Today’s thrift store makeover challenge is something REALLY different for me! Â No painting involved and the only tool I used was my trusty hot glue gun! Â Around Christmas, I saw some old gumball machines turned into cute snow globes. Â Then I saw one with succulents planted in it. Â So I thought I would mix the gumball machine trend with the fairy garden trend! Â All I needed was a gumball machine. Â I’ve NEVER seen one at a local thrift store but amazingly on my next thrifting trip to Goodwill, there it was! Â And only $2.99!
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The Thrift Store Makeover Challenge Rules:
- Upcycle an item from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
- There’s no monthly theme.
- There’s no budget to stick to.
Meet the Hosts
Angela | Simply Beautiful By Angela – Meredith | Southbound Blog – Jenny | Cookies Coffee and Crafts – Angie | Grandma Creates – Gail | Purple Hues and Me – Michelle | Michelle Jame Designs – Lynne | My Family Thyme – Habiba | Craftify My Love – Marie | DIY Adulation – Kathleen | Our Hopeful Home – Michelle | Our Crafty Mom – Carmen | Living Letter Home – Ann | Duct Tape and Denim – Salvage Sister & Mister – Chas | Chas’ Crazy Creations
Make sure you follow our board on Pinterest for more upcycled decor inspiration!
Supplies for Gumball Machine Fairy Garden
- gumball machine – I found mine at Goodwill but there are LOTS on Amazon. Â I found this mini one for around $5.00.
- reindeer moss
- fairy garden miniatures – Again, there are LOTS of fairy garden sets on Amazon.  Here’s the set I bought.
- detail glue gun & hot glue sticks
How to Make a Fairy Garden in a Gumball Machine
I had never seen the inside of a gumball machine so I thought I’d take a picture just in case you, like me, was wondering how to take it apart.  That nut in the center screwed off and the gray plastic piece was holding the glass globe down.  Once the nut was off everything easily came apart.
Glue the reindeer moss to the base, building up a little at the back.
Then play with the fairy garden miniatures until they’re where you want them.
Replace the glass globe and gray plastic piece, then screw the nut back on.
Once the top is screwed back on your simple gumball machine fairy garden is complete!
More Repurposed DIY Projects
If you enjoyed this gumball machine makeover, here are a lot more projects for you by some of the best upcycling and repurposing bloggers online!
And now for more thrifty goodness!
Thanks for reading. Originally published March 23, 2017. Featured on:  Crafty Moms Share, Earth Day Ideas.
‘Til the next project,
 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
Super cute idea and great upcycle! Visiting from Thrift Store Upcycle.
Erlene says
Oh my gosh. This is so stinkin’ cute! I have a red gumball machine that I decorate for the holidays and I may just have to pull it out for spring now. Love, love, love!
Ali B says
This is just too cute! Those little mushrooms and hedgehog are just adorable. What a great upcycle idea!
michelle james says
Oh my goodness! I love fairy gardens & in a gumball-that is so adorable!!
Sue Purdy says
This is the cutest thing ever. I love miniatures and this one makes me smile. Lovely job and perfect for spring and summer decor.
Michelle James says
This is super cute and very creative. All of these little fairy gardens are so fun but putting it in the gumball machine is so unique!!!
Lora Green says
We’ve had one of these for a long time and I’ve never quite figured out what to do with it. I love this idea!
Kim says
This is so sweet, Sam!!
Debrashoppeno5 says
This is so precious. What a great upcycle.
Kim~madeinaday says
How cute and I can’t believe you found the machine for $5! I saw one not log ago and GW wanted a $20 for it. Great find and super cute vignette!
Kim
ducttapeanddenim says
I saw another last week and it was $12.99. And not even as cute as this one!
Toni | Small Home Soul says
Gosh Ann this is so cute! I love the little picket fence and those cute little mushrooms, you have started a new trend I’m sure!
Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods says
Cutest gumball machine I’ve ever seen!
Amanda @ The Kolb Corner says
Oh my gosh I think fairy gardens are SO adorable! Love this idea! Now I must be on the lookout for a gumball machine 🙂
Maureen says
Could it get any cuter!!? First of all great score finding that gumball machine. I have never seen one in a thrift store in my area! But that fairy garden inside is adorable. Love it!
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks! I never had either. Then I saw ANOTHER one this week!
Michelle says
I love fairy gardens and this is such a cute idea. So creative and a brilliant way to repurpose a gumball machine
Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says
Oh so cute. Thank you for sharing your gumball machine fairy garden at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party!
Marilyn Lesniak says
Thank you for sharing your wonderful post at #OverTheMoon. I look forward to what you will share next week! Like someone in person today! We hope you’ll come back again next Sunday when we open our doors at 6:00 PM EST. Pinned and tweeted!
Janet Trieschman says
We’d love to have you share your post with us at #CCBG we pin all entries http://tryit-likeit.com/link-party-it
Kathy A says
I love fairy gardens and gumball machines so this is a great combo. I have made some snow globe ones, but I like this one even better!