Ack — we’re in the middle of painting the hall bathroom and can’t wait to finish, take photos, and share the results. While that’s still in progress, here’s a small craft misadventure that might make you smile. People often ask “what happens if you try something and it doesn’t work?” and my answer is always the same: we share it. We love showing the good, the bad, and the ugly, so here’s one of those less-successful moments.
Richmond has been raining acorns lately. They’re everywhere, and after seeing so many clever acorn projects online I got inspired to try a simple craft of my own.
I collected a few dozen acorns with the help of Clara and Burger, who were more interested in chasing and scattering them than helping me gather. Once I had a bagful I froze them overnight — a precaution against any unwanted pests or surprises, since I’d heard stories about critters lurking in acorns.
After thawing them the next day I got out a small tube of acrylic paint and removed the acorn caps so I could dip the ends into a bright yellow. At first I worried they’d roll all over the place and smear, then I spotted a jar of pretzels on the counter and had a lightbulb moment.
I used pretzels as tiny stands to hold the acorns upright while the paint dried. It sounds odd, but it actually worked — the pretzel “holders” kept the acorns steady and minimized smudging.
While the acorns dried I trimmed a cheap bouquet of faux flowers I’d picked up at Michael’s (50% off with a coupon) and arranged them in a small vase. A little trim and a simple container made them look a lot better.
The trimmed faux blooms added a subtle, understated fall touch without going overboard. Once the painted acorns were dry I placed them in a clear jar alongside the flowers for a simple seasonal display.
I swapped a few accessories on the console, replacing blue and gray books with warmer leaf-colored yellow and red volumes and added some small faux apples from my fall decor bin into a clear cylinder vase leftover from our wedding days.
I was pretty pleased with the vignette — until about a day later when I noticed something unpleasant growing on the painted acorn tips.
It was mold. Gross. I removed the jar top and took a closer look — clearly, the acorns had developed mold while sitting in the enclosed container. So much for that idea. Decorating triumph turned into a moldy fail.
What went wrong? Honestly, I think I pushed my luck with acorn crafts. I’m comfortable with glue guns, paint, and power tools, but apparently acorns require a different level of attention. Enclosed in a vase, their natural moisture and the painted surface created the perfect environment for mold to grow.
I tossed the moldy acorns and replaced them with some vintage-style printing letters for a rustic, fall touch without the risk of mold. The letters give the display personality and feel intentionally seasonal without the maintenance problem.
In the end, the easy and low-cost tweaks — trimmed faux flowers, leaf-colored books, and a few faux apples — were enough to bring a cozy autumn feel to the space. I’ll leave more delicate acorn projects to the crafters who can keep them mold-free. That said, I fully expect to try acorns again next year — maybe I’ll win the acorn battle eventually.
Have you had success with acorn crafts or found simple, non-moldy fall projects that worked well? Share your tips — I promise I’ll only pout a little if you out-craft me.