How to Create a Gothic-Romance Pumpkin Craft for Under $20

If you have looked at Halloween decor this year, you may have noticed that Gothic Romance decor is popular this year. And, if you follow posts about Dollar Tree Crafts you have likely seen pumpkin hangers made from serving trays. I wanted to show you how to create a Gothic-Romance Pumpkin Craft for under $20. Different versions of this craft have been around for a few years. I wanted to change it up a bit and go Gothic, Romantic Gothic, that is! This Dollar Tree DIY “pumpkin wall hanger” is the perfect addition to fall décor. If you want a craft that is Halloween-ready and yet upscale & unique, then get out your glue gun, and let’s get crafting.

Supplies Needed for Your Dollar Tree Gothic-Romance Pumkin Craft

• Item Total
• 3 oval, metal, Dollar Tree trays, $1.25 ea. $3.75
• piece of wood or vine for stem (about 4 to five inches long) free
• Large silk leaves
• dusty pink flowers $1.25 ea. (Used two) $2.50
• small plastic skulls $1.25 $1.25
• hot glue
• E6000 glue
• White (or cream) spray paint $5.00 $5.00
• drop cloth
• ribbon & floral wire for bow (or pre-tied bow) $1.25
• wire, or piece of twine for hanger: I used wired rope from Dollar Tree $1.25
• drill, or nail & hammer to punch holes

Note: I didn’t include the cost of glue, glue gun, hammer, etc.

Step One

Remove stickers and glue from oval metal trays. Decide where your trays will overlap, then cover that area with a thin piece of masking tape. This will prevent spray paint from interfering with the bonding power of the E6000 & hot glue.

Step Two

Lay out your drop cloth. Spray the trays with several light coats of paint, letting the trays dry between coats. After completely dry, flip over and paint the other side of trays.

Step Three

Remove the masking tape. Line up your first two trays. Add E6000, according to package directions, to the middle of one taped area. Add enough hot glue above & below the E6000 to hold the trays as the liquid glue sets. Push the trays together until hot glue is set. After E6000 has set, add the third tray using the same method.

Step 4

Add a thin glaze of bronze-colored paint around the edges of the trays, and in the center of each of the trays. I used hot glue to add the stem to the back of the pumpkin, BUT I ended up moving it to the front (See finished project).

Step 6

Cut the end off of a rectangle of a floral-foam block (not the soft type that you use with water). I got mine from Dollar Tree. Place hot glue in the center of the foam, and E6000 glue on each side of the hot glue. Press in place until the hot glue is set. Let E6000 glue set for at least 30 minutes before continuing.

When I am creating a floral display, I find my center/focal point (in this case a large flower with a skull in the center). From there, I build outwards towards the outside edge of the floral foam.

Make sure that the floral stems are not protruding from the back of the foam, or you will have trouble gluing the arrangement in place.

When you are gluing the arrangement in place, apply pressure to the center of the floral foam until the hot glue has set.

My Finished Project: Gothic Pumkin Wall Hanger

Of all the wall and door hangers that I have made, this Dollar Tree Gothic-Romance Pumpkin Craft is one of my favorites! It has such a polished, put-together look that it would easily pass for a high-end boutique buy. I kept catching myself singing Sarah’s song from Hocus Pocus the whole time I worked on this project. This project seems to fit her aesthetic, don’t you think?

You could personalize these hangers further with vinyl wordage, house numbers, or a family monogram. Ready to create your amazing Dollar Tree Gothic-Romance Pumkin Craft for Under $20 hanger? Let that creative urge flow…. pumpkins, skulls, and vines, oh my!! I’d love to see your final result. If you’d like to share, drop a comment & photo.

Want more unique projects? Then pop over and check out my other pumpkin projects.

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Happy Fall Y’all!

Vikki