DIY Metallic and Glitter Gourds

I can’t resist re-posting this DIY Metallic and Glitter Gourds project. One because I loved making them and how they turned out and secondly, I gave away many of my glitter gourds and wanted to make them again for this year’s table.

A few years ago, when I pulled out my Fall/ Thanksgiving storage bins, I realized I had many more faux gourds than I remembered. Shhhh.. don’t tell but I do have a little problem of over buying craft and decorative items when I see them!

The bright shiny oranges and greens do not really go with my decor and, while fun for a harvest table, I wanted to get out the spray paint and glitter to give them an update for my Thanksgiving table.  I took a trip to my local Michael’s and loaded up on some supplies. You can do the same – but if you don’t get there in August, all the Fall decor is gone!  So I created the Amazon DIY Glitter and Metallic Gourds Shop with everything you need for this project.

• Top row, middle column is Krylon Brushed Metallic nickel
• Middle row, middle column is Krylon Brushed Metallic caramel latte (or use sparkling canyon)
• Bottom row, middle column is Krylon ivory gloss

I took a pretty deep cardboard box and cut off the top flaps of the box so I had a four-sided open box. I kept the top flats for drying the painted gourds. I took the box outside to spray the gourds.  Put on a pair of disposable gloves so you do not get paint all over you. I forgot to do this at first and had to use turpentine to get the paint off my hands.  Hold the gourd inside the box and spray it on all sides.  This really helped keep the mess down.

Set the spray-painted gourd down on one of the cardboard tops to dry.

Spray all the gourds in the first color and then repeat the process with additional color paint

It took several coats to cover the bright fall colors.

TIP: if you want the bottom to be painted – start painting the bottom first and set down to dry – then paint the sides and top.

 

For the glitter gourds, I placed down a large piece of craft paper on my table and taped the stems on the gourds with painters tape.  I poured Aleene’s Tacky Glue into a small disposable cup (I used a cup like this one that you can get at any fast food restaurant for ketchup) and using a sponge brush I painted the glue on the gourds.  (For the gold and silver glitter ones I painted right onto the colored gourds, but for the white glitter I painted the glue over a gourd painted ivory.) Immediately after applying the glue I sprinkled the glitter onto the gourd over a disposable bowl.  I shook off any excess glitter into the bowl and scooped it out of the container with a spoon, re-applying it to the gourd.  Any spots that did not have glue, I dabbed the sponge brush with glue on the spot and re-glittered.  when I was finished, I poured the excess glitter back into its container.  It did not get clumpy when I reapplied the glue and glitter, but I did miss a few spots (can you see them?).  If I have time, I will go back to touch up later…

I sprayed the glitter gourds with hairspray to seal them because I didn’t have a clear sealant spray and I didn’t feel like going back to the store. It did make the glitter fly around when I did it, so be sure to do this outside or where you do not want glitter everywhere!  The hairspray worked just fine, but I now have the clear acrylic coating spray for this time around.  I think it will be better because it won’t yellow over time.

Note 1: If the glue is too thick, add a drop or two of water

Note 2: I did not change out the glue brush or bowl when doing the three colors, but I did do the white first so that it stayed cleanest.  I poured the excess glitter back into its jar after I was finished and wiped out the bowl before the next color.  The glitter is tiny and does stick to the bowl so that is why I did the white first.  A little mixing of silver and gold was not visible on the gourds.