By
Chelsea Foy is a DIY expert, writer, author, and the founder of Lovely Indeed, a popular DIY and lifestyle website featured in notable online outlets, such as HGTV andMartha Stewart, She has over a decade of experience with hands-on crafting. Chelsea is also the author of two e-books on crafting and she has instructed DIY workshops across the country.
Learn more about The Spruce Crafts'Editorial Process
Updated on 11/17/19
Pine cones are a perfect holiday crafting material. They’re plentiful, they’re versatile, and you can forage them for free. These glitter pine cone ornaments are a great example of a fun way to turn a simple pine cone into a lovely piece of holiday décor, using just a handful of materials.
This project is simple enough to try with your children, and the finished result is pretty enough to hang on a tree, set on a mantle, or even give as a gift. Choose your favorite shades of glitter to personalize these, so that they look right at home on your tree. Now head out and find some pine cones and let’s get crafting!
Gather Your Materials
Think about the design of your pine cones and what color palette you might like to try. You can use the following technique to create a single-color design or to incorporate multiple colors onto one pinecone. If the pine cone ornaments will be for your own tree, consider the color palette of your existing holiday décor while you’re choosing shades of glitter.
- Pine cones
- White glue or Mod Podge
- Ornament hooks or ribbon
- Glitter
- Bowl
- Foam paintbrush
Clean Your Cones
If you have foraged your own pine cones, you’ll want to clean them up a bit. Start by wiping off any major debris with a wet cloth.
Once they are wiped clean, place the pine cones on a baking sheet and bake them for one hour at 200 F. This will drive out any bugs that may be inside, and also open the tips of the cone a bit further. Be sure to remain nearby while baking your pine cones; sap is somewhat flammable and you want to ensure that no pine cones catch fire, although that is unlikely.
Apply Glue
Using a small foam brush, dip the tip into your glue. A craft glue like Mod Podge or a simple white school glue both work equally well. Press the tip of the brush onto each tip of the pine cone, reloading your brush with glue as needed. Work until each tip is covered with enough glue to catch and hold the glitter in place.
Sprinkle Glitter
Place the glued pine cone in a bowl to catch any excess glitter. Sprinkle your glitter over the glued portions of the pine cone, tilting it in all directions until all of the glue is covered by glitter.
Once covered, lift the pine cone and tip it upside-down over the bowl to shake off all the excess glitter. Place the pine cone aside in a safe place and leave overnight for the glue to fully cure. Repeat the process for all of your pine cones.
Add the Hook
Use an ornament hook and wrap one end of the wire around one of the upper tips of the pine cone. Pinch the ends together around the tip to make sure the hook is secure.
Alternatively, cut a length of ribbon to use as a hanger. Wrap it around the upper levels of the tips on your pine cone and leave enough length on either end to tie a bow so that you can hang it on a tree.
Hang the Pine Cones
Hang the pine cone on a tree, a doorknob, or string a few together to make a beautiful, sparkly garland. These would make great annual holiday gifts for friends and family as well!
I'm Chelsea Foy, a seasoned DIY expert with over a decade of hands-on crafting experience. As the founder of Lovely Indeed, a prominent DIY and lifestyle website, my expertise has been recognized by major online outlets, including HGTV and Martha Stewart. I've authored two e-books on crafting and conducted DIY workshops nationwide, showcasing my in-depth knowledge and passion for creative projects.
Now, let's delve into the concepts used in the provided article about DIY Christmas crafts:
-
DIY Projects and Christmas Crafts:
- DIY stands for "Do It Yourself," emphasizing a hands-on, creative approach to crafting.
- Christmas crafts refer to art and decorative projects specifically designed for the holiday season.
-
Chelsea Foy:
- Chelsea Foy is introduced as a DIY expert, writer, author, and the founder of Lovely Indeed.
- Notable achievements include features on HGTV and Martha Stewart, showcasing a recognized authority in the DIY and crafting space.
- Over a decade of experience in hands-on crafting and the authorship of two e-books on crafting.
-
Pine Cones as Crafting Material:
- Pine cones are highlighted as a perfect material for holiday crafting due to their abundance, versatility, and availability for foraging.
-
Glitter Pine Cone Ornaments:
- The main DIY project involves transforming simple pine cones into glittery ornaments for holiday décor.
-
Materials Needed:
- Pine cones
- White glue or Mod Podge
- Ornament hooks or ribbon
- Glitter
- Bowl
- Foam paintbrush
-
Cleaning and Preparing Pine Cones:
- Instructions on cleaning foraged pine cones, including wiping off debris and baking them at a low temperature to eliminate bugs and open the cone tips.
-
Applying Glue and Glitter:
- The process involves using a foam brush to apply glue to each tip of the pine cone, followed by sprinkling glitter to create a festive design.
- Choice of glue includes Mod Podge or white school glue.
-
Curing Process:
- After glitter application, the pine cones are set aside in a safe place overnight to allow the glue to fully cure.
-
Adding Hooks:
- Options for hanging ornaments include using ornament hooks or ribbon, emphasizing creativity in design.
- The practical steps involve wrapping wire or ribbon around the upper tips of the pine cone.
-
Final Display:
- Suggestions for hanging the glitter pine cones on a tree, doorknob, or stringing them together to create a sparkly garland.
- The potential use of these DIY ornaments as annual holiday gifts for friends and family is highlighted.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive guide to creating glitter pine cone ornaments, incorporating expert advice from Chelsea Foy and emphasizing the joy of personalized, festive DIY projects for the holiday season.