How to Design a Gumball Machine

Designing your own gumball machine is an entertaining craft project.

A gumball machine is a whimsical additional to a child's bedroom or family game room. Decorative and functional, it not only adds a splash of color to a room but also dispenses tasty fruit-flavored treats. You can purchase a gumball machine at a novelty shop but making your own takes only a few hours and a handful of materials and supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Terra cotta pot, 4-inch
• Terra cotta saucers, 4-inch
• Wooden ball, 1 and 1/4 inch diameter
• Craft paintbrush
• Acrylic paints
• Clear gloss sealer
• Glue
• Fishbowl

Instructions

1. Paint the terra cotta pot, two terra cotta saucers and wooden ball using the craft paintbrush with the desired color. Set the pieces aside and let them dry.

2. Spray a coat of sealer to the painted components once they are completely dry.

3. Place the terra cotta pot face down on your worktable, so its opening is on the table's surface. Apply glue to the pot's bottom rim and affix one of the terra cotta saucers to it. The bottom of the saucer is now glued to the bottom of the pot. Set it aside and let the glue dry.

4. Place the second terra cotta saucer face down on your worktable, so its opening is on the table's surface. Glue the wooden ball to the center of the saucer. The ball serves as the gumball machine's knob. Set it aside and let the glue dry.

5. Place the terra cotta pot and saucer from Step 2 on your worktable, so the saucer sits on the table's surface. Apply glue to the bottom edge of the fishbowl and press it carefully to the top rim of the pot. The bottom edge of the fishbowl is now glued to the top rim of the pot's opening. Set it aside and let the glue dry.

6. Pour an assortment of gumballs into the fishbowl. Cover it with the saucer that has the knob glued on top of it. It serves as the gumball machine's lid.

Tips & Warnings

• If you make the gumball machine for a child, be sure to have their parent or guardian keep track of how much gum they consume.

References

• All Free Crafts: How to Make a Faux Gumball Machine
• Shopsmith Hands On: "Get A Ball" Out of Your Woodworking