20+ Creative Pine Cone Crafts: {Free Project Ideas}

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Consider gathering pine cones in the Fall when they’re free for the picking since there are so many lovely things you can make with them. Here are over 20 different project ideas for some inspiration. I also moved the firestarters tutorial to the bottom of this page (for better organization), it includes a list of ingredients that will produce different colors of flames. For cleaning them so they’re good for crafting, see this page. Enjoy!

crazydomestic.com

Topiary: Project made with a 6″ styrofoam ball, pine cones, hot glue and white spray paint.

Book Page Wreath: Made with pine cones and fir cones, book pages, foam board, spray paint, glue, glitter and burlap or ribbon.

myblessedlife.net

crafter-bayberrycreek.blogspot.com

Decorative Balls: The scales are snipped off of a handful of pine cones then glued onto a styrofoam ball.

Bouquet Centerpiece: Wooden skewers are inserted into the bottom of pine cones (holes drilled first) then arranged with assorted crafty bits.

womansday.com

twigandthistle.com

Garland: Screw hooks are inserted into the tops of pine cones then attached to a strand of pretty ribbon.

Pretty Wall Hanging: Strips of ribbon are glued to pine cones which are then tied together and displayed in a frame.

fourflightsoffancy.blogspot.com

craftysisters-nc.blogspot.com

Glittery Wreath: Decorated with silver craft paint, pine cones are strung onto a piece of wire coat hanger and shaped as desired (or use a wire wreath form).

Pine Cone Wreath: A styrofoam wreath is spray painted (brown) then your stash of pine cones are glued on top and sides of form.

vanessachristenson.com

themagiconions.blogspot.com

Wax Covered: Make a lovely decoration by attaching eye screws to pine cones then dipping them in melted crayons.

DIY Decoration: Easy project, simply fill a glass bowl or vase with a string of lights, pine cones and pine.

stylizimo.com

mrs-adventure.com

Crafty Fire Starters: Melted, scented wax is poured into cupcake liners then candle wick wrapped pine cones inserted. Remove from liners once dry.

Holiday Ornaments: Learn how to make glittered pine cones, an angel, drop ornaments and a garland.

marthastewart.com

bhg.com

Garland Centerpiece: Decorate with a bit of gold paint and glitter then attach to hemp rope using gold-tone wire. Add bows of ribbon and drape across table.

Snow Cones: Plain white acrylic paint and a small foam brush are all that’s needed to make this snowy centerpiece.

sunset.com

marthastewart.com

Hurricane Vase Project: Pine cone scales are used to make flowers which are attached to decorative ribbon then wrapped around a hurricane vase.

Candle Holder: Simple project gluing pine cones to a cardboard sleeve that’s been wrapped around a candle base.

stylizimo.com

gardenmama.typepad.com

Decorative Votives: Embellish votives with a small piece of pine, raffia and a pine cone for a wintery display.

Crafty Photo Holder: Made with twigs, acorns, a large pine cone, corrugated cardboard (for the base) and glue.

familyfun.go.com

marthastewart.com

Bleached Pinecones Basket: The pinecones are left to soak in a bleach and water mixture then set out to dry on paper towels.

Tabletop Wreath: Gold jingle bells and petite pinecones are hot-glued in sections to a moss-covered plastic-foam form.

bhg.com

kiddley.com

Crafty Hedgehog: Cute little critters made with polymer clay, pine cones, beads (for eyes), powder blush and glue.

Pier 1 Knock Off: Chicken wire is shaped into a pumpkin, filled then decorated with basket reeds or bendable branches, jute and a silk fall leaf.

dreaming-n-color.blogspot.ca

factorydirectcraft.com

Paint Dipped: Floral wire is twisted around the top for easy dipping.

How To Make Firestarters

*First published November 1, 2006 (moved here for better organization)

Pine cone flames or firestarters are burned in fireplaces to make colored flames. Many recipes or instructions include a dipped wax method but this is the easiest preparation method I’ve found.

Careful: Do not mix chemicals together when preparing. Also some advise not to mix colors when burning.

Materials Needed:

1 1/2 Gallons Hot Water
1/2 Pound Copper Sulfate (green flame)
1/2 Pound Boric Acid (red flame)
1/2 Pound Calcium Chloride (orange flame)
3 Plastic Containers
Bushel of Pine Cones

Directions:

• Wear rubber gloves when preparing these. Also cover tables and counters well–this stuff can stain.
• Pour 1/2 gallon of water into each plastic container
• Add one chemical to each container (one container for green, one container for red, one container for orange)
• Mix well until all the chemicals are thoroughly dissolved
• Take your pine cones and divide into three batches
• Put one batch into each container. Totally immerse the cones into the liquid and soak them for 24 hours.
• Remove the pine cones and let them dry in the sun or set aside somewhere warm and dry. Don’t burn for at least three days.

More Color Ideas

• Alum (thallium): Bright Green Flame
• Salt Substitute (potassium): Violet Flame
• Epsom Salts (magnesium sulphate): White Flame
• Table Salt: Yellow Flame
• Borax (sodium tetraborate): Yellow/Green Flame

Tips

• Burn the firestarters one at a time and make sure the cone is completely burned away before adding another.
• Make sure to completely dry the pine cones before using otherwise they won’t burn.
• Keep these out of reach of pets and children.