DIY & Crafts

DIY: A seasonless pinecone wreath

DIY: A seasonless pinecone wreath

Image: Donna Griffith

DIY & Crafts

DIY: A seasonless pinecone wreath

From armoires to dressers, large furnishings present a blank canvas that calls out for a seasonal statement, and this bleached pinecone DIY wreath is a stylish answer.  

Pinecones are like nature's little sculptures. When bleached, they take on a subdued elegance. Leave a few au naturel for added interest.


• About 80 various-size pinecones 
• 20-litre bucket
• 8 litres water 
• 4 litres bleach 
• 1 or 2 Bricks or other disposable heavy objects 
• Rubber gloves 
• Cardboard 
• Hot Glue gun 
• 10-inch foam wreath form


1. Working in a well-ventilated area, place the pinecones in the bucket. Pour the water into the bucket, then carefully add the bleach.

2. Place the brick on top of the pinecones to keep them submerged. Leave to soak for about 20 hours; they'll eventually begin to deteriorate, so check periodically, starting at the 12-hour mark.

3. Wearing rubber gloves, remove the brick and the pinecones. Lay the pinecones out to dry on a piece of cardboard outdoors or in a warm sheltered spot like a garage or a shed. (Pinecones close up when wet but will open again as they dry, which may take up to a week, depending on the temperature.)

4. Once the pinecones are fully dry, use the glue gun to attach the largest ones to the outside perimeter of the wreath form. Next, glue the medium-size pinecones along the middle of the wreath form, then the smallest specimens along the inside perimeter. Fill in any gaps with the remaining pinecones.


Foam wreath form, Striped ribbon,

Contrast the rustic feel of the wreath by hanging it with a chic black-and-white striped ribbon.



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DIY & Crafts

DIY: A seasonless pinecone wreath