20+ Creative Pine Cone Crafts: {Free Project Ideas}
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
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
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
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
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
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
Holiday Ornaments: Learn how to make glittered pine cones, an angel, drop ornaments and a garland.

marthastewart.com

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

stylizimo.com

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

familyfun.go.com

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

bhg.com

kiddley.com
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
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.
Thanks for the feature of my pier 1 knock-off wire pumpkin!
We did pine cone dipping in paint last week with children. Problem was that wide open cones were used and after dipping and drying the cones all closed up again tight. Is there any way we can encourage them to open up again ? Thanks
Try the microwave
I have lots of pine cones ranging from tiny to huge. Thanks so much for the ideas.
I spray painted several with silver and with gold paint, then used glitter glue to make them look like Christmas trees with ornaments hanging on them. They’re really cute.
how many pinecones are needed for the color to show in the flames and how long can the treated pinecones be stored w/o losing the effect?