It’s so hard to find age appropriate crafts for older students with disabilities.  Most crafts that are easy enough or don’t require a lot of steps or fine motor skills, are geared towards younger children.  This pinecone succulent project is not only age appropriate, but makes a great gift for many occasions!

We originally made this project for a “recycle art” contest for Earth Day, and then we gave them as gifts for Mother’s Day a few weeks later.  We also assembled these beautiful pieces of art for a classroom business/fundraiser!  The total cost per “framed succulent garden” was less than $5.  We were able to make many frames out of scrap wood, and we also received many “old frame” donations (Many people have tons of old/outdated frames laying around in their houses, you’d be surprised!).  Because these pinecone succulent frames were such a popular item, we ended up having to buy some frames which we were able to find at a local dollar store!

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Small to Medium sized pinecones
• Acrylic paint (any color, the more colors the better!)
• Paint brushes (with firmer bristles)
• Bag of Spanish Moss
• Hot Glue Gun & glue sticks
• Elmer’s glue
• Frame, the thicker the better!
• Optional: Primer Spray Paint.
• Optional: Pruning Shears OR Table Saw

COLLECT & CLEAN PINECONES

My class went on a community walk to a nearby park and collected a box of pinecones.  Depending on where you live, this may not be an easy thing to do (I may just be lucky!).  If you do not have access to pinecones, you can always buy a bag of them at your local craft store!  If you end up collecting pinecones outside, you’re going to want to spray bug spray (you can mix vinegar & water) onto the pinecones and let them sit outside for a day or two.  There might be a handful of critters in there and you’ll want to make sure they leave the pinecones before you begin your craft!

Optional: CUT PINECONES

Depending on the size and thickness of the pinecone, will depend on how you go about cutting the pinecone, if the pinecones are too thick or you do not feel comfortable cutting the pinecones, the good thing about this project is that it looks fine without cutting!  You will just want to make sure you get flatter/smaller pinecones.

**SAFETY WARNING: DO NOT OPERATE MACHINERY WITHOUT EXPERIENCE.  TAKE SAFETY PRECAUTIONS SUCH AS WEARING GLOVES & GOGGLES.   MAKE SURE TO HOLD THE END OF THE PINECONE WITH PLIERS OR A SIMILAR TOOL SO THAT YOUR HANDS ARE NOT CLOSE TO THE SAW.  DO NOT STAND  IN FRONT OF THE SAW; IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A SECURE GRIP ON THE PINECONE IT MAY GO SHOOTING IN THE DIRECTION THE SAW IS MOVING.  IT IS NOT ADVISED TO HAVE STUDENTS COMPLETE THIS PART OF THE PROJECT.

PAINT FRAMES

While you wait for the pinecones succulent to clear out, you can prep the frames.  Take off the mounting board, and get rid of the glass & matting (if there is one).  Paint the frame whatever color you want!  If your frame is plastic or some type of similar surface that paint might not stick to, you’ll want to spray paint primer onto the frame first before applying your final layer of color you choose.  Next, paint the mounting board green (you can do whatever color you want though!).  This will help the moss blend in.  Once the mounting board and frame are dry, place it back into the frame (as if you were putting a photo in).

PAINT PINECONES

Use a paint brush with firmer bristles (if the bristles are too soft, its harder to paint the pinecones in the crevices), and paint every inch of the pinecones!  The best part of this project is you can use ANY COLOR!  The more colors, the better!  You can also mess around with different shades of one color, this is where creativity can thrive!  When you are done painting a pinecone succulent, place it on newspaper to dry.

Optional: ADD SHADING/TEXTURE

This is what makes the pinecones come alive and look life like!  Once the pinecones are dry with their main color, take a small dab of a different color and lightly brush the edges of the pine cone!

MAP OUT PINECONES

Make sure you map out where you are going to put a pinecone succulent one at a time before you glue them on!  Fitting them on the mounting board is kind of like putting together a puzzle (unless you leave a lot of space in between each pinecone, which will require more moss).  While you are doing this, plug in your hot glue gun and let it warm up.

GLUE PINECONES

Lift one pinecone at at a time and apply hot glue.  Usually you can apply glue to the middle of the pinecone, but make sure to observe where the pinecone touches the surface, sometimes it is not the middle and you will want to apply glue elsewhere.

ADD MOSS

I use Elmer’s glue because it get the job done and its cheaper in the long run, but you can use hot glue to attach the moss as well.  Pour glue into the open spaces of the mounting board.  You can essentially use a paintbrush to spread the glue out over the surfaces.  Apply moss.  Use the end of a paintbrush or pencil to help poke the moss into tight spots.

Let everything dry, and Enjoy!

Disclaimer:  This project is not mean’t to be displayed outside, the contents of the project may get ruined if they get wet.

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