Have you ever bought yourself a Halloween treat and thought, “Wow, I wish that was real?”
This content originally appeared in the 2022 issue of Spooky Little Halloween—The Magazine. This post contains affiliate links. See the end of this post and/or my disclaimer for more.
A few years ago, an enamel pin from Layla Ashtar Shrine caught my eye: a gumball machine repurposed for candy corn and topped with a witch hat (similar + a newer design). It was the perfect blend of spooky and whimsical—just my style of Halloween!
“Wow, I wish that was real,” I thought. I didn’t need it to be functional, necessarily. I just wanted it as a piece of unique décor.
Then I realized I could probably make it, so I set to work finding everything I needed and turned a standard red gumball machine into a whimsical candy corn machine for my Halloween office!
It’s become one of my favorite pieces because you can’t buy it at a big box store, and it’s a little offbeat and unexpected.
Friendly reminder: This idea is for personal use only. I endorse inspired-by décor for your own spooky space. I do not endorse ripping off other artists’ designs and selling them as your own.
What You Need:
- Gumball machine
- Primer spray paint
- Spray paint in colors for body and metal
- Painter’s tape
- Candy corn
- Witch hat
Looking for a gumball machine? I was lucky enough to acquire mine from my mom, but I suggest checking out local thrift stores. You can also find machines similar to the one I used on Amazon for $80-100. (Less if you opt for a version without a stand.)
How to Make It:
Before we dive in, just a reminder that this DIY isn’t intended to be functional or food-safe. It is strictly decorative.
Disassemble the gumball machine and tape off any pieces you don’t want spray paint to touch with painter’s tape.
Spray the body with primer, following the instructions on the can for how many coats and dry times. Metal pieces can likely skip the primer step.
Once the primer is dry, spray with the body with your chosen color. Do the same for the metal pieces if you wish to change the color. Follow the instructions on the can(s) for how many coats and dry times.
Reassemble the gumball machine and fill the globe with candy corn. Screw on top, and attach a witch hat to the top with tape.
And that’s it! Even post-move, this piece remains a focal piece of decor in my new Halloween office. It makes me smile every time I look and it, and I love that something from someone’s imagination is a little bit of Halloween whimsy in my real life now, just for me.
Looking for more Halloween DIY inspiration?
Check out these blog posts for more ideas:
And here are a few of my fave DIYs I’ve made over the years:
This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, Spooky Little Halloween will earn a small commission for the referral at no cost to you. Read more about affiliates & disclaimers here. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
creditSource link
