Nice idea!
I made this antique gum ball machine (and the accompanying gum balls) in three parts so I could use them in more ways. Because the stalk of the machine is separate I can have the bowl portion sit on a counter, etc. I did three gum balls (dots) in a stamp so I could get a few of any given color in a go. Sort of random, but still controllable.
I can’t wait to fill it up with incongruous things like fruit or fish or God Knows what.