How do you dry buckeyes for necklaces?

Answer 1

Ahhh good question! Buckeyes fresh from the nut shell or fresh off the tree will mold if not dried completely. I have use the oven...low setting 250 and let em sit on a rack for 4 hours. However, sun drying is the best. Lay buckeyes out on some type of cloth, single layer, in the sun for at least 5 to 7 days. (thats full sun days, not cloudy overcast days) Your biggest enemy at this time is squirrels. They can and will rob you blind if nuts are accessible. I tend to lay them out in the morning and gather them up and take in the house at night. A fresh buckeye will be somewhat "oily" to the look and feel. Some even sweat a bit. A good dried buckeye will not have that "oily" feel.

Once dried, you may want to spray them with a clear coat finish of some kind. This will prevent them from dulling and looking worn if makeing jewerly. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Husk the Buckeyes.

Lay them out on a screen not touching in a cool dry place and leave them alone.

You can use a fan to promote dryng.

Also a food dehyrdator would be faster.

I would not use an oven as that will cook the meats.