Pine and pine cones are a popular craft material in autumn and winter. You can make countless things out of it:Candle holder,Advent wreath,Christmas decorationsand much more. Are you in the mood for winter magic? These snow-covered pine cones will instantly transport you to an enchanted snow wonderland! The white cones are SO easy to make, not to mention they are really beautiful and practically free! We'll show you the 3 easiest and most proven methods for decorating pine cones with snow and tell you which method you should use for what.
Make your own pine cones with a snow effect
These pine cone craft ideas are suitable for the whole family. And collecting pine cones is fun for young and old alike! These frosty, snow-covered pine cones and branches can then be used in a variety of Christmas and winter decorations. Just because the Christmas season and New Year's Eve are over doesn't mean you can't continue decorating your home beautifully. The pine cones with a snow effect are also forthe January decorationideal.
Method 1: Make your own snowy pine cones and branches with salt or Epsom salt
The first method for making snowy pine cones is quick and fun. The finished pine cone decoration is ideal for indoors or outdoors, but only if it is protected from rain.
Materials you need:
You can use Epsom salt, regular salt, or kosher salt to make this cone decoration. You'll also need a flat brush and a craft glue that dries clear, like Pritt or Mod Podge.
Helpful tip:With fresh branchesEpsom salt works better, as regular salt can discolor the green foliage after a few days. Regular salt works perfectly on pine cones or dry natural materials.
The key to success is to work quickly so you can apply the “snow” before the glue starts to dry.
Coat the edges of a pinecone or branch with a generous coat of glue or Mod Podge. There will be small puddles of glue in some places, which isn't a big deal. They will later look like thicker snow.
Take a handful of salt and sprinkle it on the glue-coated surface as you twist the pine cone or branch. Do not touch the surface coated with glue and salt.
When finished, set the cones aside to dry. This only takes 10 minutes. Once dry, gently brush off the excess salt from the surface, there will still be plenty left over for the snowy look.
Method 2: Make snowy pine cones yourself with scattered snow or glitter
If you want to use your “snowy” pine cones and branches outdoors where they will be exposed to rain, this method is ideal because, unlike salt, the “snow” will not be washed away.
IMPORTANT: Some white glitter and fake snow particles are very small and may pose a respiratory hazard. Be careful and do not leave children unsupervised with these materials.
This method is very similar to the first method. The only difference is that you use artificial sprinkles instead of salt (you can also use white glitter).
The process is the same as method 1: spread glue and then sprinkle with white glitter or fake snow. Decorative snow looks so realistic these days!
Our only caveat with this technique (besides the safety warning above) is that materials like plastic are not biodegradable. We like the idea of returning everything to nature or the compost bin instead of just throwing it in the trash that then ends up in the landfill. If you make your snow cones with them, try to reuse them next year because they last a long time.
Method 3: Make your own snowy pine cones and branches using paint and a toothbrush
This method is just as easy as the previous ones and you can use your snowy pine cones and branches both indoors and outdoors. Using a toothbrush is the secret to beautifully painted pine cones here.
We use the toothbrush in two ways here. First, dip the toothbrush in white paint and quickly tap the pine cones and foliage to create “snowflakes.” Then use your fingers to press and release the bristles to create small, random squirts that look like snowflakes.
You can also use a combination of methods 1 and 3 to create a more three-dimensional look. That means starting with paint, then using glue and salt.
Which of the three methods should you use?
If you are making these snow-covered pine cones and branches yourself with children or if you want to make a sustainable winter decoration, use technique 1 or 3 because the materials are easy to process and biodegradable.
For an outdoor winter decoration that is exposed to the rain, use technique 2 or 3.
If you prefer more 3D detail, use Technique 1 or 2. You can also use a combination of Techniques 1 and 3.
The finished pine cones and branches can be beautifully arranged on a plate or tray
The pine cones with a snow effect are also perfect as gift tags
Wet sand in a can vase moisturizes the fresh pine branches and holds everything in place like floral foam
