With the huge trend in rustic Christmas decorations still present, there is very little chance that it will be going anywhere anytime soon! And this Pine Cone Garland captures that handcrafted and rustic feel perfectly, as well as the addition of glitter which really brings the craft together. This simple garland can be placed on the mantle piece or as a perfect addition to any ornaments and candle arrangement, creating visual interest and a rustic feel that will be ideal for any area of the house that needs a festive spruce.

What you will need:
Pine Cones
Acrylic Paint
Glue
Iridescent Glitter
Paint Brushes
Red Tweed String
Green Tweed String

Step One:
Start by painting the tips of each pine cone that you will be using white. This white will act as a base coat for the brighter colours which will be painted later. As this is a rustic craft, the painting doesn't need to be neat as long as the colour is opaque, just make sure to paint the top and underneath of each scale.

Step Two:
After the first coat of paint has dried, separate the pine cones out into three equal piles. Take one pile and paint the tips green, then take another pile which will be painted red and the rest will remain white, giving the pine cones diversity across the garland.

Step Three:
Next, create a mixture of the iridescent glitter and glue. Make sure to add enough glitter to give the glue a grainy texture, as this will mean more glitter will show when it has dried.

Step Four:
Ensure that the paint has dried fully before adding the glitter and glue mixture, then give the pine cones a thick layer of this mixture taking into consideration the amount of glitter that will be visible when the glue has dried.

Step Five:
Lastly, attach the pine cones to a length of tweed string by slotting it under the scales at the base of the pine cones and tying a single knot to secure it. This doesn't have to be too tight as there is a chance of snapping scales off of the pine cones. Ensure they are tied equal lengths apart and the colours of the pine cones are placed on the length of string randomly.

With there being so many uses for a garland like this, get creative and see just how versatile this craft can be! So have a go yourself and create a festive garland that will bring a handcrafted and rustic feel to your home and Christmas decorations this year!