Metallic Pine Cones


  This year I am decorating my home for the winter by adding touches of rich metallics everywhere. The gleam of gold warms my cottage and the sparkle of silver fits with my modern aesthetics. To keep things sophisticated, I chose a single motif: the humble pine cone. Each one was easily transformed into treasure with Krylon.

What you need:

  • Pinecones (paint depending on preference)
  • Krylon Indoor/outdoorPrimer
  • Krylon Metallic Spray Paint in Brilliant Gold
  • Krylon Brushed Metallic Spray Paint in Satin Nickel
  • Bristle brush
  • Gloves
  • Drop cloth
  • Undecorated wreath
  • Glue gun
  • 22-gauge wire
  • Wire cutters

How and How Long:

  1. Collect the prettiest pine cones you can find. The more the better! Use a brush with long bristles to clean in between the scales of each one. Remove all the loose dirt and pine needles. (10 minutes).
  2. Lay out the drop cloth in a dry, clean place, and put on gloves to keep paint off your hands. Rattle the can of Krylon Primer to mix it well (1-2 minutes). Hold it 6"-8" from the pinecones and start spraying, sweeping the paint across them smoothly. Let them dry for 10 minutes, then turn them over and cover the other side. Allow 10 more minutes for the final coat of primer to dry. (30minutes - including dry time).
  3. Select the metallic color of your choice and shake the Krylon spray paint well. To lay down your first coat, hold a pine cone in one hand and the paint in the other. This way you can rotate the pine cone to make sure that the paint reaches the inside. As you paint, remember to shake the can often, so that the sparkly particles don't settle to the bottom. Let the metallic paint dry 15 minutes in between coats. Two coats should be perfect. If they smell strongly of paint, you can keep the pine cones in the garage or outside overnight before bringing them in the house to craft. (45 minutes - including dry time).
Approximate project time: less than 2 hours.

What it Costs:

Cost is $40. I purchased spray paint, wire, bristle brush and wreath. I'm sure you could fine an inexpenisve wreath, or use a brush if you already have these items.