DIY Retro Style Gumball Machine Stand

Since bubblegum is one of my very favorite flavors in the whole wide UNIVERSE, I’ve always wanted to have one of these retro gumball machine stands. I’ve actually had plans for the last decade to someday turn one into a fish tank, would that not be the best aquarium ever!?

Alas, I am in no state to take on any more pets/lifeforms to take care of, I feel like even adding a beta fish right now would just push me over the insanity limit. My pets take so little time from me but you know when you’re just so busy that even thinking about thinking about something new in your life is like way too much?! Of course you know! You’re crazy busy too!

Well lucky for you, and especially me, this project took like maybe an actual half hour out of my life and now I have an adorable little gum ball machine stand reminiscent of the retro ones I’ve always wanted.

Not so reminiscent of the actual stands, though, was the price of this sweetie! DIYing this cute little version only cost $15, whereas the stands you can find online run you a minimum of $60.  Of course this one isn’t sturdy glass and metal (it’s plastic with a metal stand) and therefore probably won’t last you as long but if you’re anything like me, you know you may not always have a need/desire for a pink gumball machine so whipping one up real quick, for 1/3 the cost, even if it only lasts you a couple years, is A-OK.

And, with a little metallic spray paint, I think this machine looks just as good as the real thing! Except it’s more appropriate for a toddler’s room and I was able to make it the height I wanted. I love our custom little bubblegum machine stand! Click “read more” below to see how I made it and make one for yourself!

Materials
• stand *(see note) //
• plastic bubblegum machine //
• spray paint in desired color //
• metallic silver spray paint //
• gorilla glue //
• painters tape

*I found that tons of floor lamps have appropriate bases for this project. Check your local thrift store or online classifieds for a cheap (or even free!) lamp (or side table) with a base that can be removed.

1. I found my lamp at a thrift store ($5) and I didn’t want to take the whole thing home so I dismantled it there (it unscrewed in the middle then I cut the cord and removed it) and took just the base home, so excuse my crappy photo of the lamp :)
2. I found my bubblegum machine at Ross, these are everywhere though so just look around! Mine was $5
3. Cover the globe part and the silver part of your machine with painters tape and spray paint the rest your chosen color, I used Krylon Ballet Pink.
4. Also paint all your other pieces you want to be this color (stand, base and top of machine)

5. After giving your piece several quick coats and allowing time to dry, remove painters tape from the silver part and lightly cover the part surrounding it with tape (the pink part) ***IF I were to do this again, I would actually reverse these steps and do the silver painting first, then the pink. There is less silver to cover with tape so it’s less likely to be a problem getting pulled off by the tape.

6. Apply gorilla (or other strong) glue to top of your base and then affix the base of the gumball machine on it. Be sure to center it and also take into account how it is posititioned. For instance, I wanted the stand to go against the wall with one foot facing forward so I made sure to put the indents where the machine will slide onto it to the sides.

7. Allow to dry fully, remove painters tape, fill with bubble gum and enjoy!

I wanted this machine to be about Stella’s height so that she was less likely to knock it over trying to get at the gum and also so that she can help herself (when she’s old enough :D) and also because that was the perfect height to fit where I wanted it in her room haha so I picked a base that was shorter. If I were making this for a family area, for an adult, or for myself, I’d shoot for a little taller. It just depends on your preferences!

Stella gets very excited every time she see’s it with lots of  “uh uh uh”s and reaching. Yes, she already knows what bubblegum is and is very good at chewing it, never trying to swallow and giving it back to me when its out of flavor. She discovered it one day in my craft room when I wasn’t paying close enough attention and she is so my child and cannot be held back from it now haha! I try to usually not let her have the sugary bubblegum and just tiny bits of other gums occasionally but this week, since I’ve tortured her with the booger-sucker a lot (we had a cold all week) I’ve rewarded her with a piece every day. Eh, can’t be a perfect parent *shrug*

pst! Grab that beautiful floral stripe print for free right here