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Duct Tape and Denim

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Misc Thrift Store Makeovers

How to Make a Gumball Machine Fairy Garden

Today’s thrift store makeover challenge is something REALLY different for me!  No painting involved and the only tool I used was my trusty hot glue gun!  Around Christmas, I saw some old gumball machines turned into cute snow globes.  Then I saw one with succulents planted in it.  So I thought I would mix the gumball machine trend with the fairy garden trend!  All I needed was a gumball machine.  I’ve NEVER seen one at a local thrift store but amazingly on my next thrifting trip to Goodwill, there it was!  And only $2.99!

Supplies for my gumball machine fairy garden

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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.

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Supplies for Gumball Machine Fairy Garden

  • gumball machine – I found mine at Goodwill but there are LOTS on Amazon.  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.

Making gumball machine fairy garden

Glue the reindeer moss to the base, building up a little at the back.

Reindeer moss in gumball machine fairy garden

Then play with the fairy garden miniatures until they’re where you want them.

Fairy garden bridge gate hedgehog in thrifted gumball machine

Replace the glass globe and gray plastic piece, then screw the nut back on.

Close up of thrifted gumball machine DIY fairy garden tutorial

Once the top is screwed back on your simple gumball machine fairy garden is complete!

DIY fairy garden in thrifted gumball machine tutorial

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!

Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!

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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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AntiqueFarmHouse

Thrifted gumball machine fairy garden DIY


21 Comments

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Comments

  1. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says

    March 23, 2017 at 5:46 am

    Super cute idea and great upcycle! Visiting from Thrift Store Upcycle.

    Reply
  2. Erlene says

    March 23, 2017 at 1:00 pm

    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!

    Reply
  3. Ali B says

    March 24, 2017 at 12:30 pm

    This is just too cute! Those little mushrooms and hedgehog are just adorable. What a great upcycle idea!

    Reply
  4. michelle james says

    March 25, 2017 at 8:11 am

    Oh my goodness! I love fairy gardens & in a gumball-that is so adorable!!

    Reply
  5. Sue Purdy says

    March 25, 2017 at 9:10 am

    This is the cutest thing ever. I love miniatures and this one makes me smile. Lovely job and perfect for spring and summer decor.

    Reply
  6. Michelle James says

    March 26, 2017 at 5:04 am

    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!!!

    Reply
  7. Lora Green says

    March 26, 2017 at 7:43 pm

    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!

    Reply
  8. Kim says

    March 26, 2017 at 8:03 pm

    This is so sweet, Sam!!

    Reply
  9. Debrashoppeno5 says

    March 27, 2017 at 4:15 am

    This is so precious. What a great upcycle.

    Reply
  10. Kim~madeinaday says

    March 27, 2017 at 7:17 am

    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

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      March 27, 2017 at 8:47 am

      I saw another last week and it was $12.99. And not even as cute as this one!

      Reply
  11. Toni | Small Home Soul says

    March 27, 2017 at 7:38 am

    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!

    Reply
  12. Ashley ~ 3 Little Greenwoods says

    March 27, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    Cutest gumball machine I’ve ever seen!

    Reply
  13. Amanda @ The Kolb Corner says

    March 28, 2017 at 8:11 am

    Oh my gosh I think fairy gardens are SO adorable! Love this idea! Now I must be on the lookout for a gumball machine 🙂

    Reply
  14. Maureen says

    March 28, 2017 at 4:53 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • ducttapeanddenim says

      March 28, 2017 at 5:37 pm

      Thanks! I never had either. Then I saw ANOTHER one this week!

      Reply
  15. Michelle says

    April 13, 2017 at 12:39 am

    I love fairy gardens and this is such a cute idea. So creative and a brilliant way to repurpose a gumball machine

    Reply
  16. Sharon@BlueWillowHouse says

    April 15, 2017 at 11:47 am

    Oh so cute. Thank you for sharing your gumball machine fairy garden at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party!

    Reply
  17. Marilyn Lesniak says

    April 15, 2017 at 5:03 pm

    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!

    Reply
  18. Janet Trieschman says

    April 28, 2017 at 12:33 pm

    We’d love to have you share your post with us at #CCBG we pin all entries http://tryit-likeit.com/link-party-it

    Reply
  19. Kathy A says

    April 23, 2020 at 6:10 pm

    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!

    Reply

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