Dryer Vent Pumpkin {Tutorial}

Courtney Carmean — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 07:00:00 +0000

Last year I made some dryer vent pumpkins. I didn’t really post a tutorial and since I was making a bunch more this year I decided to tell you how I did it. It’s super duper easy and there are a ton of ways to personalize them to your style.

I bought two different sizes of dryer vent at Home Depot. They measure 3in and 4in, I only made one size last year but I wanted to add some variety this go around. I cut them using wire cutters and scissors, making sure I had enough length by twisting the vent in a circle and giving a little extra room for gluing.

I used hot glue to attach the two raw ends of the dryer vent together. Side note: the metal of the dryer vent will get very hot once the hot glue is applied and your pressing it together. Not that I learned that the hard way or anything!!!

Once they are glued it’s painting time. This is where you can change things up to match your style! Want more neutral colors? More vibrant colors? How about metallics??? I used Heirloom White and Real Orange by Rustoleum.

Once the paint was dry it was time to add a “stem”. I used a cinnamon stick and glued it into the center of the pumpkin. You can use a stick from the yard or a cut piece of wood, whatever you fancy! I also added a bit of spanish moss for a little texture and warmth.

I love the orange ones….but I’m totally crushing on the white ones!!!

I love them! I’m bringing a ton to my show on Friday (If you live on the California Central Coast and your interested in attending please let me know!)

Linking up to these great link parties!!!

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Don’t forget to link up to Time to Shine this week! I love looking through all the inspired goodness and featuring all your beautiful creations!

Unusual Finds

Courtney Carmean — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 13:00:00 +0000

Sometimes when your out thrifting you come across something you like but can’t quite figure out what it does, what you’ll do with it, or even what it is. But you know you like it. I say, if it’s something you really love, get it. At some point you will find a purpose for it, a place for it. The other day I happened upon this, what I can only assume was a part of a light fixture. With the fall season on the brain I instantly thought it looked like a pumpkin! I had a couple challenges though, it had this weird part that stuck out of the “bottom” so it wouldn’t sit flat on a table.

Like I said, eventually something will come to you. It may just come to you while you are once again thrifting and you find that one thing that will complete the puzzle. Here is the “pumpkin” and the other element that made it all come together:

Here is that little part that stuck out of the bottom making it hard to place on a flat surface:

So I painted the base in a flat black (I am realizing that I REALLY love flat black) and placed a few rocks inside the base to make sure that it wouldn’t become top heavy. I then used some E6000 glue to attach the “pumpkin” to the base. Once that was dry I attached the beaded garland to the top with hot glue. I got the garland at Michael’s. Here is the finished product:

Here it is with a candle inside….I LOVE the light that it emits and the cool design that it casts on the wall!

So don’t be afraid to think outside of the box, do something a little different. It may not work, but then again you may end up with something that you LOVE! And I have to say, I LOVE this!!!

Linking up to:

DIY Pumpkin – A Diamond in the Stuff

Dryer Vent Pumpkin {Tutorial}

Unusual Finds