Who doesn’t like saving money? Why pay craft store prices for pine cones when you have a bundle of them lying in your back yard? Especially for Fall and Winter, adding pine cones is a great way to add texture and interest to your table arrangements, wreaths or other handmade crafts. With just a few simple steps, you can have your pine cones ready to use. Here you will learn how to prepare pine cones for crafts.
Step One
After gathering your pine cones (I like to collect a variety of shapes and sizes if I can), brush with hands and shake off excess debris. Place in a sink full of water and swish around to remove remaining dirt, needles, etc. Add 1 cup white vinegar to water and soak approximately 30 minutes. Rinse and place in a single layer on an old baking sheet (Mine are a little too crowded on the pan below). I like to line my pan with foil for easy clean up.
Step Two
Bake the pine cones at 250F for about 1-2 hours, depending the size and how much sap they have. Check them and turn over about every 30 minutes or so to avoid over heating or burning. Watch as they go through their stages… You will see the pine cone petals close, then they will open back up when they are ready!
***Do be aware… Once you start baking the pine cones, your home will smell like a Christmas tree! You may want to consider this if you are having guests or someone in your home is sensitive to scents.
Step Three
Lay the baked and opened pine cones aside to cool. I like to take off the pan and place on a new sheet of foil. I also turn them over periodically. While cooling, they can stick to the foil if sap drys beneath them.
Once cooled and dry, you can enjoy the prepared pine cones in whatever project you want to design! Just placing a bowl full of pine cones on your table or a bathroom sink can add a nice touch to your home decor!
Check out this arrangement I made using pine cones out of our yard!
***Side note, this is a fun project to do with your children or grandchildren! Have them help collect them out of the yard or the local park. Challenge them to find different shapes and sizes. I did this with a granddaughter one afternoon. She was so proud to pick which ones to put in our table arrangement!
I hope you enjoyed this and you have been inspired to create something beautiful with pine cones you’ve cured on your own! If so, please don’t be afraid to share your finished project with us!
Let me know if you prep your own pine cones! Do you have any tips for using pine cones I haven’t mentioned?
Like crafting projects like this? You may also want to read this post to see where I buy a lot of my wreath making supplies. Also, if you have any crafty friends, please share this post with them! And if you want this post for ready reference, save it to your Pinterest page!
Thank you so much!!
Till next time,
Teri
If you like this and want to learn more about wreath making, join us in our exclusive wreath making group, Teri’s Wreath Works! You can find more information and sign up here!!