Pine Cone Crafting
Autumn brings many natural gifts. Among them is the humble pine cone. Whether they’re dropping by the bushel in your neighborhood or stacked in bins at your local craft store, these natural treasures are everywhere, waiting to be upcycled into works of art.
With their intricate spirals and rugged textures, pine cones are a canvas with endless creative potential.
The Basics of Pine Cone Crafting
Prep Your Pine Cone
Keep little critters from hitching a ride into your home by roasting your pine cone in the oven at a low temp (200 F for 30 minutes). Pine cones open their woody scales as they warm, so keep an eye out and turn them to prevent burning.
Dip It in Paint
Wrap floral wire around the widest section of the pine cone, threading through the scales. Dip the sides of the pine cone into a container of household latex or acrylic paint until you reach your desired coverage, then hang it over some newspaper to dry. For a rustic, softer look with natural variation, use whitewash paint (white paint diluted with water).
Just Add Sparkle
Sprinkle glitter on freshly painted pine cones, or wait until the paint dries, coat with school glue, and dust with glitter. Once dried, shake off excess glitter over a trash can.
What to Do With Painted Pine Cones
Pine cones can add a touch of autumn to every corner of your home. Start by welcoming guests with a cheery bowl of painted pine cones on the entryway table. Then, invite them to gather around the dining table with a cozy tablescape of mini gourds, pine cones, and sprigs of colored foliage. Up to your ears in pine cones? String them into a pine cone garland to drape across your fireplace mantle, or arrange them into a stunning front door wreath.
Unique Pine Cone Crafts
A blank canvas can be intimidating, even if it’s a conifer cone. Here are some ideas to get your creative juices flowing.
Pine Cone Fire Starters
And here you thought your fireplace couldn’t get any cozier! If you’ve ever made candles on the stovetop, the process of making pine cone fire starters will be familiar to you. You can use essential oils, dried herbs, and cinnamon sticks to infuse them with a cozy aroma. They’re wonderful holiday gifts!
Use the tutorial from Something Turquoise.
Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Did you know over 98% of migratory bird species in North America have been recorded in Texas? Catch the fall migration through your yard using a 100% natural pine cone bird feeder. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends sunflower seeds, hempseed, millet, and cracked corn.
Learn how to make your own courtesy of Audubon Southwest.
Pine Cone Turkeys
This Thanksgiving craft is so cute you’ll want to gobble it up! (Don’t, please — it’s not edible!) With a bit of paint, felt, pompoms, and googly eyes, you can transform pine cones into adorable turkeys. And why stop at turkeys? Try pine cone bears and owls — or even a longhorn or armadillo for a complete menagerie of Texas critters!
Find instructions on The Country Chic Cottage.
Pine Cone Zinnias
Finally, a pine cone craft you can display year-round! Pine cones and zinnias both express Fibonacci sequences in their patterning. As such, when you turn a pine cone upside down and paint it a cheerful pastel color, it looks remarkably like a zinnia flower. For a Texas twist, go with blue and white spots on top for pine cone bluebonnets!
Learn how to make a bouquet via A Fanciful Twist.
Still got the crafting bug? Try your hand at these 12 fall crafts for a cozy home.
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