You guys! I couldn’t be more excited with how this quick little project turned out! I’ve had this sweet little white gumball machine for almost two years now. It has sat on a shelf in my office with gumballs I added to it since I thrifted it at a local Goodwill store. At Christmas I transformed it in to a sweet snowglobe, you can see it HERE towards the bottom of the post. So many people went crazy when I showed a sneak peek on Instagram. I knew as soon as I packed up my holiday decor exactly what I wanted to do with it, so today I’m sharing how I easily created this Gumball Machine Succulent Planter in minutes.
Supplies:
Gumball machine, any size – check local thrift stores if you don’t own one
Fake succulent picks, I found mine at Michaels
Small white pea gravel, I used fish tank gravel
Begin by disassembling your gumball machine. Unscrew the top lid off.
At this point you can either take out the middle stem of the machine by unscrewing the nut if you don’t want it in your design. If you remove it you won’t be able to screw the lid back on to the top of the machine, but the lid does sit nicely on top and if it’s not getting bumped a lot it is totally fine. Otherwise leave it. I chose to take it out and save it incase I use the machine for something else.
Next you will need to cut a small piece of paper or cardstock to fit inside the well to cover where the candy / gumballs would normally be dispensed. Replace any of the inside pieces you removed (except the middle stem) so you don’t lose anything.
Put the glass globe back on the base, carefully holding it in place while you spoon in your small gravel. Fill the globe as much as you’d like.
Remove the fake succulents from their long stems.
While holding the glass globe in place so it doesn’t move, carefully insert your succulents and arrange to your liking. When you’re done replace the lid and you’re done.
It turned out so great right?! I’m seriously crushing on this project. So what do you think, do you love it?
By the way, do you love the cute Stenciled Wood Box pictured below? You can check it out HERE, it is another thrift store find turned awesome. Actually everything in the picture below is thrifted, even the mini cow skull that I gave a little refresh to. I love a good bargain!
Looking for another cute planter idea? Be sure to check out my Painted Tin Can Planters, they are another great bargain idea that look amazing.
I just love how this turned out! Great job!
Thanks Bethany! I can’t stop staring at it myself, lol. Have a super week friend.
Oh, my heck! Love the way you used (and reused) your little gumball machine…..
It’s so sweet with the old truck & Christmas tree, and now a spring succulent garden!
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much Nettie! xoxo Have a great week.
This is great Thank’s for showing how it was done …..
You’re so welcome, glad you liked it. Have a super week. 🙂
Cutest little gumball machine ever! Totally love how it turned out Rebecca!
Thanks Kara! It’s seriously the cutest in person, I can’t stop looking at it! xoxoxo
Rebecca, what a creative an AWESOME idea! I love this project! Pinned and pinned!
Oh thank you Sara! So sweet of you! xoxoxo Have a great weekend.
thanks for linking to Show and Tell at Sugar Bee Crafts – – I featured you today!
Thank you so much Mandy! Have a super week! xoxo
Oh em gee! How genius is that? I love this idea and will totally be copying you. I just pulled out an old gumball machine to put on my kitchen shelves and have been hesitant to buy more gum balls since my boys don’t know how to stop at just one. I turn around and it’s empty the next day! But this! Problem solved! Thanks for rockin’ the inspiration!
Oh yay Jen, that’s awesome! Do it, you’re going to love it! Have a great week.
This is totally awesome! Found you over at The DIY Dreamer!
Thank you Kyla. So glad you stopped by, come by often! xoxox
I came over from the DIY Dreamer Link Party. This is super cute! I took a look around and can tell we’re going to be blog friends. 🙂
Yay! I’m so glad you found me, stop by often and be sure to say hello! xoxoxo
Yes! totally love this Thank you for contributing to The Sunday Brunch Magazine, So great to have you join us, kind regards Eliza & Bel x
Thank you so much ladies! So happy that you let me know about your awesome site! xoxoxox
That is the coolest succulent planter I have ever seen! I must find myself a gumball machine.
Thank you Theresa! Have an awesome weekend! xoxoxo
Wow! It’s a gorgeous succulent planter. The gumball machine is so nice idea. My sister is crazy about succulents and such small garden would be a good surprise for her. Thank you for the idea!
Thanks Jaden! That would be a fun surprise! 🙂
Hello! I absolutely fell in love with this tutorial when you 1st posted, sooo creative and unique. Today I finally thrifted my own Gumball mashine $5, yayyy!! However it was still red so just a quick coat of white spray paint first (; I even already had the white tank rocks. Can’t wait to snag a couple faux succulents to finish her off. Thanks for such an awesome post!! ♡
That’s awesome Megan! I love mine so much, in fact I’m getting ready to swap it out as a Christmas snowglobe with fake snow and tiny bottle brush trees! 😉
WOW! Creative! Pics are amazing credit to there, and credit alo the detailed tutorial easy to view and brings you in page//well done!