Pine cones are a great decorating resource because you can find them for free on the ground!
The only problem is, they’re always brown. So I thought, why not paint them?
You can easily customize pine cones with the paint color of your choice.
This post shows you how to paint pine cones … it’s so very easy!
Once your pine cones are painted and dried, pair them with other objects in a wooden bowl.
In no time you’ll have a pretty centerpiece or the makings of a simple vignette.
I used two different colors – turquoise and white.
I twisted the pointed end of a bamboo skewer into the bottom of the pine cone.
The paint mixture is 3 parts paint and 2 parts water. Simply dunk the pine cone into the paint.
Remove it and shake off as much excess paint off the pine cone as you can.
Set the pine cones out on waxed paper to dry overnight. The pine cones will probably close up.
Whenever they get wet they tend to close, but don’t fear! You can force them back open.
Set your oven to its lowest temperature and place pine cones on a baking sheet on the center shelf.
Check the pine cones about every 30 minutes and once they’ve opened, remove them from the oven.
I thought the white painted pine cones would look cute paired with Baby Boos.
I piled them all into my wooden dough bowl for a Fall centerpiece.
I threw in a few wine corks for good measure.
The Jenica Peak cork is from a bottle of Merlot, which is a very good red wine!
I love the creamy color of the Baby Boos paired with the white of the pine cones.
And that’s how to paint pine cones … simply dunk and dry!
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Michelle from Weekend Craft says
September 16, 2014 at 6:40 amWow these are absolutely stunning! Great job I may need to try these in the winter. Time to go foraging for pine cones!
Heather @ new house new home says
September 16, 2014 at 6:49 amGreat tip on getting them to open again! I’ve painted pine cones before and didn’t realize I could get them to open up again. Thanks for the tip.
Darrielle Tennenbaum says
September 16, 2014 at 8:24 amGreat idea and I love the tip! I think I might be trying this!
Joanne Boulter says
September 16, 2014 at 10:28 amI would never of thought of the skewer, clever! The pint cone garland is so darling. Thanx for the inspiration.
XX Jo, from Anne’s Attic – design blog http://fulcolbaxia.wordpress.com
Jeanine Okio B Designs says
September 16, 2014 at 11:02 amSuch a smart idea! Would work for Xmas too. It’s raining here today but tomorrow I’m going to look for some of my neighbor’s pine cones (they fall into our yard). =)
Jeanine
FABBY says
September 16, 2014 at 12:06 pmI love your dough bowl with the pretty pinecones. Thanks for sharing the how to.
Hugs,
FABBY
martina says
September 16, 2014 at 12:44 pmI love the way they look…love the way you filled your dough bowl too!
Sally says
September 17, 2014 at 7:15 amReally pretty Jennifer! And I love the big wooden bowl you’ve arranged everything in!
Sally
Emily says
October 23, 2014 at 9:53 pmGreat idea! What kind of paint did you use?
Carolina says
November 19, 2014 at 10:09 amPerfect and beautiful! What kind of paint did you use?.. And brand? Thank you!!
Karen coleman says
March 12, 2016 at 12:02 pmWhat kind of paint did you use. And wouldn’t that be kind of expensive with all the colors
Lynn says
May 31, 2015 at 10:29 amGreat idea! What kind of paint did you use? What brand? Thanks 🙂
Artfloozy says
April 30, 2016 at 10:24 pmI painted mine with acrylic paint with a brush took me 45 minutes to do one large one. Course there was no brown on it when I was done. They stayed open and the paint I used was those $.59 cents to $.89 cents Folk Art Michael’s Smart Paints Walmart is the .59 cent one. I had to do 33 of them for floral arrangements, I used two med size pine cones and then added a Feathered bird from the Dollar Store some green grass a silky butterfly some baby’s breath and a 3-4 inch piece of Ivy and then placed them in a pretty glass bowl. You can also add a 3-4 inch piece of Faux Ivy. I arranged all in a pretty glass bowl presented them to friends that have done me favors .
I made a card which said “Here’s a touch of Spring ” Just because I like you Used a Rubber stamp with one of Dina Wakelys
funny birds on it..I sure could have saved some time I used turquoise, Yellow, pink and Lavender to paint the cones.
maryjo says
May 28, 2016 at 6:07 pmWhat is the name brand of the paint?
Kathy says
August 6, 2016 at 2:34 pmWHAT KIND OF PAINT DID YOU USE……PLEASE????
Denise says
November 28, 2016 at 1:23 pmshe said acrylic, any brand, Michaels, Folk art, apple barrel, and acrylic comes in satin, matte, gloss, all colors. Easier to clean, because its water based
Sherry bosher says
December 22, 2016 at 8:47 amBeautiful,
Andrea A. Adams says
August 5, 2017 at 6:03 pmHi what type of paint should I use as I’m new to using pine cones. Recently moved house out of the city & have a pine tree in my garden & 2 more right beside my house
wendy says
September 26, 2017 at 7:49 pmI would just use acrylic paints. Easiest to water down if you choose. Plus so many colors to choose from and mix if you want
pictaram says
October 15, 2017 at 11:47 pmThank you for sharing the tutorial! I saw friends in comment section recommended acrylic paint, gonna give it a try.
Deb says
November 11, 2017 at 7:28 amU can also sprinkle a little glitter on them while the paint is wet an voila ……they sparkle!!!!. I loved the post about arranging them in glass bowls for a gift. Get them at estate sales for pennies add greenery that I get at Christmas tree lots free and a few red berries (pepper berry works great) beautiful arrangement for a hostess gift,
shirley glodjo says
November 13, 2018 at 3:18 pmwhy can’t you just spray paint them?
Eileen Broeder says
January 5, 2019 at 4:47 pml like spray paint, it is a lot easier, but the acrylic paints come in so many pretty colors.
Debbie says
July 30, 2019 at 6:10 pmDid you have to wash or brush clean first? Thanks, Debbie.
Mary says
August 1, 2019 at 10:12 pmI used ModPodge Extreme glitter over painted colors and the glitter is beautiful and does not come off!