Nature Crafts?

Question

I want to use things from nature like leaves and pine cones to decorate with. I am planning on spray painting them gold. How do I make sure all the critters are out of them and dead? Also, do I polyurathane or shellac them also? Would it look good to use glitter on pine cones?

Answer 1

If you leave your pine cones & things lieieng around indoors for a few days before you plan on working w/ them I would think that all the critters would abandon them. I thought I was the only 1 who says "critters"! : D I would spray your finished crafts w/ a spray-on clear matte finish, it's in w/ regular coloured spray paints. If you apply glitter to pine cones (I think that's available in a spray can, too) I'd suggest mini glitter, & just a dusting. You can always keep adding on more if you want. Good luck & have fun! : D

Answer 2

These 2 sites will help you with your bug worries and how to remove the sap. I wouldn't spray anything on them to make them shiny. That's not the way they are in nature. Use a matte spray.
http://pineconelady.com/FYI.html
http://www.spazzticrafts.com/pinecone-firestarter.php
This site might introduce you to an interesting craft to do with the leaves you are collecting
http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=531093

Answer 3

have you ever used dried gourds to decorate with. If you cant paint free handed you can buy stencil, there are so many things that you can do with them. you can paint them, you can make bird houses out of them use them for flower pots. You can also cut them and make accent pieces out of them. Possibility's are endless.