{"version":1,"atom":{"id":"50adc0d5-418f-5382-b968-290222506761","slug":"cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0","title":"Pumpkin Pencil Holder","teaser":"Turn cement, a balloon, and rubber bands into a pumpkin-shaped pen holder.","category":"holidays-occasions","time_bucket":"weekend","budget_bucket":"under_20","difficulty":"intermediate","kids_friendly":false,"mess_level":"high","supervision_level":null,"indoor_outdoor":"indoor","estimated_time_minutes":1440,"topic_tags":["halloween","pumpkin","desk-decor","balloon-mold","cement-craft","back-to-school"],"occasion_tags":[],"materials":[{"name":"Balloon","quantity":"1"},{"name":"Cement (fine/self-leveling mix)","quantity":"as needed"},{"name":"Water","quantity":"as needed"},{"name":"Plastic cup","note":"holds the balloon open while you pour","quantity":"1"},{"name":"Metal tin can","note":"presses the opening into the top","quantity":"1"},{"name":"Rubber bands","quantity":"several"},{"name":"Scissors","quantity":"1"},{"name":"Protective gloves","quantity":"1 pair"},{"name":"Orange paint","quantity":"as needed"},{"name":"Paintbrush","note":"optional","quantity":"1"}],"steps":[{"index":1,"body":"Stretch the mouth of a balloon over the rim of a plastic cup to hold it open, then mix the cement into a pourable slurry and fill the balloon with it.","image":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/01.jpg","feed_image":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/01_feed.jpg","tip":"Work fast while the cement slurry is still pourable and wet.","video_segment":{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/clips/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/step-0.mp4","start_s":0,"end_s":8.96,"poster":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/01.jpg"},"screenshots":[{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/01_shot_01.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":1.29,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/01_shot_02.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":2.57,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/01_shot_03.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":3.86,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/01_shot_04.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":5.14,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/01_shot_05.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":6.43,"alt":""}]},{"index":2,"body":"Lift the filled balloon from the cup, twist the neck closed, shape it into a smooth ball, then press the bottom of a metal can into the top to form a round opening for pens.","image":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/02.jpg","feed_image":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/02_feed.jpg","video_segment":{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/clips/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/step-1.mp4","start_s":0,"end_s":9,"poster":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/02.jpg"},"screenshots":[{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/02_shot_01.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":10.29,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/02_shot_02.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":11.57,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/02_shot_03.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":12.86,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/02_shot_04.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":14.14,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/02_shot_05.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":15.43,"alt":""}]},{"index":3,"body":"Wrap rubber bands around the still-soft ball to create evenly spaced grooves like a pumpkin.","image":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/03_shot_04.jpg","feed_image":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/03_feed.jpg","video_segment":{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/clips/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/step-2.mp4","start_s":0,"end_s":9,"poster":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/03.jpg"},"screenshots":[{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/03_shot_01.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":19.29,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/03_shot_02.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":20.57,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/03_shot_03.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":21.86,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/03_shot_04.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":23.14,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/03_shot_05.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":24.43,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/03_shot_06.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":25.71,"alt":""}]},{"index":4,"body":"Once the cement has fully cured, cut off the rubber bands and snip away the balloon with scissors.","image":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/04_shot_04.jpg","feed_image":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/04_feed.jpg","tip":"Wait until fully cured before cutting so the shell holds its shape.","video_segment":{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/clips/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/step-3.mp4","start_s":0,"end_s":6,"poster":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/04.jpg"},"screenshots":[{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/04_shot_01.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":28,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/04_shot_02.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":29,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/04_shot_03.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":30,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/04_shot_04.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":31,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/04_shot_05.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":32,"alt":""}]},{"index":5,"body":"Peel away the balloon, paint the cured cement orange, and use it as a desk holder for pens and brushes.","image":"https://brox.tv/atom_step_image/31693b610f66c37d7199618256632a8375f3736898c323ea7f7b70a704b41ba6.jpg","feed_image":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/05_feed.jpg","video_segment":{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/clips/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/step-4.mp4","start_s":0,"end_s":8,"poster":"https://brox.tv/atom_step_image/31693b610f66c37d7199618256632a8375f3736898c323ea7f7b70a704b41ba6.jpg"},"screenshots":[{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/steps/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/05_shot_03.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":37,"alt":""},{"src":"https://brox.tv/atom_step_image/2906b7d61fae11dfa732eee7ea709eaf7607c7c5539d7e9e48054175ef85dfaf.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":40.18},{"src":"https://brox.tv/atom_step_image/31693b610f66c37d7199618256632a8375f3736898c323ea7f7b70a704b41ba6.jpg","width":1280,"height":720,"timestamp_s":40.37}]}],"covers":[{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/hero_covers/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/cover-20260619-s53-gpt-image2/01.jpg","width":1600,"height":900},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/hero_covers/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/cover-20260619-s53-gpt-image2/02.jpg","width":1600,"height":900},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/hero_covers/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/cover-20260619-s53-gpt-image2/03.jpg","width":1600,"height":900},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/hero_covers/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/cover-20260619-s53-gpt-image2/04.jpg","width":1600,"height":900},{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/hero_covers/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/cover-20260619-s53-gpt-image2/05.jpg","width":1600,"height":900}],"covers_vertical":[{"src":"https://brox.tv/atom_cover_vertical/3db2c81fadc63631425997626b06279512cbd489984f1b9775942208f3c0f52a.jpg","width":1080,"height":1620},{"src":"https://brox.tv/atom_cover_vertical/b6eb73c82532d850429ffd7f1828b49da2a58d9f9e890a19c16da30edc0b4612.jpg","width":1080,"height":1620},{"src":"https://brox.tv/atom_cover_vertical/05222063a588f2957924a800322ce43c0ed781b96e876da4212cba7b86fcfdf1.jpg","width":1080,"height":1620}],"cover_vertical":{"src":"https://brox.tv/atom_cover_vertical/05222063a588f2957924a800322ce43c0ed781b96e876da4212cba7b86fcfdf1.jpg","width":1080,"height":1620},"thumbnails":[{"src":"https://brox.tv/media/icon_thumbs/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0/icon_128.jpg","width":128,"height":128}],"horizontal_clip":"https://brox.tv/media/clips/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0.mp4","horizontal_clip_aspect":"16:9","vertical_short":"https://brox.tv/media/shorts/cement-pumpkin-pencil-holder-cast-on-a-balloon-50adc0.mp4","why_it_works":"A balloon serves as a simple mold for the cement, while a metal can forms the opening for pens. Rubber bands leave pumpkin-like grooves as the cement cures, and the balloon removes cleanly without sticking.","safety_notes":"Wet cement is caustic and can cause alkaline skin burns, so wear waterproof gloves (as shown) and avoid skin contact; mix in a ventilated area to limit dust inhalation. Take care with scissors when cutting the bands and balloon free of the cured shell.","realization_potential":"0.7000","published_at":"2026-06-12T11:38:59.000Z","last_edited_at":"2026-08-30T07:25:49.494Z","article_id":null,"article":null,"author":{"id":"ed-001","display_name":"Daria Mikhailova","avatar_url":null,"job_title":"Senior Home & Interior Editor","bio":"Daria Mikhailova is the Senior Home & Interior Editor at 5-Minute Crafts, focused on cardboard furniture, wall art, and small-space organisation.","same_as":[]},"stats":{"save_count":0,"like_count":0,"realization_count":0,"comment_count":0},"top_realizations":[],"top_comments":[],"related_atom_slugs":[]}}
← Home›Pumpkin Pencil Holder
DDaria Mikhailova · Senior Home & Interior Editor
Pumpkin Pencil Holder
Turn cement, a balloon, and rubber bands into a pumpkin-shaped pen holder.
