A Firkin Fall Centerpiece

I created a firkin fall centerpiece from a garage sale find!

I saw a beauty from across the dirt packed pavilion on a recent trip to Vintage Market Days, I was looking for an ice cream bucket on that particular trip but this was not an ice cream bucket …

Side note: I did find an ice cream bucket and I love her. You can see her here and here.

The vendor referred to it as a firkin, not a bucket. But these primitive wooden vessels – some painted, some with iron banding, a few with handles and in all different shapes and sizes were gorgeous. Think of the possibilities!

And then she told me the price …

ARE YOU FIRKIN KIDDING ME?

I love a play on words and a 12 year old sense of humor but I digress.

I walked away from the firkins that obviously had the secrets to anti aging, eating bread and still fitting in real pants and other life secrets because why else would they be so expensive?

Then all glory days a bit later I found this popcorn bucket at a garage sale for $1!

A Firkin Disguised As A Popcorn Bowl

That popcorn bowl was getting “fifth sparrow-d no more” and being recreated as a firkin – a firkin fall centerpiece that is!

First Steps To Create A Firkin Fall Centerpiece

• Clean the firkin with Heirloom Traditions Paint Deglosser. This cleans, etches and prepare your surface for painting. NO deactivation (water rinse) required after. Use a chip brush to apply the product and a green scrubbie pad to clean the surface. Wipe clean with a towel or old t-shirts.
• Tape the metal bands with painter’s tape. This will keep the paint off of them in the next step!

• I used Heirloom Traditions Paint in Bone, a white that’s not too white but not creamy! It also has great coverage and I only needed one coat.
• After letting the paint dry use the micro sander to scuff the edges and anywhere else you would like the wood to show through.

Saving Money When Making A Firkin Fall Centerpiece

Ideas For Inexpensive Centerpiece Fillers

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Create Your Own Floral Picks

• Gather skewers and toothpicks.
• Insert wooden skewers into the bottom of larger items.
• Use toothpicks in mini pumpkins to create instant fillers for small spaces in your centerpiece.
• Don’t buy expensive feathers in the floral department – purchase crafting feathers and attach to a wooden skewer.

Shop Smarter Not Harder

• Look in the Dollar Tree for floral supplies like styrofoam, flowers and more. I got my favorite part of the firkin fall centerpiece at the Dollar Tree!
• Shop the clearance bins year round! I shop for the holidays all year long.
• Amazon has great prices on floral items.

Hold It Together

Styrofoam can be cut down with a steak knife from your kitchen, no need for fancy tools!

A Firkin Fall Centerpiece

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Small Pumpkins | Truffula Tree Picks | Feathers

Bigger Pumpkins | Berry Picks | Lamb’s Ear

I used feathers, pumpkins and what I am calling Truffula Tree (who are my Dr. Seuss fans?) floral picks. They are bit like the clovers in Horton Hears a Who too!

Fall berry picks and lamb’s ear leaves were added into the centerpiece for more texture and color.

Before You Fly Away To Create A Firkin Fall Centerpiece

What fabulous garage sale find will you firkin fall in love with, repurpose and fill with your own fall centerpiece? Pin this post to Pinterest to help you make a firkin fall centerpiece of your own – hover over any picture or the image below to save it to your account. So easy! 

I’m Kristin, CEO aka Creative & Energetic Owner of The Fifth Sparrow No More. I’m so happy that you’re here! I want you to be able to find the beautiful in yourself and in your home. We will do that through learning what God says about us and decorating and DIYing in thrifty and purposeful ways.

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