Skeleton leaves are delicate, ornate, dried leaves used in a variety of arts and crafts projects. You can purchase all kinds of artificial skeleton leaves in craft stores, but making your own is cheaper and also you have the flexibility of using any kind of leaf you like.
What you will need:
- Washing soda (not baking soda! Very important!)
- Leaves (Waxy leaves work best like Gardenia, Magnolia, Hydrangea, etc.)
- Gloves (protect your hands because of Washing soda is a strong base)
- Water
- Small blunt brush
- Paper towel
- Food coloring
Instructions:
- Collect your favorite leaves and place them to the side.
- Fill a small sauce pan with 2 cups of water and 3 tablespoons of washing soda.
- Stir to combine.
- Bring the water to a boil, then remove the pan from the heat source.
- Place the leaves in the washing soda solution and allow them to steep for approximately 20 minutes.
- Remove the leaves
- use a paintbrush or a toothbrush to gently remove the leaf pulp. Take care not to tear the actual skeleton – this process is painstaking and takes a gentle hand.
- Once the pulp is removed, set the skeleton aside to dry.
- If you want a pure, white leaf skeleton, place it in a solution of bleach and water. Allow it to sit until all traces of green are gone, then dry
- Paint to the color you like
Photo credit from VK
