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DIY Faux Jadeite from thrift store finds

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

DIY Faux Jadeite from thrift store finds | Jadeite Dishes | DIY Jadeite | Thrift Store Crafts | Easy Crafts to Make and Sell | Glass Crafts


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: 

DIY Faux Jadeite from thrift store finds | Jadeite Dishes | DIY Jadeite | Thrift Store Crafts | Easy Crafts to Make and Sell | Glass Crafts

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.

DIY Faux Jadeite from thrift store finds | Jadeite Dishes | DIY Jadeite | Thrift Store Crafts | Easy Crafts to Make and Sell | Glass Crafts

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!

Want to come back here later? Just pin the image below!

DIY Faux Jadeite from thrift store finds | Jadeite Dishes | DIY Jadeite | Thrift Store Crafts | Easy Crafts to Make and Sell | Glass Crafts

You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

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Comments

  1. 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

    Reply

  5. 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

    Reply

    • 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!

      Reply

  6. Paula@SweetPea 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. 🙂

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

  8. 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.

    Reply

  11. 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!

    Reply

  12. 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!

    Reply

  13. 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.

    Reply

      • 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

        Reply

  16. 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!

    Reply

  17. 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.

    Reply

    • 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??

      Reply

  20. 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.

    Reply

  21. 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!

    Reply

  25. 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!!

    Reply

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