I went on a hike last fall and came home with pockets full of pinecones, interesting leaves, and pretty rocks. My partner asked what I was planning to do with all of it, and honestly, I had no idea. But then I started making things, and now half my apartment is decorated with crafts made from foraged nature finds.
There’s something really satisfying about creating with materials you collected yourself. It’s free, it connects you to nature, and every piece has a story about where you found it. Plus, nature provides the most beautiful colors and textures that you can’t really replicate with store-bought supplies.
Let me show you some nature crafts that actually look good and don’t require artistic skills.
The Beauty of Nature Crafting
Forest and nature crafts tap into something primal. Working with materials that grew in the earth, shaped by weather and time, feels different than working with manufactured supplies. There’s an imperfection and authenticity that makes each piece unique.
Plus, it’s sustainable. You’re using materials that would otherwise just decompose on the forest floor. And getting outside to collect supplies is good for your mental health, so it’s a win all around.
What to Collect and Where
Before we get into projects, let’s talk about ethical foraging. Only collect from the ground, never pull anything off living trees or plants. Take only what you need and leave plenty for wildlife and ecosystem health. Avoid protected areas where collecting isn’t allowed. Basically, be respectful of nature while you’re gathering from it.
Pinecones are abundant in fall and winter under pine and spruce trees. Collect different sizes for variety. Acorns and seed pods add interesting shapes to projects. Interesting branches and twigs, especially ones with moss or lichen, bring texture. Leaves in various shapes and colors press beautifully. Rocks and pebbles, smooth or interesting shapes. Tree bark that’s already fallen, never peel from living trees. Seed heads from dried flowers like teasel or Queen Anne’s lace. Moss that’s already separated from trees or rocks.
I keep a basket by my door for nature walks specifically so I can collect things as I find them. My collection has grown into quite the stockpile.
Pressed Flower and Leaf Art
This is the easiest entry point into nature crafting and the results are genuinely beautiful.
Collect leaves and flowers that appeal to you. Press them between heavy books with parchment paper on either side for at least a week, ideally two. Once completely dry and flat, arrange them on cardstock or watercolor paper and glue them down with a thin layer of mod podge or craft glue.
Frame them in simple frames for instant botanical art. You can create single specimen frames showing one perfect leaf or flower, or arrange multiple items in a composition. These look expensive and sophisticated but cost basically nothing.
I have a series of pressed autumn leaves framed on my wall that everyone assumes I bought at some artsy boutique. They cost me maybe $15 for the frames at a thrift store.
Pinecone Projects
Pinecones are incredibly versatile and easy to work with.
Painted pinecones transform humble forest finds into decorations. Spray paint them white for winter decor, gold for elegance, or leave them natural and just add glitter to the tips. Display them in bowls, use them as place card holders, or attach them to wreaths.
Pinecone wreath creates a stunning statement piece. Hot glue pinecones around a wreath form in overlapping layers until it’s completely covered. You can leave them natural, spray paint the whole thing, or add other elements like berries or ribbon. It’s rustic and beautiful and perfect for fall or winter.
Pinecone fire starters are functional and giftable. Dip pinecones in melted wax, let them dry, and you have natural fire starters. Tie them with twine and add a tag for easy gifts.
Pinecone flowers sound weird but look adorable. Cut pinecones in half crosswise to create “flower” shapes. Paint them bright colors and glue them to wooden stems or wire. Arrange in a vase for whimsical floral arrangements that last forever.
Branch and Twig Crafts
Fallen branches are everywhere and they’re free decor waiting to happen.
Branch curtain rod replaces a standard curtain rod with a natural branch. Find a straight, sturdy branch slightly longer than your window, remove the bark if desired or leave it natural, and mount it where your curtain rod would go. Hang curtains with clips or rings. It looks intentional and brings nature indoors in a functional way.
Twig frame creates a rustic border for mirrors or photos. Measure and cut small branches to fit around your frame, glue them on with hot glue or wood glue, and you have an instant woodland transformation. You can leave the bark on for more texture or remove it for a cleaner look.
Branch coat rack or jewelry holder mounts an interesting branched piece on the wall and uses the natural hooks for hanging items. Sand it smooth if needed, attach it securely, and you have functional art.
Twig bundles tied with twine or ribbon make simple, beautiful decorations. Stand them in a vase, lay them on a mantle, or hang them on walls. Sometimes the simplest things are the most effective.
Rock and Stone Crafts
Smooth rocks collected from beaches, rivers, or hiking trails become tiny canvases.
Painted rocks can be anything you want. Paint them with simple designs, mandalas, animals, or inspirational words. Seal them with clear coat if they’ll be outside. Hide them around your neighborhood for others to find, use them as paperweights, or arrange them in a dish as decorative accents.
Stacked rock sculptures or cairns create meditative art. Balance rocks on top of each other, either gluing them for permanence or leaving them loose for the challenge of balance. Display on shelves, desks, or in garden spaces.
Rock photo holders use flat rocks as bases with wire spirals to hold photos or cards. Glue wire to a flat rock, create a spiral at the top to hold papers, and you have a natural photo display.
Rock candle holders drill or carve indents into flat rocks just deep enough for tea lights. The natural stone combined with candlelight creates beautiful ambiance.
Moss and Lichen Projects
Only collect moss and lichen that’s already detached from its source.
Moss terrarium creates a miniature forest ecosystem. Layer rocks, soil, and moss in a glass container. Add small figurines or found objects for a fairy garden effect. Mist occasionally to keep it alive or use preserved moss for zero maintenance.
Moss letters or shapes spell out words or create shapes. Buy craft letters or cut shapes from cardboard, cover them with moss using hot glue, and you have textured, natural wall art or table decorations.
Moss wreath base covers a wreath form with moss to create a lush, forest-floor look. Add other natural elements like pinecones, acorns, or dried flowers for a completely natural wreath.
Acorn and Seed Crafts
Small natural items often get overlooked but they’re perfect for detail work.
Acorn cap ornaments or garland transforms tiny caps into surprising decorations. Fill acorn caps with tiny felt balls, beads, or mini pom-poms and hang them as miniature ornaments. String them together for garland.
Seed pod decorations spray painted or left natural add interesting shapes to arrangements, wreaths, or table displays. Eucalyptus pods, sweet gum balls, and lotus pods all have fascinating shapes.
Acorn wreaths glue dozens of acorns to a small wreath form for a completely natural, textured wreath. Leave natural or spray paint gold or white for different effects.
Bark and Wood Slice Projects
Wood slice coasters sand fallen branches cut into slices, seal them with polyurethane, and you have rustic coasters. You can wood burn designs into them, paint them, or leave them completely natural.
Bark wall art arranges pieces of fallen bark in interesting patterns and frames them. The natural texture and color variation creates organic abstract art.
Wood round trivets or serving boards uses larger wood slices as functional kitchen items. Sand smooth, treat with food-safe oil, and use for serving or as hot pads.
Creating a Nature Display
Instead of hiding your nature collection, make it part of your decor. Use glass jars or apothecary containers to display pinecones, acorns, or interesting seed pods. Create a nature shelf with found objects arranged intentionally. Use shallow bowls or trays to corral collections of rocks, shells, or bark pieces.
I have a glass cloche with pinecones and moss, a bowl of smooth river rocks on my coffee table, and various branches displayed in tall vases around my apartment. It keeps the nature vibe going even when I’m not actively crafting.
Preserving and Preparing Materials
Bake pinecones at 200°F for about an hour to kill any bugs and release remaining sap before using them in crafts. Let them cool completely before handling.
Press leaves and flowers for at least a week in heavy books to remove all moisture and flatten them completely.
Clean rocks and branches thoroughly, removing dirt and debris. Let everything dry completely before crafting.
Store collected items in paper bags or cardboard boxes rather than plastic, which can trap moisture and cause mold. Label and date your collections so you remember what you have.
My Nature Craft Evolution
I started by just collecting pretty things with no plan. Then I made one pressed leaf frame and got hooked. Now I have pinecone wreaths, branch curtain rods, rock sculptures, moss terrariums, and framed botanical art throughout my space.
The best part is that I can tell you exactly where each element came from. That pinecone is from the hiking trail near the lake. Those leaves are from my parents’ backyard. This moss came from a camping trip last spring. Every craft holds a memory of being outside.
Why This Type of Crafting Matters
In a world of mass-produced everything, creating with natural materials feels rebellious and grounding. You’re making something unique that can’t be replicated, using materials that cost nothing but required you to be present in nature.
It also helps you see beauty in things you might otherwise overlook. Once you start nature crafting, you can’t walk through a forest without noticing interesting branches, perfect pinecones, or beautiful stones. It makes you more observant and connected to the natural world.
Plus, it’s just really satisfying to make something beautiful from materials that were literally lying on the ground.
So take a walk, fill your pockets with interesting finds, and make something. Your home will feel more alive and connected to the world outside your walls.