How To Make Cheap Glass Look Like Expensive Jadeite With An Easy DIY

Jadeite is one of those beautiful, timeless pieces that adds elegance and tradition to your kitchen. The subtle mint hue and semi-translucent quality offer a neutral, earthy element that fits a variety of styles and color palettes. Made popular in the 1930s, these milky green dishes are a must-have for collectors and, for this reason, can be a tad on the pricey side. While this is vintage kitchen glassware you might be able to score at the thrift store, it's not available everywhere. Fortunately, you can also create your own with the right shade of spray paint, a few choice dollar-store dishes, and a little DIY ingenuity.

This project is a great opportunity to create something special out of what others might think of as cheap and unimpactful. You can be as simple or creative as you like with it. For example, by gluing together two glass pieces, like a candle holder and a platter, you get a beautiful cake tray. A few coats of spray paint in the right shade, and voila, your very own faux jadeite. 

This is one of those dishware trends that'll elevate the look of your kitchen, even if it's not authentic. The best part about a DIY is that you can repeat the process on different sizes and shapes for an entire collection of matching pieces that brings your kitchen to life without breaking the bank.

Before starting on this project, you'll need to pop to your local Dollar Tree or thrift store and grab some cheap plates and vases. If you want to craft a cake stand, don't forget to pick up a glass candle holder as well. The tall taper holders from Glahomp are a good choice. This is also a great opportunity to breathe new life into old, outdated dishware you've been thinking of getting rid of — and upcycling makes the project even cheaper. You'll need some glue, like E6000, and paint. Krylon spray in Satin Pistachio is the perfect shade for this project. 

With supplies in hand, it's time to get started DIYing some vintage-inspired finds for your modern home. It's easier than you might think. Start by assembling any DIY components that require steps outside of paint alone. For a stunning cake stand, simply glue the top of the candle holder to the bottom of a cheap glass plate using the E6000. Let it dry, and spray the whole thing with a couple of coats of Krylon. Paint the rest of your chosen faux jadeite-to-be, and give it one final coat with a clear finish. That's all there is to it. 

Don't be afraid to get creative and use different cans of a similar color to add dimension to your collection. You can even add a touch of sparkle to the look by opting for a glitter-infused final coat. For mugs and bowls, consider dipping the rim in gold to punch up the aesthetic. However you customize it, you'll have a one-of-a-kind jadeite kitchen collection with none of the overpricing.