Pine cones for crafts. How to paint, what is beautiful

Cones from coniferous trees are often used for making various crafts, New Year decorations. The material is suitable for these purposes due to its ease of painting, decoration and long-term storage. It can be stored for many years without loss of quality and appearance.

General rules for painting cones

When choosing a paint substance, the following aspects must be taken into account:

• ease of use;
• acceptability;
• harmlessness of use.

The third point is especially important when making decorations from pine cones together with children.

The following agents can be used as dyes:

• gouache – a type of adhesive, dense, water-soluble paint;
• alkyd enamel – a special type of paint and varnish materials, distinguished by its versatility of use;
• acrylic paints – water-dispersible agents based on polyacrytes that form a dense film when dried;
• aerosol cans - this is paint that is in a sealed container under pressure;
• fixing varnishes – viscous compositions that form a durable film with a matte or glossy sheen.

To achieve a high-quality, beautiful appearance of the cones, they must be painted in several layers (2-3).

In addition to the dye, the procedure may require:

• brushes, sponge or piece of foam rubber;
• wire to secure the cone;
• screws;
• container for collecting excess paint;
• gloves.

Color combinations

You can paint pine cones for crafts in different ways. The products will look simple and unusual at the same time. To achieve a beautiful appearance, you need to combine different textures and colors., so you get unique products. You can then use them as original interior design elements or for making garlands or decorations.

The most common color solutions are:

• silver;
• gold;
• white;
• colors of the rainbow.

To decorate the cones, use glitter, sequins, and beads.. When choosing a color, you can rely on a range that complements the interior decoration of the premises or contrasts with it. For example, if the interior has bright, eye-catching colors, then the cones can match this range.

You can add sparkling colors to a neutral interior, then the fakes will play the role of an accent that draws attention. The classic solution is to choose the same shades as the interior elements.

Preparatory stage

There are a number of rules, following which you can achieve beautiful elegant products. Before painting, you should carry out a preparatory stage.

It includes the following points:

1. You can collect cones in forests under coniferous trees. Suitable material will be spruce, cedar, pine cones. You can collect them at any time of the year, as they are well stored and do not lose their qualities. It is better to collect the material in gloves, so as not to be afraid of dirt.
2. Preparation begins with cleaning the cones of any remaining resin, seeds, dirt and debris. Any type of dirt and seeds can be removed using brushes, tweezers, and in particularly hard-to-reach places.
3. Next, the obtained raw materials should be sorted. by shape and size.
4. The sorted material is dipped into a vinegar-water solution, which is prepared in a 2:1 ratio. The cones are immersed so that they are completely covered with the solution. They are left in this form for half an hour. When the cones get wet, their scales close, which is a temporary effect.
5. The raw material is removed from the solution, spread out on a newspaper or paper towel until completely dry.
6. At the end of the preparatory stage, the cones are dried. The procedure can be performed in several ways:

• Heating in the oven involves laying the cones on a baking sheet covered with foil or parchment. They are also covered on top. The cones should be placed on the baking sheet without touching. The oven is heated to a temperature of 95-120°C. The raw material is pierced in it for half an hour until the scales open.
• Drying in natural conditions without an oven, it is carried out in the sun for 3 days.

You can paint cones for crafts after preliminary preparation. When heating them in the oven, you must remember that the resin can crystallize, so you need to cool the material gradually.

To do this, first turn off the heating element, then slightly open the oven, leave it for a while. When taking out the cones, you need to take into account that they become fragile after drying. Here you should be careful.

The preparatory stage can also include adjusting the shape of the cones. To give the desired attractive appearance to the products, you can use a jigsaw and nippers. Using tools, cut off pieces of scales, forming cones. It is better not to throw away those parts that were cut off, they can be used in creativity in the future to make crafts.

As a method of fastening the cones, you can use a regular screw, which is screwed into their lower part. Wire or rope is attached to the screw. Garlands and various decorations are made in the same way.

Sometimes it is necessary to lighten the cones. The procedure can be done using labarrac water (bleach). To do this, the raw material is completely immersed in the solution and kept there for a day (or longer).

When the cones are taken out of it, they are washed with water and dried naturally. The result is bleached, odorless products.

If you put them in a bag and add 1-2 drops of essential oil, this will give them a pleasant aroma.

How and with what can you paint pine cones for crafts?

All painting work must be carried out with caution. Only pre-prepared cones are suitable for the procedure. Before starting it, you should think about the choice of coloring agent, since the future visual effect of the products depends on it.

When choosing a dye, you also need to rely on your financial capabilities, the time available for the procedure, and safety precautions. Let's say the chosen method of dyeing requires hanging the cones until they are completely dry over a container for collecting the dye. Here you should prepare for such an opportunity in advance.

To paint with an aerosol can, you will need to think about how to attach the material so that it is fixed in a stationary position. When working with such paints, it is better to use pre-bleached products, so you can get more saturated bright colors.

Gouache paints can be applied to natural flower cones and then varnished. The latter dye is also best applied to untreated material, as the color range of varnishes refers to natural wood tones.

Painting pine cones for crafts means doing some difficult work, before which you need to decide on the dyes. Their comparative characteristics are summarized in the table.

Name of the substance	Painting speed	Labor intensity	Features of the method	Price
Alkyd enamel	Fast	Minimum costs	Suitable for painting the entire product in a single color.	Average
Gouache	Average	Small	Suitable for creating interesting, non-standard decor with imagination and for working with children.	Cheap
Acrylic paints	Slow	Costly method	It is possible to obtain multi-colored products with different textures, matte or glossy surfaces.	Tall
Aerosol cans	Fast	Big	As a result of the work, visually attractive products with varied textures are obtained. The method of attaching the cones is problematic.	Average
Varnish	Depends on the method chosen	It can be different	It is possible to obtain products with different textures, visual effects, and painted in natural colors.	Tall

The process of painting cones with alkyd enamel is fast, but it requires additional equipment in the form of a tray to collect liquid flowing from suspended items. It is available in wide-necked jars, thanks to which the material can be completely immersed in the dye.

Its color range and texture are varied: you can buy matte or glossy paint. To obtain a high-quality coloring over the entire area of ​​the cone, it must be hung on a wire to dry. In this form, it is placed over a container to collect the paint that flows from the cone.

The advantages of enamel are durability and elasticity, as well as quick drying. Such means can be used without harm to health indoors. It is suitable for obtaining cones painted white, since enamel is not subject to aging, does not fade.

Acrylic dyes are available in special jars or tubes. After painting the items, designers recommend applying wood varnish on top, which will make their surface shiny. The varnish will protect the paint from cracking.

You can paint cones for crafts using a sponge or a brush. A distinctive feature of acrylic paints is that they can not only add color to the product, but also volume.

The procedure for making cones involves leaving them until they dry completely. For this purpose, the products are hung over a tray to collect liquid. The drying time of the paint is indicated in the instructions for its use.

Gouache is the cheapest known method of painting. It is most suitable for working with children. The procedure requires a brush or foam rubber. Its peculiarity is that gouache can be used to tint products partially, and not entirely, which can give it a more interesting look.

For example, you can paint only the tips of the scales in different colors. In the process, it is appropriate to show imagination: tint the internal or external elements.

Pressurized spray paints can speed up the process. The method features the fixation of the material in a stationary state with access to all its parts. Painting is carried out in one layer, which is enough to achieve a uniform coating.

The procedure requires training to develop skills, after which you can achieve a perfectly colored cone. Aerosols can give different visual effects. One of the popular ones is metallic coloring. The products can be combined in a variety of colors, they are produced with different textures, giving the products brightness and elegance.

The advantage of spray cans is their economy, since the dye is applied in a thin layer, dries quickly and has good wear resistance.

As a coloring agent, you can choose wood varnish. It serves as a composition that does not turn yellow over time. The varnish is applied with brushes or a sponge, it can be purchased in an aerosol can. To obtain a reliable coating of the substance, the cone can be lowered into the jar entirely. It should also be left to drain.

The best proven is ship varnish. It is distinguished by its wear resistance. All other types (parquet, for interior work) show less durability. Varnish, depending on its composition, is capable of producing different visual effects.

It is available for sale in the following types:

• matte;
• with a glossy shine;
• satin.

Every creative person is able to make a choice according to their soul or their needs.

How to give pine cones an unusual look?

Cones are most often used in painted form for crafts. To give them an unusual look, you can use non-standard interesting solutions.

The list of such ideas includes the following methods:

• Use of paraffin - a colorless white substance that becomes liquid when heated. The procedure is carried out in a water bath, that is, the paraffin is placed in a container that you don’t mind getting dirty, and it is placed in another one filled with water. The desired color in the form of a coloring pigment is added to the liquid consistency. These can be special substances used for painting interiors. The cone is completely dipped into the resulting solution. Then it is suspended over a container to collect the paint. The advantage of paraffin is the ability to give a three-dimensional shape to the product. As a result, it will have an unusual attractive appearance. The only drawback of the method is that after the paraffin has hardened, the cone will need to be corrected by removing all unnecessary drips.
• Using sponges or foam rubber different textures allows you to get different layers of paint on the cone, from thin to textured. The disadvantage of this method is its repeated use, since to get a rich color you will need to apply several layers (2-3) to the product. The advantage of this method is the ability to experiment. The greater the porosity of the material from which the sponge is made, the stronger the effect of unevenness of the painted surface. Different textures help to obtain different shades. Using sponges or foam rubber together with acrylic paints allows you to achieve a relief uneven pattern, since the substance dries quickly.
• Application of saline solution will give the cones the effect of frost or snow scattered over them. To prepare the substance, you will need 1 kg of salt, which is added to 1.5 liters of water. Bring the solution to a boil. Place the cones in it for 5-6 hours, completely immersing them. After soaking, dry them naturally or in the oven until the scales are completely open. The result will be products with randomly scattered salt crystals on the outer sides.

Precautionary measures

When working with any paints and devices, safety regulations must be observed. This aspect is especially important when working with children.

The list of rules includes:

• Aerosol substances, being under high pressure in cans, have high volatility. They have a negative effect on the respiratory system. When performing such work, it is necessary to be in a respirator or a mask (regular gauze will do).
• The danger of using aerosol paints is their easy ignition and fire hazard, so when working with spray cans, good ventilation or a draft in the room will be required. A more suitable option is to perform the procedure outside.
• When dyeing cones with any means, you need to wear gloves, as the substances are absorbed into the skin, causing harm to it.
• A mask and goggles to protect your eyes and respiratory organs will not be superfluous.
• It is important to remember that aerosol substances are not suitable for painting products with children.
• The varnish also requires safety precautions. It should not be allowed to come into contact with the skin or mucous membranes, so when working with it, you must wear loose-fitting, thick fabric clothing (not tight to the body).
• If it is possible to carry out the procedure in the fresh air, it is better to use it.
• You can remove the smell in the room by airing it out.
• When working with acrylic paints or gouache, you can take into account that these substances are less toxic, but here you also need to be careful that they do not get into your mouth or eyes.

Acrylic paints and gouache are the most preferable for working with children. There is children's gouache on sale, which can be used to paint even with your hands. It is better to dry finished products in the fresh air (this can be a balcony), so you can achieve faster drying without unnecessary odor that spreads throughout the house or apartment.

Crafts made from multi-colored cones always look interesting and extraordinary. The main thing in painting is thinking through the colors and texture of the products, which will make them original and unique, perfectly complementing the interior, creating a festive atmosphere.

Video about painting cones

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