How to Make Pine Cone Teddy Bears
Best Way to Create Charming Decorations in All Shapes and Sizes
Nov 13, 2009
If you are lucky enough to have evergreen trees, you probably already have a stash of pine cones available. If not, ask your neighbors who do or pick them up when you go out into the woods for family outings. And if that’s not possible, you can buy cones at craft stores or nurseries at this time of year.
Once you’ve got your own, get the family together to make these charming pinecone Teddy bears for your tree or you can simply pile a bunch in a bowl as a unique centerpiece. They’re easy, inexpensive and very appealing.
The size of the bears will depend upon the size of the cones you and your kids collect. Bears made from smaller cones make great tree ornaments while those made from larger cones can decorate your mantel, table, or bookshelves. If you have very tiny cones, you can make bears as ornaments for gifts.
Preparation - Drying Pinecones
Microwave Oven Method
Spread the cones on a paper plate and heat on high in a microwave oven for 30 seconds.
Regular Oven Method
- Line a baking sheet with wax or parchment paper and then place your pinecones on the baking sheet in one layer.
- Slide the baking sheet into your oven at a very low temperature (less than 200°) for approximately 3 to 4 hours.
NOTE - Be very careful: Pitch ignites at high temperatures, so make sure you use the lowest setting on your oven. The slow heat will dissipate the pitch, leaving a shiny, shell-like coating. The smell from the roasting pinecones acts like a natural air freshener.
Instructions
What You Will Need
- 1 large pine cone for body
- 1 medium cone for head
- 4 small pine cones or use hemlock, for legs and arms
- Spare cones
- Glue gun and glue sticks (use a glue gun with cool settings to prevent burns)
- Narrow ribbon
- Christmas Ornament Tree Hooks
NOTE: Keep a bowl of water on hand if you are using a glue gun with hot settings.Little ones should only be using gun glues with cool settings only.
How to Make Your Pine Cone Teddy Bears
- Create the head and body by interlocking the petals of two cones you have selected for the head and the body of the bear.
- Using your glue gun, glue the two cones together, holding firmly in place until set.
- Again, interlocking the petals of the cones together, glue one small ‘arm’ cone to each side of the body cone. Then glue the two ‘leg’ cones to the bottom of the body cone.
- Break off two petals from a spare cone and fit one to each side of the head of the bear to form the ears. Glue these ears into place.
- Let bear dry.
- Make a small bow from your ribbon and then glue the ribbon between the ‘head’ and ‘body’ of the bear.
- Attach an ornament tree hook to the ribbon and hang the bear on to the tree.
Consider creating a Christmas tree for the kids in the family rec room or in the kitchen. Decorate with the pine cone Teddy bears, Christmas card decorations, milkweed pod and pine cone angels, and candy cane hearts. The holidays are more fun for the kids if they get to create some of this season's spirit and a tree of their own is a perfect project for them.
HOL101
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