DIY Pumpkin Tray: Craft a Functional Autumn Tray

A crafted wooden autumn pumpkin tray.
  • Difficulty
    Easy

Looking for a unique way to bring some festive flair into your home this autumn? Autumn is the season for pumpkins, vibrant colours, and cosy gatherings. What better way to embrace the spirit of the season than by crafting your very own DIY pumpkin tray? This festive serving tray not only adds charm to your home but is also a fun project to engage with. Whether you’re hosting a fall dinner, looking for an item to place your belongings on, or just want to display seasonal treats, this pumpkin-shaped serving tray will make your autumn celebrations even more special.

You need
Step16

Drawing the Design

Drawing the design for the diy pumpkin tray.

The first step in this DIY pumpkin tray project is to sketch the design. Take a piece of paper and draw a pumpkin shape, or print a pumpkin template to use as a guide

Place the template on your wooden board and use a pencil to trace the pumpkin outline. Make sure your design is symmetrical and appropriately sized for your tray. If you want to create a more intricate design, feel free to add details like leaves or a curved stem to your pumpkin outline. This step is the foundation of your tray, so take your time to perfect the shape before moving on.

Step26

Cutting the Shape

Cutting wood in the shape of a pumpkin.

Once your design is sketched, it’s time to cut the wood. Using the Dremel Moto-Saw, carefully follow the pencil lines to cut out the pumpkin shape. This saw is ideal for making precise cuts, especially when working with curved designs like a pumpkin. If your design includes a stem or leaves, make sure to adjust your cuts accordingly to achieve the desired shape. The Moto-Saw ensures clean edges, but go slowly and cautiously to avoid mistakes.

Step36

Sanding the Edges

Sanding out the edges of the wooden diy pumpkin tray.

After cutting out the pumpkin shape, it’s important to sand the edges for a smooth and polished finish. Attach a sanding accessory to your Dremel 8240 and gently sand all the edges of your tray. Focus on smoothing any rough areas and perfecting the shape. Make sure the tray is safe to handle by ensuring the edges are smooth to the touch. Sanding not only enhances the appearance but also ensures the tray is safe for use. Take your time in this step to achieve a flawless surface.

Step46

Adding Details

Carving patterns to the crafted wooden diy pumpkin tray.

Now that the basic shape is ready, it’s time to give your tray some character by adding realistic pumpkin details. Using the Dremel 8240 with a carving bit, create grooves that mimic the natural lines of a pumpkin. Start at the top and carve downwards to the bottom, evenly spacing the lines to give a symmetrical look. If you’ve added leaves or a stem to your design, you can also carve fine details into these areas for an extra touch of realism. Adding these details will make your DIY pumpkin tray look more professional and festive, perfect for autumn displays.

Step56

Finishing Touches

Applying brown paint to the wooden diy pumpkin tray.

Finally, it’s time to finish off your tray and get it ready for use! Apply a food-safe finish if you plan to serve food on the tray. This step protects the wood and ensures it’s safe for holding snacks or beverages. If you prefer a more decorative tray, consider painting it with autumnal colors like orange, gold, green or brown. You could also stencil leaves or other fall motifs onto the tray for a more intricate design. Once your finish or paint has dried, your pumpkin-shaped tray is complete and ready to enhance your autumn gatherings or seasonal décor!

Crafting a DIY pumpkin tray is a fun and rewarding project that perfectly captures the spirit of autumn. Whether you’re using it to serve seasonal treats or simply as part of your autumn crafts DIY decor, this pumpkin-shaped serving tray is sure to be both aesthetically-pleasing and functional.

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Dremel-Creator-Marielle.jpg

We are Roel (on the left) and Mariëlle (on the right), a father-daughter duo who absolutely enjoy getting creative together through DIY projects. Not only is it fun to work as a team, but it's also exciting to see the results of the projects we create.

Roel is an artist with years of experience creating paintings and sculptures, specializing in abstract art. Mariëlle used to run an interior design blog and a YouTube channel where she showcased many DIY projects.When it comes to our specialty, we would say it's definitely home interior design. We love upcycling furniture and creating custom pieces ourselves.

You can check out our work on Instagram and our website. Here's where you can find us:

Tip
CONTENT CREATOR ID:
COUNTRY:  The Netherlands
YEARS OF EXPERIENCE:  many years
SPECIALITY:  Home interior design, upcycling
FAVORITE TOOL:  8240 Rotary Tool because it allows us to do so many different things with it.

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