Make a Bubblegum Machine
There may be nothing more visually appealing to children and adults alike than a gumball machine choc full of colorful gumballs. For most, buying a gumball machine isn't practical. However, for gumball enthusiasts, making a gumball machine for a counter top or side table isn't a difficult project. The resourceful gumball machine-maker need only buy a few supplies that are easily found at the local store and put them together. The result is a cute gumball machine that holds all manner of colorful candies and gum.
Instructions
Making a Gumball Machine
1. Buy the supplies for the project. You can get the terra cotta in the garden section of your local store. The bubble bowl and wooden ball can be found at stores like Walmart or craft stores like Michaels.
2. Prepare a painting area by laying out the newspapers. Since you're going to be using spray paint for this project, you may want to consider setting up a workspace in a garage or shop.
3. Paint the terra cotta pieces and the wooden ball. You may want to paint the ball a different color from the terra cotta for contrast. You can also give it a metallic look by going with a hammered iron spray paint. This paint has the look and texture of hammered iron when sprayed on and can be found in the home improvement section of your local stores.
4. Let the paint dry overnight before proceeding to the next steps. You'll want the paint to be completely dry before you add the face plate.
5. Turn the pot upside down and apply the glue to the bottom of it.
6. Place one of the terra cotta saucers on the glued portion of the pot. It should kind of resemble a bird bath, because the pot becomes the gumball machine base and the saucer becomes the "bowl" of the bath.
7. Glue the wooden ball to the underside of the other saucer.
8. Let the glue for both the "bird bath" portion and the ball and saucer portion dry overnight.
9. Create the faceplate for your gumball machine. The appropriate dimensions for this are about 2 ½ inches by 2 ¼ inches. You can be creative with this by adding graphics like clowns, balloons or bubbles. You can create your label either by hand drawing it or using a computer graphics program.
10. Print off or cut out your faceplate graphic.
11. Spray the graphic with a clear gloss and let dry according to the instructions on the can.
12. Glue the faceplate on the front of the gumball machine base.
13. Spray all the pieces with the clear gloss. Let dry according to the instructions on the can.
14. Apply glue to the bottom of the bubble bowl and then set the bowl on top of the "bird bath." The opening should be facing the ceiling. Make sure that the bowl sits in the center of the base.
15. Let the glue dry.
16. Add the hard candy or gum to the bowl.
17.Place the saucer with the ball on top of the glass ball. The saucer with the ball becomes the gum machine's top piece.
Tags: gumball machine, terra cotta, bird bath, wooden ball, according instructions, ball saucer, bubble bowl