My favorite time of year is approaching. And I am usually kicking it off with a seasonal wreath I make for my mom. I’ve been doing this probably close to 20 years now. In the early days it was just decorating a wreath of fir branches, which I usually made myself. But that gotten boring fast. So I ventured into using different materials and trying to come up with creative new ideas. This year it is a pine cone scale wreath.
I’ve been using single needles in my wreath but never pine cones. And since I didn’t have that many at hand I figured I am just using the separate scales of a pine cone.
As always the instructions are rather simple. But what might seem simple for me may be overwhelming for someone. So here is the little tutorial.
Materials for a Pine Cone Scale Wreath
- wreath form – as always I recommend a straw one over a styrofoam one
- some pine cones – make sure they are dried and have been out of the woods for a while or you’ll be carrying critters to your work station
- always and forever needing a glue gun
- pliers, garden scissors or muscle
- decor of your liking
Instruction for assembling the Pine Cone Scale Wreath
Step 1: You need to prepare the scales. For that you need to cut or clip them off the cone. Scissors are not working too well as they are usually mot sharp enough and you can’t always get the angle to cut. I often times used my hands and ripped it out but it is harder work and it will show on your hand. So I would recommend getting some garden scissors – which I didn’t have at hand. You can dump all scales in a bowl or spread them out a bit so they can dry. It doesn’t matter if some scales are a bit longer and others are shorter. That actually works in your favor.
Step 2: Grab your trusted glue gun and start working by gluing the scales to the form. As always I would recommend starting from the top and work your way down to the inner and outer edge. This was the result is more even and the part which the eyes see first is most regular.
Step 3: Now it is time to decorate. You can do all kinds of things. Adding other natural objects like dried fruits and seed capsules. Or you add some colorful little Christmas ornament, bows or bells. Endless possibilities.
More wreath ideas from previous years
I am curious: Have you made a wreath yourself? Do you have a new one every year or do you get out the one from storage? Would you attempt this pine cone scale wreath? Did you find a favorite in the collection of previous years? What material should I use next year?
12 comments
Oh my goodness! That is amazing. I am always blown away by crafty people, because I am just…NOT. I’m sure if I tried mine would look like a bunch of glue with a couple of scales stuck in. I really like the pictures you have of past wreaths, too, they are beautiful. I’m sure your mom looks forward to this every year. Does she keep them? Does she have room to keep them?
I buy my wreaths from the Boy Scouts every year, and hang it on my front door. I had a fake one for a few years, but I prefer the real deal.
She does look forward to getting her annual wreath. It’s always a surprise to her what I came up with.
Well, keeping them all becomes a challenge. Some will be thrown out right after but most we have kept at least for a couple of years. Sometimes they rotate back to me. Some I have gifted. I am thinking about selling some on Craigslist. Eva use we can’t store them all. But they are used so I am not sure if someone would be interested. Maybe I I try.
I love that you are getting yours from Boy Scouts. Do they make them?
This is GORGEOUS!!!! I am not crafty at all, but this is making me strongly consider making a wreath. So pretty!
Ah thank you. Give it a try. Maybe just buy a form and start with decorating yourself.
I’m not in a place this year to be looking for new crafts to do- just mostly trying to hang in there and keep up with life, at the moment, with new puppy and other things going on- but this is super cool! (Also, I’m really not crafty….unfortunately.)
Well just looking at crafts maybe an option this year then.
I am sure you are also crafty in your own ways.
So beautiful and I also like the Froebel stars ❤️ I think my favorite is still the one with the acorns.
I loved that acorn one too. Looks more modern and more friendly.
And nothing is better than Fröbelsterne ☺️
Wow that looks really, really cool. Simple, but elegant!
Thank you San. It looks simple. It did take longer than expected though.
This is BEAUTIFUL! I’m going to be honest though- I wish I had enough patience to cut the scales off pine cones, and then glue them to the wreath- but I fear I don’t. It looks time consuming! About how long did this take you to make? I do have pine cones already in my house, so I could theoretically do this.
I’d say probably 4 hours. Maybe a bit more. I underestimated the cutting of the pine cone or rather not cutting as I only used my hands which wasn’t the smartest idea. I did. listen to an audiobook while doing it so it was ok.