How to Prepare Pinecones for Crafting

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By psychonurse
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Prepare Pinecones for Crafting

One of the most inexpensive and fun areas of winter crafting, necessitates the use of pine cones. I not only consider them a gift of nature, I find that tripping through the woods, collecting them provides a healthy, happy adventure with the kids. But, before you should use them, there is preparation necessary.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

An adventurous spirit
pine cones from any conifer
a love of nature
work gloves,long sleeved shirt, long pants and boots, to protect from insects bites, especially ticks
a large trash bag
a knowledge of the appearance of plants to avoid, such as poison ivy, sumac, etc.

Step 1

Find a woodsy area nearby, and ask the owner if it 's ok for you to collect cones. This is a good time of year, as they are falling and fresh--and no hunters should be in the woods. Carry a cell phone, just in case you or someone else sprains an ankle or you wander in too deeply and get lost.
Step 2

Bring your collection home, and because allergies and tiny bugs may live within the cone, I soak them in a mild disinfectant, with NO odor, such as bleach safe wash detergent. Rinse and dry them with old towels, and leave them in a sunny area, on an old rack to dry.
Step 3

When thoroughly dry, place them on tin-foiled cookie sheets in the oven. The cones should "bake" in the 220 degree oven for about a half hour. this will harden them and open the petals. Opening the petals is important if you are using the cones to make fire starters, or spray painting or poly-urethaning them them for winter wreaths or bouquets.