How To Make An Easy Acorn And Pinecone Wreath

5 Materials
$15
1 Hour
Easy

In this step by step tutorial, I show you how to make an easy acorn and pinecone wreath using a grapevine wreath base and nature finds found out on a walk.


I love crafting with natural elements. They’re free, sustainable and a lovely way to bring a touch of nature into your home.


I’ve used pinecones, acorns and conkers for my fall wreath, but you can use just one element such as pinecones or any autumn nuts, seed heads or dried fruit available to you.


What you need to make a DIY pinecone wreath


  • Pinecones, acorns and conkers (or any other elements of your choice).
  • Wreath base
  • Glue gun and sticks
  • Spray top coat.

I chose to use a 12-inch grapevine wreath ring for my base. You can use any solid wreath base that you can glue on to for this project, but if you use styrofoam, I’d suggest either painting it or covering it in fabric before you start to pretty it up.


The glue gun that I use is a TEC 305 12mm Craft Glue Gun. It’s designed with crafters in mind and works with a vast range of different glue sticks depending on the materials you are glueing. For this project, I used TECBOND 261 / 12mm Flexible Glue Sticks that can cope with any movement you might get using natural materials.


Since I collected the elements for my wreath as I found them, I left them on trays to dry out for a couple of weeks until I was ready to use them.

How to assemble an acorn and pinecone wreath.


Before I started to assemble my wreath, I glued some of the acorns into their caps to ensure none drop off when my wreath is hanging on my front door.

I then began sticking my elements onto my wreath base. I find it is easiest to add one component at a time when building up a mixed seedhead wreath such as this, so I started with the pinecones.

Then added the conkers.

And some empty acorn caps.

Before filling in the gaps with a mix of loose acorns and acorns with their caps stuck on. You can see that during the week between getting to this stage and taking the next lot of photos, the pinecones had opened up.


Add as many embellishments as you like. Dried fruits and berries look lovely on a natural wreath, as does moss and lichens. You could also add in spices such as cinnamon sticks and star anise.


You can also use the same method to make a wreath out of items found around the house. Baubles, buttons, puzzle pieces and lego all make fabulous Christmas wreath material.

Finally, I sealed my wreath with two coats of spray-on protective sealant. This protective layer stops acorns and pine cones from drying out further while bringing out their natural beauty.


The photo below shows my pinecone wreath before I applied the topcoat.

And here is my wreath with the topcoat applied. The varnish brings out the beauty of the conkers and acorns, giving my wreath a beautiful sheen.

I’m using this project as a door wreath, but it would also look lovely hung inside or displayed on a table.

Originally, I planned to use this pinecone wreath just as a fall wreath and change it up for Christmas. But I love it so much I think it might be staying all winter!

 

If you have enjoyed our Pinecone wreath tutorial, why not check out some of our other nature based Christmas ideas. You can find two of our favourites below.


How to make a star wreath using floral foam


I show you how to cut a star wreath form from floral foam easily, and decorate it with fresh foliage to make a stunning star wreath to hang on your front door.

How to make a stunning twig chandelier


Our Twig Chandelier makes a beautiful ceiling Christmas Decoration. Check out our video tutorial to see exactly how we made it!

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  3 questions
  • Leah Lintz Leah Lintz on Nov 23, 2020

    So gorgeous!! I need to go out now and pick up pine cones and acorns as it's going to snow very soon. I'm curious as to where you are in the world? You mentioned conkers and my immediate thought was that you were in the uk. But then you spoke of Thanksgiving and I'm thinking, hmmm, a transplant? Gorgeous wreath!!!


  • Gigi Gigi on Nov 22, 2022

    Very pretty! Do you have to bake the pinecones and acorns to get rid of bugs?

  • Pinky Pinky on Nov 26, 2023

    Just beautiful I love it!!!

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  • Vic64306796 Vic64306796 on Nov 22, 2022

    I love your mix for this wreath!

    very professional!!!

  • Amy Aube Amy Aube on Jan 29, 2023

    I love your wreath. I would recommend baking at low heat for about a half hour. This will kill any unwanted critters and melt the sap. I love that you add all sorts of natural elements to your wreath. I thought I was the only one that thinks lichen is beautiful. Oak galls also look beautiful!

    😀

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