“Green is the prime color of the world, and that from which its loveliness arises.” –
Pedro Calderon de la Barca
Is anyone else obsessed with Jadeite?
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Unfortunately for me, there is not a lot of inventory, of the real stuff, in my neck of the woods. That means I turn to the thrift store and do my own…
DIY Jadeite Dish

The Rules:
-
- Upcycle an item(s) from a thrift store, resale store, or garage sale into a new piece of decor.
- There’s no monthly theme.
- There’s no budget to stick to.
Meet the Hosts
Victoria | Dazzle While Frazzled – Yami | The Latina Next Door
Kathleen | Our Hopeful Home – Jennifer | Cookies Coffee and Crafts
Deborah | Salvage Sister & Mister – Jeanie | Create and Babble
Gail | Purple Hues and Me – Michelle | Our Crafty Mom
Denise | My Thrifty House – Sue | A Purdy Little House
Marie | The Inspiration Vault – Debra | Shoppe No. 5 – Michelle | Michelle James Design
DIY FAUX JADEITE DISH
SUPPLIES
- Thrift Store Dish
- Alcohol
- Soft Bristle Brush
- Milk Glass Paint
INSTRUCTIONS
- Remove any stickers on item and clean with alcohol.
- Using a soft bristle brush apply the paint to the item by allowing it to flow from the brush rather than brushing the surface – Per the instructions found on the web. (Note – There are a couple of technique options bia that link.)
- Allow to dry for 24 hrs before applying multiple layers of paint.
- To make it permanent and washable – Once you have the desired color, you bake-to-cure the painted glass in the oven by placing glass in cold oven and turn to 350 degrees. Bake for 30 min and turn off the oven; allowing it to completely cool before removing (per instructions).
TIPS-
You must clean the item. This is a thin liquid that needs a properly prepared surface.
I used a sponge paint brush, thinking there would be no streaks, but I am still not exactly sure which paint brush would be the best for this.
There didn’t seem to be any instructions on how many layers you could do so I did many to achieve the color I wanted. I probably should have waited longer per application.
A piece that doesn’t have a lot of details might actually work better than one with nooks and crannies.
My oven runs hot so I should have done a little lower of a temp as it got brown in a few areas.
Using this paint, instead of regular craft paint, makes it food safe (proper curing).
This was a new type of paint for me so it took time, and I believe, a patient person to really make the look more smooth and even.
SHOULD I DO A DIY FAUX JADEITE DISH?
My overall review, I would say I came out just slightly cheaper than buying a knock off piece – not factoring my time. If you are really good with paint and you have patience, more than me, this might just be for you.
If you live somewhere jadeite deficient, and you don’t want to DIY your own, you can find some here and the real stuff here.
And now for more thrifty goodness!
Check out what my fellow upcyclers created below!
This looks amazing! It’s so tough to wait for paint to dry when your doing a project. It looks just like the real stuff to me
Jenny recently posted…Decorative Milk Can for Your Front Porch
Jenny, Yeah, I waited on this stuff, but I guess I should have waited 24 hrs per application. Im not really sure. It was a different type of paint so it would take some trail and error for me to get it just right. Thanks so much.
I think this turned out great. It looks like the real thing. I didn’t realize there is special paint so it will be food safe. I will certainly be trying this out.
Debrashoppeno5 recently posted…Painting A Wooden Photo Box For A New Look
Debra, Yeah, if you used regular paint it wouldn’t be food safe.
Wow it looks so pretty. I love the look of Jadeite but have never collected it. Now I may trying to “get the look” myself like you did. Awesome job.
Michelle, Thanks so much!
OMG! This looks so pretty. I love how it turned out. The seaglass Jadeite colour is perfect and so great for Spring. Wonderful DIY. Thank you for sharing.
Sue, Thanks so much. It works unitl I can find the real thing.
What a great idea! Love Jadeite and will have to try making this for sure!
Sam – Raggedy Bits recently posted…Waste Not Wednesday-104
Sam, Yeah Ive loved it for so long but it’s impossible to find here.
I have to say I prefer how yours looks Deborah. It has way more character than the jadeite pieces. There’s more interest there somehow. It makes me want to touch it and look closer.
Michelle, You are always so very kind and supportive! Truly you are a bright light!
This looks fantastic & perfect for summer time. Thanks for sharing at #HomeMattersParty
Jenny recently posted…Travel Tips, Tricks, and Hacks + HM #186
Jenny, Thanks so much
I love how this turned out! But the purist in me has a hard time painting vintage; I just need to get over it sometimes!
Lora, Yeah, Im all for making it your own but I have things I wouldn’t want updated too.
Did you only paint the underside? Or did you paint that top side as well?
Hi Marsha, Edited – It’s been awhile since I did this project and had to remember. I did just the underside.
Is there a spray paint milk paint and would that work ?
Hi Patsy, I honestly don’t know. This was the closest to the Jadeite color I could find. If you find something that works, please let me know.