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.

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.

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.

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.

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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

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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