Autumn not only brings colorful leaves, but also the perfect opportunity to express your creativity with chestnuts. These natural treasures are not only a nostalgic reminder of childhood days, but also versatile materials for enchanting craft projects. Whether as cute spiders or stylish wreaths, the possibilities are endless. Find out below how you can use simple materials to create wonderful fall decorations that will delight both children and adults.
Chestnuts are not only suitable for roasting on an open fire, but also as decoration in the autumn and winter months. These warm, chocolate-colored gems will add additional woodland charm to your home. Not only do they bring an organic, natural feel, but they are also known to keep spiders and moths away! There are so many different craft ideas for chestnut figures! You can buy chestnuts in most supermarkets, but if you want an authentic feel, you can pick them yourself! And what can you make from chestnuts? Please read on!
Make chestnut spiders with children
Materials required:
A large chestnut
2 goggle eyes
2 pipe cleaners
adhesive
pike
Of course, you can also make these spiders with sticks or toothpicks, which you break in the middle to form the legs.
Directions:
- Cut the pipe cleaners into 8 pieces. You can cut them in half and then cut them in half again.
- Make 8 holes for the legs and glue them in. Make sure the holes are deep enough so that they have something to “hold on to.”
- Scrape the shiny surface of the chestnut to help the eye glue stick and add the goggle eyes.
Materials and tools required:
100+ chestnuts (picked or purchased)
Wreath form (you can make your own wreath form or buy one at the supermarket)
Hot glue gun (you will need 10 glue sticks for this project)
Ribbon to attach the wreath to a door or wall
Chestnut wreath step-by-step instructions:
- Gather all the materials together and connect the hot glue gun to make sure it is heated before starting the project.
- Wash and dry all chestnuts. This is important to ensure that all dirt is removed (it will affect the effectiveness of the adhesive).
- Tie the top ribbon (if your wreath form doesn't already have one).
- Place a dab of hot glue on a chestnut (preferably on the flat side) and press it into the wreath shape. Hold the chestnut for a few seconds to make sure it stays in place.
- The top and sides of the wreath formare served with chestnutsstickered, the back remains free. This way the wreath is easy to hold and there is no risk of the wreath falling apart. Repeat the process for each chestnut (1 at a time) until you have covered the entire wreath with chestnuts.
- Allow the glue to dry before attaching the bow. For the bow, take jute ribbon or a wide ribbon and make a large bow. To attach the bow to the wreath, take a long strip of ribbon and tie it around the middle of the bow, then tie the ribbon ends at the bottom (or top) of the wreath.
- Hang your new chestnut wreath and take lots of photos! What else can you make from chestnuts – read on!
Make your own heart out of chestnuts
Materials and tools required:
Chestnuts
Cord or wire
Scissors
Hammer
Long nails
cutting board
If you pierce the chestnuts, please have an adult do this.
Directions:
- Insert the nail into the center of the chestnut and hammer through until the nail shows on the other side. Keep it up,until all chestnutsare pierced.
- If you're using wire, it's best to bend the metal into a heart shape.
- Place the chestnuts one after the other on the prepared wire form.
- Hang on the mantel or wall to create a lovely atmosphere at home.
Make a cute garland
Materials and tools required:
Plastic fishing line
Fresh chestnuts
Leather cord
Thin nail
Hammer
Large plastic needle
Scissors
Oven or dehydrator
Directions:
- Use a hammer and nail to punch a hole in the center of each chestnut. Some chestnuts are so soft that you can press the nail in with your fingers. Others require a hammer blow to drive in the nail.
- After making the first hole, insert the plastic needle into the hole and pull it out the other side. The hole should be large and clear.
- Dry the chestnuts. If you have a dehydrator, set it to the lowest setting and let it run for at least 3 days. If you don't have a dehydrator, set your oven to the lowest setting and dehydratethe chestnutson a baking sheet in the oven for 5-6 hours. The longer you can leave them in the oven, the shorter the final drying time. Remove the chestnuts from the oven and allow them to air dry for 3-7 days. The chestnuts are rock hard when completely dried.
- Once the chestnuts are dry and cool, thread them onto the fishing line using the plastic needle.
- Cut the leather cord into 12cm long pieces. You will need one piece for each chestnut, and an additional piece.
- Starting at one end of the garland, tie a piece of leather cord between each chestnut.
- Tie off the fishing line at both ends. The easiest way is to tie the fishing line at both ends with the leather strip so that the knot stays secure.
- Wrap the garland around the railing, or hang it on the wall or door and enjoy the fresh autumn atmosphere at home!
What else can you make from chestnuts? More ideas for chestnut craftscan be found here!
