Handcrafted Stories: Pine Cone Ornaments

Mother nature always gives us great things in each season of the year. For Christmas -the best holiday of the year- you just need to have some creativity to convert these things into the most beautiful ornaments. 

In the northeast coast of the US is very easy to get the pine cones. You can find them almost everywhere. I got mine directly from the trees, so I had to cut them.

You can find them in the ground too. I love the fact that each one is completely different. None is the same. They can look the same, but they are not. 

The pine cone hunting is a great way to spend time with your kids, just keep in mind you need to protect them against the weather. Always wear a jacket, a scarf and a pair of gloves. 

Mission accomplished: The basket is full.

Now, what are you going to need to do this project?...Take a look of the picture below.

Supply list: pine cones (as many as you want), glitter (I picked red this time, I picked gold last year), spray adhesive, a package of disposable gloves, a disposable container and spoon, one or two jewelry clamps, green Christmas ornament holders. Optional: a glue gun and a mask.

First step: you need to put the gloves on due to some pine cones have a wax that is so sticky. Then, wrap the green ornament holder around the pine cone. You can use a glue gun if you want to keep it in place. I have to use it sometimes.

Try to make it like in the picture below. Also you can use them in their natural form if you like. In my case, I love drama and that's why I picked a red glitter.

Second Step: Spray the adhesive on it. For safety reasons, do it in an open space. I did only one inside for demonstration purposes only. You can use a mask if you want too.

Third step: Take your disposable container with the glitter and your spoon and start sprinkle it over.

 You can stop whenever you want. In my case as I told before I love drama, so I need to continue until the pine cone is completely covered with the glitter.

This is how I like. The pine cone is completely finished.

You can make them in all the colors you want.

PART ONE: BEHIND THE SCENES OF "HANDMADE WHIMSICAL WOMEN KNITWEAR"

I mostly work for newborns and babies up to 12 months and of course, whatever idea or custom order any mom would like for her baby. There is nothing better in all the world than a newborn. If you are a mom like me, you can understand these words. However, I have been receiving requests from these moms to create something for them. A knitwear for women. So, I already started knitting.

I will show you the item completed in the part two. For these handmade whimsical women knitwear I have been working in some handcrafted tags with the initials of my store: CB.

Each tag has been handcrafted with clay by myself. I conditioned it with my pasta machine and then I use the letters C & B to create them. I baked them according to the instructions. The tags are completely white, so I chose Silver (my favorite color) to hand paint them.

This tag will be sewed to your piece once it is finished. I only recommend to take it away if you need to wash and dry your knitwear. Once it is clean you can sew it again.

You can visit my store: 
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CarameloBoutique

PART TWO: BEHIND THE SCENES OF "MAKING AN UNIQUE ITEM"

It took me a few days to decide what to do with my handmade yarn once it was completed it. I was not sure if I wanted to make a hat or a scarf.....If I wanted to knit it or crochet it. Then, I finally took a decision and I started to knit. I always use circular knitting needles. Personally, I don't like straight needles.

My unique cowl is finished and ready to make an urban photo shoot.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112933050/handmade-unique-boho-urban-knit-chunky?ref=shop_home_active_2

Two locations were chosen: Lower Manhattan and Midtown with the Empire State Building as a background.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112933050/handmade-unique-boho-urban-knit-chunky?ref=shop_home_active_2

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112933050/handmade-unique-boho-urban-knit-chunky?ref=shop_home_active_2

If you are interested in purchasing this unique item, please click the link below of the picture or visit my store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CarameloBoutique

PART ONE: BEHIND THE SCENES OF "MAKING MY OWN YARN"

The picture below is the first step to get an unique item. This is my first handmade yarn and I really enjoyed making it and I love what I get from it. Read my article to see all the work behind my items. 

https://www.etsy.com/listing/85724172/thick-and-thin-hand-dyed-rainbow-yarn?ref=shop_home_active_10

It is really amazing to be able to make my own yarn. It is a long process, but the results are wonderful. First, I have to wash my fiber and let it rest for a while.

Then, I need to add some colors, I feel free to make any combination. The most interesting thing is that you don't know exactly which colors you will get until the end.

Rinse it carefully. Do not twist it.

I grabbed my drop spindle and made my first ball of yarn.

Ta-da!!!!. This is my Lollipop handmade yarn. Beautiful!!!.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/85724172/thick-and-thin-hand-dyed-rainbow-yarn?ref=shop_home_active_10

If you want to buy my handmade yarn, you need to click the link below of the picture above or please visit my store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CarameloBoutique