How to Make a Large Pinecone Wreath

Give a wreath as a gift.

A large pinecone wreath can transform a standard winter holiday into a memorable event. Wreath making also presents a creative challenge to pre-teens and the visual artist in your family. Employ real cones for a natural pine smell. Take your time to clean and remove the resin from each cone before using them for craft-making purposes. Hang your wreath proudly on a living room wall or front door once the craft is completed.

Things You'll Need

• Work gloves
• Safety glasses
• Wire hanger
• Wire snips
• Needle nose pliers
• Solder gun
• Solder wire
• Damp sponge
• Pine cones
• Cookie sheet
• Tin foil
• 4-gauge craft wire
• Clear aerosol lacquer finish
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brush
• Glitter
• Felt bow

Instructions

1. Slide on a pair of work gloves and safety glasses to protect your eyes and skin.

2. Unfold a wire hanger. Cut the curved ends from the hanger with a pair of wire snips. Form the hanger into a circle with needle nose pliers.

3. Pre-heat a solder gun. Rub solder wire on the warm gun tip. Wipe the tip clean with a damp sponge.

4. Touch the solder wire to the connection point between the two hanger ends. Touch the hot gun tip to the solder wire to secure the bond. Turn off the solder gun and remove the safety equipment.

5. Fill a bath tub 3-inches-deep with water. Soak the pine cones in the water for 10 minutes. Move the cones back and forth by hand to remove any dirt or bugs. Drain the water.

6. Pre-heat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a cookie sheet with tin foil. Bake the pine cones for 30 minutes to eliminate any natural resin. Allow the cones to sit and air dry for 24 hours.

7. Attach each pine cone stem to the wreath base -- the wire hanger circle -- using 4-gauge craft wire and pliers. Coat the finished wreath with clear aerosol lacquer finish. Allow the wreath to dry for 12 hours.

8. Shade the cones with acrylic paint or glitter. Allow two additional hours for the wreath to dry. Attach a felt bow to the base of the wreath before hanging.

References

• Aaron Cake: How to Solder
• Comfy Country Creations: Making a Pine Cone Wreath