How to make blushed icicle pine cones

Emulate the glow of sunset on the ice with this project featuring pine cones and Himalayan salt crystals. The pink salt adds a bit of color to a traditional snowy pine-cone display. Use either dried real cones or fake ones sold by craft stores year-round.

Himalayan salt is pink, but if you're looking for a different color scheme, try silver or blue-gray chalk paint. This project uses a light blush color, so to make the salt stand out more, select a bright white.

Materials
- 1 piece of scrap fabric, 4x4 inches
- Chalk paint (FolkArt Willow Mist used in project)
- 2 small bowls
- Bristle paintbrush, 1½-inch
- Pink Himalayan salt crystals
- Spray adhesive
- Disposable gloves
- Face mask (not shown)
- Decorative bowl or tray

Instructions
1. Place the scrap fabric on a work surface. Pour some chalk paint into one of the bowls, then dip the paintbrush into the paint.

2. Hold the pine cone at the base and paint the tips of the scales. Start at the bottom and work up, using an upward brushstroke to cover the tips. Set the cone on its base and let the paint dry.

3. Fill a small bowl with pink salt. Sprinkle the pine cone with the salt, pressing additional crystals into the hollows the scales create. Do this all around the pine cone.

4. Put on a face mask (not shown) and gloves. Ventilate the work area. Spray the pine cone with glue.
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5. Add and press on additional salt crystals before the glue dries. Spray the pine cone again.

6. Shake off any loose crystals after the glue dries. Arrange the pine cones in a display dish or on a tray.
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