Don’t want to commit to the real stuff? I totally get it! Real jadeite is gorgeous, but also expensive. No problem! Make your own “jadeite” using the simple tutorial below!
You guys.
I just got back from an amazingly fun wedding weekend.
In Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Totally in the middle of nowhere – or so it seemed, but our group rocked that town like none other. You can see some of the debauchery that took place on my Instagram account.
There are so many stories from this weekend that will be making their way onto the blog.
Prepare yourself.
However, I am still trying to unpack and regain some sleep from the lack thereof this weekend.
Oh, and Better Homes & Gardens is coming to photograph my kitchen on Wednesday.
Wha What?
Yep. I found out about a week and a half ago and went into crazy mode immediately.
Needless to say, I am running around patching nail holes, touching up paint, and deep cleaning like nobody’s business.
Therefore, I have for you a very quick, very simple, very cheap DIY project:
Faux Jadeite
I love the look of jadeite, however I don’t have a whole lot of places where I can work it into my home without the kid having it obliterated in less than five minutes.
Word.
This faux jadeite is perfect because its easy to make and if a piece gets broken – it won’t be the end of your world. You’ll just need another trip to the thrift store – and ain’t nobody gonna complain about extra trips to the thrift store.
Except maybe your significant other.
But really, what do they know about good thrifting?
How to Make Your Own Jadeite
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Materials Needed:
- Glass vessels of your choice – I picked up my pieces at the thrift store.
- Krylon Pistachio Spray Paint
- Gloss Top Coat Spray Paint
Steps
Step 1
Clean your glass pieces very well. Make sure they are free of all sticker residue, grease, and grime. Let them dry fully before proceeding.
Step 2
Give each piece 2-3 light coats of Krylon Pistachio spray paint. There is probably a better acrylic paint that would match Jadeite better out there, however, I did not want to spend hours painting multiple coats of acrylic paint on glass pieces that I paid $5 for, nor did I want to have to deal with brush strokes. That’s your call though – I will support your decision either way. I will just always choose to take the faster solution.
Just sayin’.
Step 3
After the pistachio spray paint has dried, give each piece two light coats of the gloss topcoat. This helps to protect the paint from easily scratching off. Let dry for a full day before using.
These are a fun little way of displaying trinkets or holding jewelry.
I do not recommend serving food on these pieces, as they are covered with spray paint.
Are you a jadeite fan?
I still love the real thing, but this faux jadeite is a great frugal alternative.
I love ya’ll, but I gotta go scrub some floors.
Want more great home decor hacks?
Don’t miss this tutorial for how to make your own faux crystals and then turn them into finials, knobs, magnets and more!
Glitter up mason jars like this to turn them into pretty lanterns.
And here are 17+ Easy Crafts and DIY projects you’ll want to see too!
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Ashley @ 3 Little Greenwoods says
In between glancing at your post and burned poptarts that fell on the floor {nutritious kids’ breakfast} I thought you had found those pieces at Goodwill!
Are you kidding me? You spray painted those to look like jadeite? Awesome!
I would love for you to share this at my Show-Licious Craft & Recipe Party {live now}!
~ Ashley
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Totally spray painted them, Ashley!! I couldn’t believe they turned out so well either!! Thanks!
Leslie @ House on the Way says
Love the glass and congrats on BHG! How awesome!!! Your kitchen is gorgeous…you deserve it!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Leslie!!! I am still a bit in shock that they are really coming!!!
chris aka monkey says
wow jenna love this project……. proud my girl is gonna be in bhg woohoo moving uptown now xx
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you, Chris! Can you believe it?! I can’t!!!!!
Pamela @ FlowerPatchFarmhouse.com says
Fabulous idea, I have been trying my hand at faux ironstone since I can find none around here without spending a small fortune. It is working great, especially for platters to hang on walls.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
I feel ya, Pamela! I love ironstone as well – but its so expensive!! That is a great idea to spray paint pieces though! What color are you using?
Cindy Trobaugh says
Wow Really!!! BH&G…Good for You Girl! Its because of You and Your Blog that I have a New found Love of Gold and Your Series on Blogging that I started My Own just 2 Weeks ago… Yikes lots of Tweaking going on,Thank-You and Congrats You deserve it and keep them Posts Coming My way,Hugs Cindy
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Really, Cindy! I totally can’t believe it myself! Thank you so much!! I’m so thrilled you have started your own blog! That is awesome! Please tell me you didn’t already tell me this and I forgot in the madness of the past two weeks! Congrats to you!
[email protected] says
Congratulation, Jenna! I am so excited for you and can’t wait to see your kitchen in BH&G.
I want to tell you that the other night I read through the stories section on your blog and enjoyed it so much. I didn’t realize that you used to teach 6th grade. I’m switching from 7th to 6th this school year. 🙂
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Paula! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the stories. Girl, I have taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. On top of that, I have taught geography, language arts, and gifted children – I’ve been all over the place! I hope you have a great school year. The teachers have started back here, but the kids don’t start back until Thursday.
Megan @ Our Pinteresting Family says
They look amazing! Great idea. Congrats on BH&G coming to photograph your kitchen. Amazing!!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thank you so much, Megan!!
TxGal says
Very very cool !!
No … it’s not jadeite, but for fun pieces you don’t have to worry about, what a great idea ! I dearly love jadeite and have some great pieces from my mom and MIL. I’m going to try this out asap.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Yep, it is perfect for pieces where it doesn’t matter if it breaks!! I love there real thing too, but for now, this will work!
Emily @ Two Purple Couches says
Congrats again on the BH&G feature!!! So, so awesome! As is your diy jadeite. Keep rockin’ these Goodwill makeovers, girl!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Emily!! I’m a sucker for the cheap makeovers!
Selene Galindo says
Love the way the pieces turned out!! And OMG!!!! I’m so happy for you!!!! Your kitchen deserves the spotlight as do you!! Rock it, girl!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Oh thank you, Selene!! I’m still in shock that it really happened!!
Krista says
I love this- pinned and stumbled and totally trying it. Wha what? is more like SWTFAYTM?!?!?! Such unbelievably exciting news- can’t wait to see it in “print”!! Congrats girl!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
I may pass out when I see it in print. Either that or cry. Or get too drunk. hahaha!! Thank you!
Jill says
What a great tutorial. I want a small cake stand with the jadeite look, but don’t want to go hunting for one or paying through eBay, etc. for an authentic one. In photos for my food blog, this should work. Also, I could make a pink one too! Thanks and pinned!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Oh that would totally work perfect for you food blog, Jill! And I LOVE the idea of pink – great idea!
Miss Kitty says
That is so exciting about your kitchen being in a magazine!!! Hey I love this project too! I have done glass pieces to look like milk glass with a similar technique but with while paint. I would not have thought of doing the same thing in green…genius!!! I saw your post over at 36th Avenue’s blog party.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
It is so exciting, Miss Kitty!! Thank you so much! I love the idea of making glass look like milk glass with white spray paint too – that’s genius!
Susan says
ladies,Ladiesthis is so cool faux jadeite looks awesome! Did y’all know Lowes has a milk paint spray paint in lovely pastels just for glassI bought some for a lamp I snagged at a thrift store but have not committed to the project yet
Tonia Silva says
I know this is an old post, curious what the name of the “milk paint spray paint” that Susan references here. I cannot find it at Lowes.
GeeGee says
ME too. i would love to know the brand name from Lowe’s
[email protected] of a Serial Do-it-Yourselfer says
Just happened to be scrolling through Pinterest and happened upon these beauties! What a simple idea, but they look fantastic! I love easy, fast….might have to faux me some jadeite now. And congratulations on BHG coming your way! Your kitchen is beautiful! XO
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Christy! I’m pretty pumped about BHG! Yes, this faux jadeite is so easy to make!! And it doesn’t matter if it breaks!
Jamie says
WHAT? I can’t believe how you made this! I LOVE it. Great job girl 😉
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Jamie!
Tru says
Found this post through Pinterest and got really excited! Wouldn’t you know it, I have a new can of Krylon Pistachio in my box of paints that I purchased over a year ago. It turned out to be the wrong shade for the project I purchased it for. So excited to try faux jadite!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Awesome, Tru!!! I’m thrilled you found me and that you had a spare can of Pistachio on hand!
Barb says
Love your blog.u just read your survey answers.(I loved the snake bowl).thanks for your wit along with ideas.i see your favorite charity is St.judes.i work on a peds unit and favorite population is the oncology kiddos.they are amazing.after a long day your entertaining stories are a great distraction .thanks so much.i need opinion.my style is vintage,retro.midcentury and repurposed decor ( just back from goodwill run).my kitchen has shaker style honey oak cabinets with modern silver handles.checkerboard floor and walls ( at the moment…..my house would only sway in a tornado due to all the latex) are a Limey green, the color of tree buds when they first come out in spring.am toted to paint cabinets white but they are in perfect shape and feel a but guilty covering the wood .hubby going on 10 day golf trip so need a project.( there are several to be done) but absolutely best time to do.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hey Barb! You are a hero in my book for working on a peds unit. You guys are the best people ever!
On your kitchen – personally, I love a good painted cabinet! You could always paint the back of one first and see how you like it. You probably even take it off, paint it, flip it around and see how it looked in the room. Does that make sense??
Jenny says
Clever! I love this. It looks just like Jadeite! I’m totally doing this for spring decorating!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Thanks, Jenny! It is so easy to do!
Betsy L Abend says
Please post your kitchen again begore the BHG shoot…
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hi Betsy! You can find pictures of the before here: https://rainonatinroof.com/2012/01/kitchen-reveal/
KathyT says
I can’t believe I am commenting twice in just a few minutes but this is such a great idea especially for a wedding party. It would be such an inexpensive way to tie everything together. I love the look so much. I like real jadeite wear but I think I love yours more because it isn’t so precious.
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
You’re right, Kathy – these would be great for a wedding! Hadn’t thought of that before!
Stephanie Thomson says
I apologize if you’ve already answered this, but did you spray paint both sides of the glassware? You did a fantastic job!
Jenna @ Rain on a Tin Roof says
Hi Stephanie! Yep, I painted both sides!
Mellisa says
Please let me know what top coat you used
Jenna says
Hi Melissa – it was RustOleum Clear Gloss Topcoat. There’s a link to it in the post. 🙂
JJ says
As if I needed another reason to go hit up the thrift shop:-P these are beautiful cant wait to try this
Jenna says
Right!? I’ll use just about any excuse to take a little trip to the thrift store!
PAT RHODES says
Have copd can’t use spray paint how would you recommend painting
Jenna says
You could try finding a paint that can be used on glass in a similar color – maybe an acrylic craft paint?
Shannon says
Funny that you said Ft. Wayne in the middle of nowhere 🤣 I’m from Warsaw IN and we go to Ft. Wayne to the big city to shop and eat at better restaurants. Love what you did with the glass pieces!!