How to Make Gold Marbled Pumpkins for Fall Decor

This tutorial shows you how to make gold marbled pumpkins for your fall decor in very little time using simple materials.

If you are new to this blog: Welcome! My name is Anna and I share information on collecting antique/vintage items, refurbishing furniture, and making small crafts/projects. The purpose of this blog is to share how to use creativity and antiques to make your home beautiful. In addition to the blog, you can follow me on the following social media accounts; Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest.

Back Story

There is so much to love about fall.  Right?  Fresh apple cider, pumpkin spice everything, outdoor fires, warm days and cool nights. It’s the perfect way to wind down after a busy summer.  Having said that, there are a few things about fall that are a little challenging for me to embrace.  Most notably, the bright hues of orange, red and yellow.  The color orange can be particularly challenging for me.  As someone who embraces neutrals with a few hints of soft pink, light blue and muted mustard – the typical fall colors can be difficult to incorporate into my home.  So, every fall, while enjoying the season, I look for creative ways to incorporate pumpkins, gourds, and leaves into my home decor while minimizing the bright hues of traditional colors. 

Decorative pumpkins are such a fundamental component of fall decor and I keep them out the entire fall season. I knew I wanted to find a unique way to incorporate them into my home. This year, I used faux white pumpkins and some metallic gold spray paint to make gold marbled pumpkins. Initially, I thought about making gold leaf pumpkins but wanted to do something a little different.  The end results were just what I was hoping for!

So, without further delay, let’s jump into this simple DIY.

​Gold Marbled Pumpkins

Although I used white pumpkins for this project, you can use any color of pumpkin you desire.  Also, I decided to try this technique on some dried gourds and was pleased with the results.  Make sure to use faux pumpkins and dried gourds that are not going to eaten.  

Supplies

You likely have most of these supplies on hand.  I used last years faux white pumpkins which I had in a variety of sizes. However, you can purchase faux pumpkins from your local craft store, Target dollar spot or the Dollar store. Where possible, I linked to online sources for the supplies noted below. 

It’s also important to note you will need to make these marbled pumpkins outside in a well ventilated area.

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Here is a list of supplies you will need to make marble pumpkins:

• Faux pumpkins.  Having a variety of sizes works best. (I recommend buying some small extra pumpkins for practice)
• Damp rag to wipe down faux pumpkins/ gourds
• A 5 gallon bucket 
• Water to fill the 5 gallon bucket 3/4 full
• Krylon metallic gold spray paint  Note: Krylon spray paint seems to work the best
• Brown craft paper to allow your pumpkins and gourds to dry.  (Or you can use some paper towels)
• Rubber gloves

Prepare Pumpkins and Work Space

First, make sure your faux pumpkins are clean.  I used a damp rag to swipe down each pumpkin to ensure any dust was removed.  Then I set up my work space outside.  Using the hose, I filled the 5 gallon bucket 3/4 full.  Next to the bucket, I laid out some craft paper on which to set the gold marbled pumpkins.  Finally, I spent a few minutes shaking the can of spray paint to ensure the contents were mixed well.

Make Gold Marbled Pumpkins

Wearing your gloves, apply gold spray paint to the top of the water in the 5 gallon bucket.  Quickly, pick up a pumpkin and submerge it into the paint-water solution.  When you pull the pumpkin out of the water, you will see a marble pattern on its surface. 

Place the pumpkin on the brown craft paper to dry.  Repeat this process for the remaining pumpkins.  I recommend starting with some smaller pumpkins and working your way up to larger pumpkins.  The smaller pumpkins are easier to practice with. 

Final Product

All in all, I was happy with how these DIY pumpkins turned out.  Feel free to Pin any of the images below if you want to save this post for future reference.

The gourds also look pretty with the subtle hints of gold on them.   It’s an easy way to incorporate fall decor into my home without all the brightly hued oranges, reds and yellows. 

Other Pumpkin Ideas

In addition to making gold marbled pumpkins, you can also try the following easy methods:

• Use a variety of acrylic paint colors and paint brushes to decorate your pumpkins.  Painting pumpkins is a fun activity for young children.
• Spray paint ceramic pumpkins
• Try making marble pumpkins in different colors (for example silver or copper)
• Make gold leaf pumpkins or gourds
• Decorate pumpkins with polka dots or stickers for Halloween.
• Apply autumn themed transfers to faux pumpkins.  Wouldn’t fall leaves look cute on top of the pumpkin?
• Use paint pens to decorate pumpkins or gourds

In Closing . . .

Thanks for stopping by the blog today.  I hope you found some fall inspiration.  

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