Ever since I first saw these cute gumball machine (candy dispensers) on Pinterest I knew my kids and I would make them… eventually. I just love them.
There’s lots of different versions out there but this post was my go to on how to make them. (I just love Lizbeth’s site.)
They are so simple and were a huge hit with my kids. So much so that we made more to give away for Christmas presents.
Materials needed:
* small fishbowl (found at the dollar store)
* terra cotta pot
* 2 terra cotta dishes
* wooden ball or bead
* spray paint
* Ribbon or stickers for decoration
* Gorilla glue
Instructions:
* Spray paint your terra cotta pot, dishes and wooden ball. Note: we couldn’t find any wooden balls without holes in them so we used ping pong balls. They worked great!) Let dry.
* Turn the terra cotta pot upside down and glue one of the dishes to the, now top, of the terra cotta pot. Glue on the fish bowl, making sure it’s straight
* Glue the wooden ball in the center of the 2nd dish, to create the top.
* Set aside and let completely dry.
* Tie a ribbon around the base or decorate with stickers.
* Fill with gumballs or candy and enjoy!
What do you think? Aren’t they adorable?
You can personalize them for everyone on your list.
We’re in Oregon, that means Oregon State Beavers and U of O Ducks.
My daughter wanted hers covered in polka dots. I thought it turned out great.
All the color combinations are going through my head now. How fun, right?! I’m thinking teacher appreciation gifts!
We’re linking to the parties located HERE.
What a cute {and easy} idea! My boys would love to make and give these to their teachers as gifts.
Thanks so much for the inspiration!
Ashley @ 3littlegreenwoods
Aren’t these the cutest?!?! My sister and I started making them with our kids about 10-12 years ago, and we have gifted MANY people with them over the years. One year, my son and I made them for ALL his teachers (I think we made a dozen) and they were a huge hit. We filled them with chocolate, though, not gumballs, which I think is why they were so popular. 😉
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
I LOVE these Erin! I can see making these with my granddaughters and then letting the hubby fill them with goodies for the girls:) The ones with polka dots and ribbons are simply the sweetest and I know they would love them!
Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving tomorrow.
Blessings, Aimee
Erin they look adorable!!!!! I love how you personalize them and also totally crazy over the polka dots! There are going to be lots of happy people this holiday season getting them for sure! Thanks for letting me inspire you and for loving my little blog! Happy Holiday Season,
Genius! Love them!
I hope you don’t mind…I used one of your photos and a link to your site on my site… https://cehalles.wordpress.com/2014/02/27/next-project-gumball-machine/
Hi Connie – Thanks for the comment and for letting me know. Can you change your link on your post to go to my blog, please, rather than blog lovin’? I would appreciate it!
I MADE THIS IN SOME OF THE FRATERNITY AND SORORITY COLORS AND PUT THE GREEK LETTERS ON THEM. I GAVE ONE FOR A CHRISTMAS PRESENT AND THEN THE ORDERS STARTED COMING IN. IT IS A BIG HIT.
So glad you made these and that they were a hit. They sure are adorable!
I am thinking of making these for my daughter’s Bat Mitzvah. I am thinking of attaching the seating cards based on which table they are sitting at. I am doing a sweets theme, such as s’mores table, candy table, carnival table (cotton candy &candied apples), chocolate fountain table, cookie table, etc. I would fill each of the gumball machines with the theme from each table. This looks like such a fun project.
This is such a cute idea.. I’m totally trying this.. But I been looking for the wooden ball & beads and can’t find any?? Were did you purchase them or should I be checking craft stores for them?? Thank you?
You can find them at a craft store or on Amazon.
What kind of spray paint did you use they are very shiny. Love them!
Oh my gosh, I don’t know. I just bought the cheapest kind at the store but it was a gloss.
Hi I made one and the inside of the bowl smell like paint will that go away and is it safe to put candy that’s not wrap in there
There shouldn’t be any paint or anything inside the glass bowl. You paint the terra cotta pot, not the glass. Hope this helps.
This is an awesome gift! Do you spray paint the inside of the pot? I noticed some use spray paint and some use folk art paint – is there a difference? Do you use decals for Oregon gumball machine?
I didn’t spray paint the inside of the pot because no one will see it. But you can. And I used stickers for the Oregon ones. =o)
Thank you for the information – I’m going start my project soon