Pine cones are cute and budget friendly.They can be hung on your Christmas tree or put in a glass bowl.You can either dip them in latex or spray them with spray-paint.While spray painting pine cones makes them look frosted, dipping them gives them a vivid, consistent color.
Step 1: You can choose between latex or acrylic paint for your project.
Both options work well.Water- and chemical-based paints are used.Acrylic is more expensive and only available at craft stores, but it lasts longer and comes in a wide range of colors.You can buy household latex paint at a hardware store.It is important to have a color of paint that you are excited about.pine cones can be painted white or jazzed up with any other color you want.
Step 2: Put the stir stick in a bucket or bowl.
You can stir latex paint in the bucket if it comes in a bucket.To stir the paint, squeeze it into a bowl.Stirring the paint makes sure that it is all the same color and consistency.
Step 3: The bamboo skewer needs to be twisted into the pine cone.
The skewer needs to be securely attached to the pine cone.The skewer is the handle for dipping the pine cone.
Step 4: The pine cone can be dunked in paint with a skewer.
You can get rid of excess paint by shaking the pine cone.You don't want paint spatters on the floor if you shake over your paint bucket or newspaper.
Step 5: Put the pine cone on wax paper to dry and remove the skewer.
You can use the skewer to dip the pine cone in the paint.Continue until you have dipped your pine cones in paint.
Step 6: The pine cones need to be dry on wax paper.
The waxy surface of the paper won't absorb as much paint as other surfaces, so the paint will stick to the pine cones.The scales tend to pull in on themselves when they are wet, but that is okay.You can open the pine cones in the oven if they close up.
Step 7: The pine cones should be on the baking sheet.
The pine cones open up.The foil protects the baking sheet from drips.Make sure there is enough room for them to expand as they open.
Step 8: The oven should be set to its lowest temperature and heat them for 30 minutes.
The center shelf of the oven has a baking sheet on it.You can check the pine cones every 30 minutes.This could take an hour.Remove them from the oven once they are open.Place the tray on a heat safe surface and let the pine cones cool.
Step 9: If you want, you can sprinkle glitter on your pine cones with school glue.
If you want to add some sparkle to your painted pine cones, glitter is a great tool.If you want to apply glitter, use a small paint brush to brush liquid school glue along the pine cone scales.Then apply the glitter.The glitter will fall off if you shake your pine cone.Silver glitter on pine cones can make them twinkle in the winter.
Step 10: There is an outdoor location for spray-painting.
Paint fumes are bad for you to breathe in.Make sure the room you are working in is well-ventilated if it is not possible to spray-paint outdoors.A well-ventilated garage is a great place to work.
Step 11: The floor or ground should be protected from spray paint with newspaper.
If you are a beginner, spray-painting can spatter a lot of paint around, so having something on the ground is important.If you don't have newspapers, cardboard or plastic, you can use a drop cloth.
Step 12: Shake the spray paint canister for 1 minute.
It will take a long time to shake it, but it will make sure that all the paint is ready to be sprayed.Some spray paint cans have instructions on how long to shake them.Follow the instructions if that's the case.
Step 13: If you want to see how far away you can hold it, test it on some scrap.
If you practice a few sprays, you will be able to spray a smooth, consistent oval of paint on your scrap material.You can determine how far away from the pine cone you want to hold your spray can by the thickness of the paint on it.Hold it closer for a smooth, fully-coated look.This is important if you have never used spray paint before.A scrap of plywood is a good surface for spraying.
Step 14: Apply spray paint to the cones.
One coat of spray paint is enough for a lightly frosted look.Give the pine cone a few coats to make it look better.
Step 15: The pine cones need to be dried before you can smell the paint.
Let the pine cones stand upright.The paint could be smudged if you test the dryness with your fingers.Sniff them instead.They are all dry when you can no longer smell the paint.
Step 16: If you want you can decorate your pine cones more.
You can decorate your pine cones after they are dry.The pine cones can be brushed with glue, painted with a paintbrush, or left as they are for a simple look.