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Pomander Ball

  • Completed Project:Pomander Ball Picture #1
  • Completed Project:Pomander Ball Picture #2
  • Completed Project:Pomander Ball Picture #3
  • Completed Project:Pomander Ball Picture #4

How to make a pomander ball.
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1) Apple, 2) Orange, 3) Lemon / Lime.

The first time I made one of these, I was about six years old. My Vavo (grandmother) showed me how to make them. She had us just stick the cloves straight into the fruit. It wasn't long before my fingers just hurt, and I wanted to quit. They did get finished, but it took many days because my fingers kept getting hurt. My grandmother still has those balls in her china cupboard, and they still have a scent. I figured there had to be a way to do it without the pain, so I used an stiletto to prick the fruit first. It made it so the cloves went in easily; no pain. I made six about a year ago in one sitting and without the hurting fingers. This year I am doing it for the tutorial but I will enlist one of my children's help. It is to hard to make and take photos so she made the pomander as I gave her instructions on what to do next so I could take pictures.

Instructions:

Work over cookie sheet or plate as juices drip out while handling the fruit; this makes for easier clean up. Try to use cloves with the heads still on them; this will make for a prettier ball in the end. The others can just be saved for cooking with.

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  1. Step 1

    Step 1

    First making sure that the fruit is not all bruised as this can lead to molding when drying. Then remove fruit stickers then wash and dry fruit.

  2. Step 2

    Step 2

    Use sharp instrument to make small holes in fruit. If a small child is doing this please have adult supervision and take care that they are safe.

  3. Step 3

    Step 3

    Press the sharp end of the whole clove into the holes in the fruit...

  4. Step 4

    Step 4

    keep doing this 'till fruit is completely covered.Being careful not to break the floweretts on the end of the clove. It will make your ball prettier if they are intake.

  5. Step 5

    Step 5

    Place one teaspoon of each spice: ground cloves, ground nutmeg, cinnamon, and orris root powder if you are using that into the plastic bag. Mix together till well blended.

  6. Step 6

    Step 6

    Place clove-studded fruit in bag; shake gently and well until completely covered.

  7. Step 7

    Step 7

    Remove from bag and set aside to dry for two to four weeks in a cool, dark place. The drying time depends on how much humidity is in your air. I like to make a little sling out of lofa mesh to hang it so I don't get a flat-sided fruit. If I have it, I use left-over a plastic mesh fruit bag from grocery store, apples sometimes come in these. Cut the ends off, place fruit on the mesh, and draw up and around. Tie the end with yarn and form a loop; hang to dry. Cheese cloth can do this, too.

  8. Step 8

    Step 8

    Once dry, tie a lovely ribbon around the fruit and place in cupboard or drawer. If placed in a drawer, make a little fabric bag so the powders don't rub off on your clothes. Originally, ladies tied them in a handkerchief, but not every one has a drawer full of those any more.

  9. Step 9

    Step 9

    Make several and fill a bowl for the holidays. Afterward you can place them in your cupboards. Great as a gift, too!

    Side note these don't really shrink when drying out the spices sort of mummified it. But it does get real light in weight when all done drying.

    P.S.

    The little hands you see are my five year old she was helping me with my tutorial.


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Courtney.

Courtney.

Mar 31, 2008 1:01pm

COOL!! Your on a roll! lol

Jasmin N.

Jasmin N.

Apr 2, 2008 8:12am

Oh!! i love these things, they remind me of English stories from like the Turdors age, when people smelt to bad to be dealt with. i wish i had the stuff to make it :(