Faux Gumball Machines!

So I was needing a quick, cheap craft to send to my sister-in-law for part of her finals week care package.  Pinterest to the rescue!  Faux gumball machines!

My BFF made one for me for my birthday (it matches our kitchen colors...awesome!):

So I made a mini one to send to my SIL.

I went to Hobby Lobby (after trying Walmart and Dollar Tree without any luck), resigned to the fact that I'd spend a small fortune.  I was pleasantly surprised!  My little glass bowl was 50% off, but even if it wasn't, it was only $1.50.  (It had a "lip" on top of it, I couldn't find a SMALL glass bowl the right size without one...which was frustrating.  But, moving on...)  I bought the small terra cotta pot for about $2, and a pack of 6 "saucers" for $3.  I already had wooden knobs from previous crafts, and ribbon/paint/sealer.  Some cheap candy, glue (I buckled down and got some E6000 glue, as I wasn't sure how I felt about hot gluing glass), and we were good to go!  A full tutorial can be found at the original post HERE.

I think my black-pink-and-white version is pretty classy.  :)  I love the sparkly argyle ribbon. 

The top looks a little goofy because of a lip on the glass bowl, but at least it doesn't slide around/off like ours does sometimes. :)  I think it's still pretty cute. 

The larger versions of these are still pretty affordable.  And HUGE.  Our average-sized one holds 7 POUNDS of M&Ms.  It would be a fun cookie jar, too.  I think I'll make one for my classroom to hold erasers or stickers or something like it.  :)  The smaller versions of these would be fun for a nice party favor (if your party has 6 or less...I think they're too expensive to make a TON, but for a small, special occasion...)

I love getting inspired by other people's ideas, don't you?  :)