After a quick bath to remove some dust and grime, I started by painting a plain coat of white paint over everything. I used white acrylic paint, but you could also use gesso to prepare the surface. I've had this little craft pumpkin for years and it was looking a bit run down. Nothing a little paint can't fix! Read how I did the transformation or watch the video.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd7595_d786fbef7c5145d5b250561211c0ba21~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_47,h_39,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cd7595_d786fbef7c5145d5b250561211c0ba21~mv2.png)
Crafting pumpkins can be pretty pricey until they go on clearance. I was thrilled to find this old craft pumpkin as I was digging through my fall decorations this year. It was the perfect specimen for a polka dot pumpkin makeover!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd7595_0c997d7262974567ba69158d35800703~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cd7595_0c997d7262974567ba69158d35800703~mv2.jpg)
After a quick bath to remove some dust and grime, I started by painting a plain coat of white paint over everything. I used white acrylic paint, but you could also use gesso to prepare the surface.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd7595_c892a2895840444eb7fc6f91099cc2e4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cd7595_c892a2895840444eb7fc6f91099cc2e4~mv2.jpg)
Once the base coat was dry, I covered everything but the stem with metallic white paint. I used Pearl White by FolkArt brand. I ended up needing two coats of the pearl white. I recommending drying each coat with a hair dryer before adding the next one.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd7595_3f44cc6698fe40cd90bb606a48e373eb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cd7595_3f44cc6698fe40cd90bb606a48e373eb~mv2.jpg)
Next, turn the rim of a water bottle cap to coat it with gold metallic paint. I used FolkArt Gold Enamel paint because it was a bit darker than the other gold acrylic paint I had. It went on thick, so I was happy with the effect. I carefully stamped gold circles on the surface of the pumpkin. They weren't perfect, but I liked the unfinished look of them, so I kept them that way.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd7595_0e7a46cce26c43d39dfbb451d86407e4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cd7595_0e7a46cce26c43d39dfbb451d86407e4~mv2.jpg)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd7595_cbb94a0f64c54597a38db6e647ddbfff~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cd7595_cbb94a0f64c54597a38db6e647ddbfff~mv2.jpg)
With a flat paintbrush, pained the inside of each gold circle with my three colors; Peacock Pearl, Copper, & Festive Green (DecoArt Metallic Paint). Two coats gave the perfect coverage.
I felt that it needed a little something more though, so I grabbed another, large bottle cap, and added another gold ring around each polka dot.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd7595_df20ea90d87841a2bdf200dce44222a1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cd7595_df20ea90d87841a2bdf200dce44222a1~mv2.jpg)
Once again, the messy unfinished gold circles really give this little polka dot pumpkin some character!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd7595_490f0f2bdbf04042bcfab1441c528270~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_196,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cd7595_490f0f2bdbf04042bcfab1441c528270~mv2.jpg)
A couple coats of gold paint on the stem and this pumpkin was ready to be added to my fall decor!
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd7595_d0d17feb46ed4d5ebf10da81168dfde4~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_147,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cd7595_d0d17feb46ed4d5ebf10da81168dfde4~mv2.jpg)
It was the perfect addition to the pumpkins on my fireplace. The colors on this project matched the pop of color pumpkins shelf sitter that I made earlier this season.
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cd7595_7ab493b1fd5c4942b107732e17ba93d7~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_147,h_220,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/cd7595_7ab493b1fd5c4942b107732e17ba93d7~mv2.jpg)
Here's the video tutorial for your viewing pleasure:
Be Creative, Be Artistic, & Get Connected at The Painted Toad!