Faux Caramel Apples!

I saw these last year, but never got around to making them.  Then, a few weeks ago, I was going through Google Reader and spotted this tutorial.  I ran to the store, picked up some styrofoam apples (Walmart had nice ones for only $1).

I changed up the tutorial that I found since I didn't want to buy a massive amount of popsicle sticks or a huge bag of corn cob litter.  Instead, for the handle of the caramel apple, I used sticks that I found outside.  For the nuts, I used pieces of cork that I found at Michaels a while back.  The pieces came in a little bag, and I thought it would look just as nice as the corn cob litter.

To make the apples was super easy.  First, I put a stick in each of the apples.  Then, I mixed together some mod podge and caramel-colored paint.  After I got the right color, I poured the paint on top of the apples.  Once all the apples were covered with paint, I sprinkled the cork pieces to the wet glue/paint.  I set aside the apples overnight to dry and then sprayed them with glossy finish.  

I am quite pleased with how they turned out and they look so real!  I posted some in my etsy shop and will definitely need to make some more for myself!