Dried Orange Peel Mushroom Ornaments with Twigs and Moss

These orange peel mushroom decorations are sweet little hanging ornaments made from real orange skins and tiny twigs. They look like mini mushrooms growing on a tree and bring a cozy, natural feel to your home. They are perfect for a Christmas tree, a nature themed room, or as a simple decoration hanging on branches in a vase. They are not only pretty to look at, they also smell lovely and fresh.

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To make them, orange peels are cut into circles, gently shaped into little cups, and dried until they hold a mushroom shape. A small piece of wire is added so they can hang, and a twig becomes the stem. A bit of soft green moss at the bottom makes them look like they were picked straight from the forest. You can make them small and delicate, or use bigger pieces of peel for larger mushrooms. They are simple, natural decorations that feel special every time you look at them.

Credit Lucy’s Studio – Make With Me

Materials & Tools Needed

1. Large orange(s)
2. Round cookie cutter (preferably small)
3. Lemon squeezer (or any tool with a rounded surface)
4. Radiator, oven, or air fryer (for drying)
5. Twigs (collected from your garden or outdoors)
6. Jewelry wire (pre-made earring wires work well)
7. Wire pliers
8. Hot glue gun and glue sticks
9. Reindeer moss (or similar decorative moss)
10. Optional: Cinnamon sticks (as alternative to twigs)

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Orange and Cut the Peel

1. Start with a large orange. Peel off any labels and wash it well.
2. Cut the orange into four equal slices.
3. Carefully peel off the orange skin, ensuring you remove it in as large pieces as possible. The peel is the material you’ll use for the mushroom caps.

Step 2: Cut Out the Mushroom Caps

1. Use a small round cookie cutter that fits nicely on the orange peel.
   • Press the cookie cutter into the orange peel to cut out circular shapes.
   • From each orange slice, you should be able to make four mushroom caps.
2. If there’s a little thickness or moisture around the edges of the orange peel, trim it off to help it dry properly.

Step 3: Shape the Mushroom Caps

1. Use a lemon squeezer or any tool with a rounded edge to mold the orange peel into a dome or “cap” shape.
   • Place the cut-out orange peel over the rounded part of the tool.
   • Press and roll it around firmly, applying even pressure until the peel takes on a curved, mushroom-cap-like shape.

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Step 4: Dry the Mushroom Caps

1. There are multiple options to dry the mushroom caps:
   • Radiator: Place them on a radiator with your heating on.
   • Oven: Set your oven to a very low temperature (around 100°C or 212°F) and dry for about 20 minutes.
   • Air Fryer: Use a low temperature (around 80°C or 176°F) and dry for 8–10 minutes. Be sure to monitor to prevent burning.
2. The dried caps should harden and hold their curved shape.

Step 5: Attach the Stems

1. Collect small twigs from your garden or outdoors that are proportionate to the size of your mushroom caps.
2. Create a “loop” in the top of each mushroom cap for hanging:
   • Take jewelry wire (pre-made earring wires are ideal) and push one end through the top of the orange cap.
   • Bend the looped end of the wire flat against the orange cap to prevent it from slipping back through.
3. Use a hot glue gun to attach the twig to the cap:
   • Add a small amount of hot glue to the underside of the cap.
   • Press the twig firmly into the glue and hold it in place until it sets.

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Step 6: Create Hooks for Hanging

1. Use your pliers to make hooks with the jewelry wire:
   • At the top of the wire loop, twist the wire into a small, closed loop to secure the sharp edge.
   • Further down, use the pliers to bend the wire into a larger hook shape for hanging.

Step 7: Embellish the Mushrooms

1. Decorate the base of the mushroom caps with reindeer moss or craft lichen:
   • Apply a small amount of hot glue around the base of the mushroom cap.
   • Gently press the moss into the glue, wrapping it around the stem for a natural look.
2. Be cautious with the hot glue as it can burn your fingers.

Step 8: Finishing Touches

1. Allow the glue to fully set.
2. Once complete, use the hooks to hang the mushrooms on your Christmas tree or wherever you’d like to display them.
3. Optional: If using cinnamon sticks instead of twigs for the stem, this will enhance the festive aroma and symbolism of your decorations.

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Video Tutorial