Fall Decoration With Locust Seed Pods

Autumn is the time for decorating the house with bits of nature that we bring indoors.   I like Buckeye seeds and locust seed pods because of their color.  Locust pods are nice additions as they serve to provide a warm background to other, more flamboyant, decorations.  An easy step will bring out the color and give them a shine.  

Dry, brown locust seed pods can be found in the Autumn in parks, along streets, or in the woods.  Ask permission but I can't imaging anyone hoarding them and refusing you a few.  

To prepare the pods you will need:
newspaper or corrugated to protect your work surface 
clear floor wax
waxed paper or 1/2" hardware cloth or other screening
a loaf pan
a plastic bag
4 clothes pins
a small paint brush (optional)

Lay out the newspapers or corrugated to protect your work surface.  Lay the plastic bag flat and then position it over the loaf pan.  Make a depression in the middle to form a trough.  Clip the pins to the pan at the corners so the bag is held securely.  Pour about 1/4 cup, or less, of the liquid floor wax into the trough.  

Place the pods, one at a time, in the wax and use your fingers or a small brush to coat the pod with wax.  

Set the wet pods aside on either waxed paper or on the slightly elevated screen or hardware cloth.  Make sure there is a good pad of paper under the wet pods to absorb any wax that might drip.   

Let dry overnight.

The wax brings out the deep auburn color of the pods.   Use a few of them as a background for small pumpkins, gourds or squash.  Use some decorative grasses or weeds to bring the beauty of the season indoors.