If you stalk the Target Dollar Spot like I do, then you know there’s this really cute, glass gum ball machine circulating around for only $3. I think its absolutely adorable for Valentine’s Day and I’ve been seeing around how people are painting it and turning it into something different entirely. So I thought I would try my hand at it and see how it turned out. This DIY gum ball machine refresh was such an easy project and only took a few hours and a few materials to complete!
If you’re lucky enough to come across one of these, you should definitely get it, even if you don’t like the color. A little spray paint can do a lot of magic and I will show you just how I transformed this little piece!
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Supplies Needed for DIY Gum Ball Machine Refresh:
- Gum ball machine (doesn’t have to be the exact Target Dollar Spot one, but I would assume that is probably the cheapest one you can get if you find it).
- Spray Paint (I used Rust-Oleum 2x Ultra Cover Matte White Spray Paint and Primer in 1. I would highly recommend getting one that already has a primer in it no matter what color you end up choosing)
- Frog Tape
- Antiquing Glaze (optional)
Apply the Frog Tape on the Gum Ball Machine
The first thing I did for this DIY gum ball machine refresh project, was to apply Frog Tape around the glass part of the machine.
I didn’t apply it all the way up to save time, I just did about halfway up. I did get a slight amount of overspray above where I taped it, but you could easily scrape that off with a razor blade.
You technically don’t have to tape it, if you wanted to just scrape off the overspray after it dried, you could definitely do that.
I just thought this would save me a step at the end and it didn’t take me long to tape it. Since it is a circular piece, I couldn’t just place one piece of tape all around it.
I ended up tearing off little strips and overlaying them to cover the glass. The line wasn’t exactly perfect when I pulled it all off, but it was close enough.
I also knew I wanted to add in a ribbon there so that would hide any imperfections so I wasn’t too worried about it.
Spray Paint The Gum Ball Machine
After you have securely applied the Frog Tape, now you can easily apply the spray paint. It took me about two coats total and I let the coats dry for about an hour in between.
It’s easiest to just apply the spray paint in one swift motion, otherwise you will get a little dripping effect. There was a slight dripping effect to the very front of mine but it is hardly noticeable.
Just be sure to not be too heavy handed when applying the spray paint and you will be just fine! After applying two full coats of spray paint, I let it dry completely overnight.
Apply Antiquing Glaze
This step is totally optional, but I decided I wanted mine to look more worn and distressed. If you like the bright white color, then you definitely don’t have to do this step.
But, if you like old vintage things like I do, then you may want to apply some antiquing glaze after the gum ball machine has dried completely.
If you remember from my DIY Painted mirror, I used this antiquing glaze for that project as well.
To apply the antiquing glaze, I just dipped an old rag into the can and barely applied it onto the gum ball machine.
A little goes a long way with this. I didn’t want it to be too dark so I worked slowly and carefully when applying it.
Don’t worry if you do accidentally put too much on it, you can always rub it off if need be with a clean dry cloth. I just applied it in several different directions to make it look old and worn.
I love the way it turned out and it fits in more with all my vintage pieces after applying this antiquing glaze to it.
Add the Finishing Touches to the Gum Ball Machine
I let the gum ball machine dry after the antiquing glaze for a few hours. It didn’t need too much at all so it didn’t take long to dry fully.
Once it was dry, I added in some candy. I decided on adding the classic conversation hearts for Valentine’s Day. Another thing I also added in was a cute little soft pink ribbon as well.
I love how perfect it looks for Valentine’s Day! I regionally thought about spray painting it a soft pink, but I figured if I did it white, I could use it for multiple seasons.
For example, I am planning on putting it some jelly beans for Easter and some candy corn for Halloween!
Really the possibilities are endless with this and it will be so much fun to decorate and change it up from season to season!
Learn more about how to turn your builder grade home into something more with seasonal crafts like this here too!
This is genuinely such a cute gumball machine, I love how you changed the colours on it! Thanks for sharing this DIY, it looks so fun and easy to do x
Thank you so much! It was fun and easy to do for sure!
This looks absolutely too cute! I wish we had Target here in the UK! I will have to hunt a gumball machine around here and make it! It was a lovely DIY, thanks for sharing x
Oh yes, I heard you could order one off of Amazon too so maybe you could check there as well?
Hello, Christina from Florida, USA! I’m not sure if you have Dollar Tree stores, but you may have something similar. You can design your own with a round covered bowl (around baseball to softball size) and a square jar to act as the bottom. Look back at the Target one for assembly. I’ve seen a soda or beer can pop top used as a dispensary hole. Think about the ones you see in the stores. Also, you might check You Tube under “How to make a decorative Gum ball machine” or Pintrest for a similar design “how too”! Hope I’ve helped you out!! Best of luck!! 🎉💖👏🏻
So cool post. I love it. Such a cute gumball machine
Thanks for sharing
https://uncuaderno4cero.wordpress.com/
Thank you so much. So glad you think so.
That’s a brilliant idea. It looks great and seems really quick and easy. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you. It was very quick and easy to do for sure!
That turned out adorably and I love the fact that you can change up the contents to match each season, making it a beautiful addition to the home all year long. I have seen a few other people share their DIY with this gumball machine and each one looks so different. It’s incredible how starting with the same item, the individual personality of each person shines through so clearly!
I know right. I love that too. I love looking at how everyone else came up with theirs. So much fun!
It turned out so nice. The candy inside it adds a nice touch to it and it doesn’t require a lot of stuff. Thank you for sharing!
I am so glad you enjoyed it. It did not require a lot of stuff at all!
This looks so pretty. You’ve done a really lovely job of refreshing it.
Thank you so much Kelly. I really appreciate that!
It looks great! Super easy and fun too, you can definitely get creative with this DIY.
Thank you so much! you definitely can, that’s what is so much fun about it!
This is such a cute idea! Now I want to repaint and distress a lot of things now! Thanks for sharing such a neat DIY project x
Thank you! I love painting and distressing things!
What a cute, creative and genius idea this is! I love how you have given this a refresh! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Thank you so much Lucy! I am so glad you think so!
This is such a cute little gumball machine and I love how easily you matched it to the season’s colors! I need one of these in my house; you are right in saying it can be used for any delicious treat. 🙂
Thank you so much! It can definitely be used for anything so I can’t wait to keep using it season after season!
Omg this is so cute and looks so easy to make! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you! It was very easy and fun to make!
I miss shopping at Target, but that’s amazing the gumball machine was only $3! I love how you repainted it and added the antiquing glaze to make it look vintage!
I know right. i couldn’t believe the price. And I love that antiquing glaze too!
Oh wow, what a genius idea! This looks so beautiful, and looks so expensive too. I definitely need to give this a go xx
Hannah | https://luxuryblush.co.uk/
Thank you so much! You definitely should! It was a lot of fun to make!
I love the antiquing of this, it really looks like an expensive container afterwards. Great job.
Thank you so much. I appreciate that and I am so glad you think so too!
What a cute DIY! I love taking slightly garish things that aren’t necessarily your style and making them work for you!
Katie | katieemmabeauty.com
Yes! It’s so much fun to make them more of your own!
This is a lovely idea for a V-day gift. I like it! Thank you for sharing.
So glad you like it. Thank you so much!
This is so fun and it looks soooo elegant actually!
Awe thank you so much. I am so glad you think so!
Okay this is SO FREAKING CUTE! I’d love one of these and you could totally sell them!
Awe thanks so much girl! I would love to make more, but those dang gum ball machines are hard to find at the Target Dollar Spot lol
Great post! This looks so cute and I love that you also had fun making it. Thanks for sharing x
Thank you! I did have a lot of fun making it as well!
I love this project! What a great idea. It is so cute! Thank you for sharing!
Thank you so much. I am so glad you thought so.
I think this might be the cutest thing I have EVER seen!! You are so so clever. Thank you for sharing x x
Awe thank you so much. I am so glad you think so my friend!
Oh my gosh this is so cute! I love it so much, I will definitely be saving this to do!
Thank you so much Lex. It was a lot of fun to do!
OMG, this is just the cutest! I love that you changed the colour to something much better. I would love to do this one as well, though no clue where to get one here (no Target, and all the stores here are closed unless essential). Maybe one day I will come across one! Thanks for sharing~
Thank you so much! I hope you can find one! I have heard that sometimes you can get one through Amazon as well!
Thanks! I have tried my amazon, but sadly nothing. 🙁 Just plastic kiddie ones or real ones that are (super) expensive. Maybe one day I will bump against something similar when things are safe/normal again and I can browse stores. 🙂 I have bookmarked your page just in case!
Awe man. Well I hope one day soon you will be able to find one!
I love how you know how to make things have an antique vibe. I used to shop at the dollar section at Target a lot – but that is a dangerous section. Next thing you know, you end up spending $20! Your gum ball machine looks so cute!! Thanks for sharing this DIY 🙂
Nancy ✨ mdrnminimalists.com
Lol yes! That’s what my husband tells me. He’s like its not really a dollar spot if you spend $20 there every time lol
so cute! i wish there was a target where i lived! i might attempt to make this but for cereals HAHA!
Oh yes! That would be super cute!
This is such a cute idea! Crafting and making things is so important these days as it’s a nice way to get creative and focus on something for a while. Fab post!
Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed it! I love crafting too!
What a cute gum ball machine! It’s fun to see that you took time to design it and make it more personal! Thanks for sharing!
http://www.lifebeginsattwenty.com
Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it!
This is such a cute idea! I love the antique look you’ve given the gumball machine and the versatility of using it year round. I’m going to try and do this! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much! I am so happy with how it turned out as well. I can’t wait to use it for all the different seasons.
Just curious, do you fill the whole jar with candy? I bought a small bag of candy hearts thinking only the globe part holds the candy. I didn’t realize it went all the way down! I haven’t painted mine yet or I may have realized that! lol
Lol no I don’t. I didn’t want to have to buy another bag of candy either, so I just stuffed some paper towels down at the bottom and then poured the candy on top of that!