Finding and cleaning the pinecones
Scented pinecones are so easy to make and a great way to use up some of the many pinecones that you find lying around this time of year. We live near to a large forest, so they are plentiful here in all shapes and sizes. You may wish to wash your pine cones if they are fresh from the forest. Just use warm soapy water for this. You can leave them soaking for a while to make sure that there are no bugs hiding in there. Bear in mind that if you choose to do this then they will take longer to dry. The pinecones will close up when wet.
Dry the pinecones
First of all make sure that the pinecones are completely dry. I had, had mine from the previous season, but if they are fresh from the ground, then you can dry them out in an airing cupboard or other warm place. You can put them in the oven on a very low heat if you wish. You will know that they are dry when they are completely open.
Choose an essential oil for your scented pinecones
Next, choose your essential oils. Christmas scents such as cinnamon or orange are good this time of year, but you can use whatever you like. To protect surfaces put some newspaper down before adding the oil as it can cause damage to surfaces. Also, be careful not to get it on your skin unless it says it is safe to do so. Most oils need to be diluted with a carrier oil before using, , and pure essential oil can cause skin irritation. Be careful also to keep away from the eyes.
Shake a few drops of oil onto each cone. You can use a combination of oils that blend together if you like. Then place the scented pinecones in a tin or plastic box with an air tight lid. A plastic bag or zip lock bag will do, just make sure that they are airtight. Leave for about a week. Because the pinecones are porous, they will absorb the scent. Then they are ready to use.
Uses for the scented pinecones
The scented pinecones made a nice addition to my entrance way in a simple bowl. I also put some in my bathroom as part of my Christmas decorating. They also looked nice as part of my natural inspired table centrepiece along with some small oranges for Christmas Day. But you can put them anywhere you like, including wired into wreaths. The smell should las for a couple of weeks, and then they can be re-done.
Scented pinecones also make a pretty and also sustainable gift. Simply place them in a closed jar or tin with a lid, and decorate with a ribbon. If you wish, you could also add a little glitter to the pinecones. The pinecones will keep indefinitely, though you will need to refresh the sent regularly.
[…] Here is another craft to make using pinecones – scented pinecones. […]