Here’s a fun low waste and nature-inspired valentines idea for your little bee lover. These mini bees are so easy to make using any small pinecones, embroidery floss and paper. I’m using redwood cones since they are plentiful where we live. My son loves to collect them and I love how the little remnant of a stem resembles a stinger. For the wings I’m using scrap pieces of tracing paper. You can also leave the thread longer at the end if you’d like to be able to hang them!

Materials:

– small pinecones (I’m using redwood cones)
– embroidery floss
– transparent paper, such as tracing paper
– cardstock
– rubber alphabet stamps

How to make pinecone bee valentines

Step 1: How to make mini bees

Wrap the embroidery floss around the pinecone several times to create the stripes on the bee. I secure the floss on each end by winding it around several times over itself.
– Fold a piece of paper in half and cut out a pair of wings. Glue the wings on, or you can also use another piece of embroidery thread to tie them on and also to add a hanger.

Step 2: How to assemble your valentines

Use a rolled up piece of washi tape, sticky wax or tacky glue to attach each bee to a card. Write or use rubber stamps and ink to add a valentines message. Ours reads “Bee Mine”