DIY // easy pinecone wreath

I officially bullied my way into doing a tutorial in Madison County Magazine! I so wish emojis would show up on here because I'd definitely use the smirky side grin face right now :) 

If you haven't already, go find yourself a copy of the magazine somewhere in Madison! 

Of course, when I actually made the wreath I recorded it and took pictures along the way. So! You benefit from this new endeavor of mine! If you follow me on instagram you most likely saw my stories leading up to this. I hope you enjoy the final tutorial! ​

WHAT YOU NEED:

• around 45 to 50 pine cones. I picked mine up from the yard, you could purchase them from a craft store.
• vinegar (optional pinecone prep)
• hot glue gun 
• hot glue sticks. I used Gorilla Glue indoor/outdoor glue sticks for durability. 
• wreath form. I used a 12 inch wreath form that I found from the Dollar Tree. 
• battery operated lights
• greenery. I grabbed some off a pine tree when collecting my pinecones. Yes, it will eventually turn brown. If you plan to use your wreath all season long, I suggest getting fake foliage from a craft store. I used my wreath for party decor, so the live greenery worked fine.  

WHAT TO DO: 

the cone prep: 

Once you've collected your pinecones, you will realize that there are many creatures living within them. Even though it sounds like a lot of work, it's well worth it to clean and bake your pinecones. 

1. Soak your cones in a mixture of water and vinegar. I poured about 2 cups in a full kitchen sink. Swish them around and then let them soak for about 15 minutes. They'll close up tight. 
2. Let drain thoroughly. 
3. Bake pinecones on 300° for an hour or so. Your house will smell like a forrest. It's not a bad thing. The pinecones should open up some as they bake. 
4. Remove them from the oven and separate into three groups: small, medium and large. This will help you in the long-run. 
5. Let them sit overnight before doing your project. This will give the pinecones enough time to fully open. 

the wreath: 

1. Start with the medium pinecones. Yes, medium. 
2. Put two small dots of hot glue on the inner two rings of the wreath form. 
3. Quickly place medium pinecone on hot glue. 
4. Continue all the way around to form a full circle. 
5. Now use the largest cones and repeat on the outside two rings. 
6. Use the smallest cones to fill in the gaps between the rows. 
7. Add hot glue directly to smallest cones and here and there where needed to secure cones.
8. Optional next steps are to add greenery and lights. I tucked mine between the cones.

​There you have it! It's so easy! And look-- I did it in less than two minutes: 

Start with the medium pinecones. Yes, medium. Put two small dots of hot glue on the inner two rings of the wreath form. Quickly place medium pinecone on hot glue.

Continue all the way around to form a full circle. Now use the largest cones and repeat on the outside two rings.

Use the smallest cones to fill in the gaps between the rows.

Add hot glue directly to smallest cones and here and there where needed to secure cones.

Optional next steps are to add greenery and lights. I tucked mine between the cones.

Happy crafting!

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