DIY Pinecone and Cement Gnomes

  / vennasnature  

Wash the pine cones in a sink full of warm water with 1/2 cup to 1 cup of vinegar. Let them soak for 20 to 30 minutes. ...

Preheat your oven to 200 to 250°F. Place the pine cones on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread them out so they have room to open. Let them bake for at least 30 minutes up to an hour.

Cemental clay for one Gnome

5 squares toilet paper
1/4 c Elmer's glue all
1/4 tsp dish soap
mix until tissue turns to fibers
add and stir
1/2 c cemental
Turn out on plastic covered table and knead in portland cement or Cemental until you have the consistency you want. I used Cemental here.

soft for spreading
more firm for molding details

This clay dries quickly this is why I only mix up enough for one gnome at a time.

Hot glue foil hat to pinecone
cover foil with clay
Add clay nose

use a length of jute or hemp twine tie knots at each end. Mold the boots over the knots. Add as much detail as you like.

set the twine in and around the spaces in the pinecone to make the legs