat. Place the beaded cob on top of the husks and shape them around the cob.

Add hot glue to the wire end and twist cornhusks around it to cover. Wrap a small piece of wire around the twisted end and tie the ends together to secure, right.

MULTICOLOR PLACEMAT

Materials

■ 24 dyed cornhusks (see how-to, opposite)
■ Iron
■ Roll of corkboard
■ Bowl (optional)
■ Hot-glue gun
■ Braided cornhusk trim (ours is from Etsy)

Step-by-Step

1. Spritz cornhusks with water to soften and gently flatten with iron on low heat.

2. Draw a 15"x20" rectangle on the cork with a pencil. To create rounded corners, if you like, place a bowl on top of a corner and trace its curve. Repeat on the three remaining corners. Cut out with scissors and mark the center of the cork oval lightly with a pencil.

3. Place a cornhusk on the cork with the smaller end touching the center mark and the wider end extending to the edge of the place mat, below (on bottom left); hot-glue to the cork. Repeat with remaining cornhusks, overlapping husks slightly until the cork mat is covered. Trim away any excess cornhusk around the edge.