Unique Burlap And Oxidized Sheet Metal Pumpkin Art

Did you know you can make ordinary sheet metal look like green oxidized copper? I'll demonstrate how easy it is with this unique burlap and oxidized sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall.



With this fun paint technique, you can watch the sheet metal oxidize before your eyes! But you're not limited to metal, this technique works on wood too. I've included a free printable of the pumpkin graphic should you want to give this a try.



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

DIY Sheet Metal Pumpkin Fall Wall Decor

I had so much fun with this copper oxidization process that I tried it again except with a rusted iron patina on these abstract pumpkin topiaries.



I love the challenge of creating unique fall decor that costs little money to make by shopping the home, thrift stores, and dollar store. So this fall wall decor idea is budget-friendly too by recycling a thrift store picture frame and a dollar store burlap table runner.



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

Can I Make This Oxidized Copper Pumpkin Art Without Using Tin?

Absolutely! As I mentioned earlier, you can make this framed pumpkin wall decor with balsa wood or even a disposable aluminum sheet pan from the dollar store.



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

What You'll Need To Make It

These are the supplies you'll need to make it, with the exception of the chalk paint pictured below. I had intended to use it to paint the picture frame but used the same paint as the pumpkin instead.



This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.


Supply List

Wood Picture Frame (thrift store)
Stain-Blocking Primer
Burlap Table Runner
Modern Masters Copper Metal Effects Kit
Blackened Bronze Metallic Surfacer
Brown Wax (optional)
Green Twine
1 1/2-inch Wooden Letters
Sheet Metal
Tin Snips
Safety Gloves and Goggles
80-grit Sandpaper For Metal
Hot Glue Gun



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

Here's How To Make It

We'll begin the step-by-step tutorial with how to recycle a thrift store picture frame.



Recycled Picture Frame

Because the wood frame is red, it is almost guaranteed that the tannins in the wood will bleed through the paint. To remedy that, prime it first with one coat of shellac or a stain-blocking primer to seal the wood.



Remove the backing from the picture frame and the glass. We won't be using the glass so either recycle it or set it aside for future crafting potential.



Paint the picture in the color of your choosing. I used the copper primer that came with the Modern Masters Copper Metal Effects Kit, more about the kit later.



This step is completely optional for adding an aged patina to the painted frame. Once the second coat of paint is dry, apply brown wax with a lint-free rag over the painted frame.



Burlap Picture Frame Backing

Line the backing that came with the picture frame with burlap, I recycled part of a burlap table runner. Simply wrap it around the picture frame cardboard backing and attached it with dabs of hot glue.



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

How To Create Pumpkin Graphic

Next, you'll need a pumpkin graphic to transfer onto sheet metal. I created mine in a Word document using pumpkin clip art. I've included a free unwatermarked printable, just click on the pumpkin graphic below.


Free Pumpkin Fall Wall Decor Printable

Print the pumpkin graphic on regular bond paper and use this image transfer technique to trace it onto sheet metal. You can find sheet metal in multiple sizes at your local home improvement store usually in the heating and cooling aisle where they sell furnace ducting.



As mentioned earlier, you don't have to make this pumpkin art with sheet metal. The steps are the same whether you use tin or balsa wood. For the latter, cut the balsa wood with a sharp retractable utility knife.



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

Cut Sheet Metal

Let's talk about safety. If you're using sheet metal, it is very important to use caution because the metal is sharp. Wearing protective safety gloves for metal and goggles is a must!



Carefully cut the traced pumpkin graphic with tin snips. Dull the sharp edges with 80-grit sandpaper for metal.



How To Give Sheet Metal A Green Oxidized Copper Patina

This is the fun part where we'll be using a Modern Masters Copper Metal Effects kit. This stuff is magic in a box and a simple three-step process.



Step 1 - Copper Primer

Once the tin is safer to work with, paint it with one coat of Copper Primer that comes in the kit. Wait 30 minutes before applying a second coat.



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

Step 2 - Copper Paint

Once the second coat of copper primer is dry, paint one coat of Copper Paint that comes in the kit. My apologies for the blurry photo below. Wait two hours before brushing the second coat. While the paint is still wet, move onto the next step.



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

Step 3 - Green Patina Aging Solution

While the second coat of copper paint is still wet, spray the Green Patina Aging Solution where you want oxidization on the sheet metal pumpkin. I did it on the leaf portion ONLY of my metal pumpkin.



You can see the oxidization process starting to work right away in the photo above and then after about thirty minutes in the photo below.



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

While the oxidization process was happening I dabbed a scrunched lint-free rag over the leaf in the areas I wanted the copper color to still peek through.



Once the pumpkin was completely dry, I used a cotton swab and blackened bronze metallic surfacer to outline around the leaf, paint the pumpkin stem, and add ribs on the pumpkin like pictured above.



Once dry, attach the oxidized tin pumpkin to the burlap wrapped backing with dabs of hot glue.



Twine Pumpkin Tendrils

Attach the oxidized tin pumpkin to the burlap-wrapped backing with dabs of hot glue. For the pumpkin vine, use the pumpkin graphic as a guide and hot glue a strand of green twine from the stem to the leaf.



Leave a couple of strands hanging from the stem for the tendrils or wrap twine around the stem like I did. To curl the tendrils, dip your fingers in white school glue and onto the twine strands. Wrap the saturated twine around a pencil until dry.



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

Painted Wood Letters

Paint 1 1/2 inch wood letters with the same copper primer used on the pumpkin. Completely optional but to give the painted letters a rusted patina, rub blackened bronze metallic surfacer with a lint-free rag over the painted letters.



Once the letters are dry, reassemble the picture frame without the glass. Attach the painted letters above the pumpkin with a hot glue gun. That's it, we're done!



How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit.

The basket of painted dollar store pumpkins and the red ticking fabric pumpkins in the photo above are also handmade.



For more pumpkin inspiration you may like these 12 DIY pumpkin ideas that are easy on the wallet. Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! I hope you were inspired by this burlap and oxidized sheet metal pumpkin art idea.



Almost all of our DIY ideas have step-by-step tutorials so why not get your budget DIY on and subscribe. You can also find us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.



If you have any questions, please leave them in the comment section below or the Contact Me tab at the top to drop me an email. I love hearing from you!



If you enjoyed this DIY Sheet Metal Pumpkin Art, I'd be so thankful if you shared it with a friend and pinned it to your DIY Fall Decor or Fall Wall Art board on Pinterest.




How to make unique burlap and oxidized copper sheet metal pumpkin art for Fall with a recycled thrift store picture frame and copper metal effects kit. #fallwalldecor #pumpkincraft #diyfalldecor

I share my projects at these inspiring link parties.



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Comments

  1. This is a winner....the copper paint/verdigris treatment works on just about anything. Resin lamps are fab with it....makes anything look wonderfully old and warn.!

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    1. I know, right! It magically transforms all the things. I can't wait to try the rust kit next.

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  2. This is super cool Marie. Loved that you found the blown glass leaf too. How nice your trip sounded.
    Have a great weekend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Kris 😊 Yes, our trip was perfect. The handblown glass leaf now hangs in our livingroom window. Hope you have a great weekend too my friend! xo

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  3. Hi Marie! I can't wait to get my hands on this product and give it a try. I love how your pumpkin and leaf turned out. I snickered when I thought of the look Mr. Frugalista gave you over his frameless diploma. Hey,a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do! Right? I hope you'll share at Homestyle Gathering (if you haven't already)!
    >>>Kim

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    1. I promise Kim, once you try this product you will want to patina all the things! Have a great weekend and we'll see you next week at Homestyle Gathering ☺️

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  4. Ooh...painta and burlap...two of my favorite things! I just love this, Marie. Pinning!

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    1. Thank you very much, I'm glad you like it and appreciate the pin!

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  5. What a lovely Fall decoration. I like burlap anything. Have a good weekend.

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    1. Thank you so much Thelma, I'm glad you like it. Good weekend back to you!

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  6. This is really impressive! I am always looking for new artistic techniques to try.

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    1. Thank you so much, Cie! Like you, I am always looking at unique ways to decorate for Fall. This one will soon be on my fireplace mantel for my Fall display.

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  7. Darn it, how I wish we could find Modern Masters here in South Africa. They don't even ship here and I've been dying to play with it for the longest time. Love beautiful patina's on that pumpkin of yours Marie.

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    1. That's too bad Michelle but I can relate to your frustration. Oftentimes here in Canada I do not have access to products my fellow blogging friends to the south have, even though we share the same continent. Shipping is pricey between countries.

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  8. Marie,
    I fell in love with this picture as soon as I saw it. I adore copper and the copper pumpkin on the burlap with those twine tendrils is spectacular! Yes, that may sound "overdone" but it's spectacular to me. I see one in the works!!! Thought I could use a DT aluminum disposable pan to cut the pumpkin from and paint it copper! Love your work.

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    1. Well dang, Barb, wish I would have thought about using an aluminum disposable pan - very clever! You have to be so careful when working with tin. I'm so glad you like my pumpkin art and have fun making your version!

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  9. This is such a beautiful piece, Marie! I love the different textures! Lovely...and perfect for fall! Thanks for the great tutorial! <3

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    1. Hi Kristi, thank you! It was fun playing with the copper patina kit again and I'm glad you like the results. Happy TGIF 😊

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  10. So pretty! Love the warm fall feelings it gives off. I have chosen this as one of my features for this week's Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Link Party, which goes live tomorrow (Saturday) at 5pm EST.

    Alexandra
    EyeLoveKnots.com

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad you like the pumpkin art Alexandra and thrilled that you'll be feature it - thank you 🤗

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  11. HI Marie!
    I'm stopping back by to let you know that I've featured you at Homestyle Gathering this week. Thanks so much for sharing at Homestyle Gathering!
    >>> Kim

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    Replies
    1. I just left your party a couple of minutes ago and was thrilled to see my pumpkin art featured this week - thank you very much 🤗

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