Do you love the vintage pottery trend? In this tutorial, learn 2 different methods for making your own upcycled vase that looks like antique stoneware!
This vintage pottery vase makeover contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t recommend wholeheartedly. Read my full disclosure here.
The vintage pottery trend is everywhere. Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware have been selling pottery that looks a bit like antique stoneware for years, but it was just recently that it seems like everyone is trying their own hand at it! And I can see why….these vintage inspired vases sell for anywhere from $20 – $100!
The best part is that I was able to make my upcycled vases that look like vintage pottery for FREE! I had all of the supplies on hand! LOVE it when that happens!
I’ve been seeing tons of Instagrammers trying to DIY their own upcycled vase using supplies that you’re likely to have on hand – like thrifted or dollar store vases, dirt (yep, that’s right….everyone has dirt) and spray paint!
In this article, I’m tackling 2 different methods of making upcycled vases look like vintage pottery!
If you’d rather watch a video, here are some behind the scenes videos that I filmed while I was working on this DIY vintage pottery:
If you love DIY videos, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube Channel so you don’t miss the next one!
So here are the vases that I’ll be using:
The green larger vase is thrifted and the clear glass vase is from Dollar Tree. But you can really use any vase that you have laying around. Everyone’s got a spare vase lying around, right?
Upcycled Vase #1 (Spray Paint + Dirt)
So let’s jump right into the first vase tutorial. On this clear glass vase I’m going to be using the spray paint & dirt method.
Supplies for upcycled vase #1:
Vase – this one is from Dollar Tree, but you could use any old vase you may have laying around
Cotton Round
Dirt (yep, just like the kind right outside in your yard)
Step 1. Clean vase.
Any time you paint on a glass or ceramic surface you want to be sure it is nice and clean so the paint adheres.
I’ve found it works best to clean with rubbing alcohol on a cotton round right before starting the DIY to remove any grim or oils from the surface.
Step 2. Spray vase with white primer.
To help with the adhesion of the paint, lightly coat the vase with white spray primer and let dry.
Step 3. Spray vase with flat black spray paint.
Next do one thorough coat of the flat black spray paint on the vase and let dry.
Step 4. Cover with dirt.
Once the first coat is dry. Cover the vase with sandy dry dirt. Rub very lightly so you can scratch the surface.
Now you could stop here if you wanted, but I chose to add more dirt to create some texture on the vase.
Step 5. Spray vase & add dirt.
On the 2nd coat of black spray paint, lightly toss dirt directly onto the wet spray paint. There’s really no rhyme or reason here. You just spray and toss dirt on the vase until you get a look you’re happy with. It’s THAT easy.
For the dirt, it works best to use dry dirt with a sandy texture – that will give you a fine texture on the upcycled vase.
If you wanted a more chunky texture, try using a wet dirt or mud instead!
Step 6. Spray vase with sealer.
Once you’re happy, finish with a coat of matte spray sealer.
Note: even after it has been sealed, handle with this one with care. Don’t try to brush off the dirt more because it will just scratch the painted surface.
Ta DA! Didn’t it turn out so cute?
For now I have it styled here with faux greenery under my basket wall on top of this green boho cabinet on a wood cutting board.
Now it’s time to see the other method I used on that green vase!
Upcycled Vase #2 (Textured With Joint Compound + Paint + Dirt)
Just a reminder, here’s what the thrifted vase looked like before. It wasn’t horrible, but I just couldn’t find a good place for it because the color was didn’t work in any of our rooms.
Supplies for upcycled vase #2:
Vase – this one is from a thrift store
Cotton Round
Joint Compound (if you don’t have this, check out my other ideas in step #2 below)
Dirt (yep, just the kind outside in your yard)
Old Paint Brush
1. Repeat steps 1 & 2 from above tutorial.
You’ll want to start by also cleaning the vase with rubbing alcohol and spraying with white spray primer.
2. Rub vase with joint compound.
To give the vase that antique stoneware look with rustic texture, I’m using joint compound. Joint compound is also know as drywall mud and it’s usually used on drywall to protect and texture interior walls.
Since we’re renovating, we always have some joint compound on hand in the garage. However, if you’re looking for alternatives for other things you could use to create that texture, here are some ideas (Note: I haven’t tested any of these so no promises!)
- Spackle – may need to thin with water
- Plaster of Paris – may need to be thinned with water
- Homemade play dough – 4 tbsp flour, 1/3 tbsp salt and water
- Tile adhesive or mortar
- Stucco
3. Another coat of joint compound & add dirt.
After the first coat of joint compound was dry to the touch (about an hour), I did a second layer of joint compound going the opposite direction – horizontal.
As that was drying, I brushed on dry dirt from the yard.
Let that dry thoroughly, I left it overnight.
4. Paint with craft paint mixed with dirt.
Next take an old paint brush and brush on black craft paint mixed with …. you guessed it… more dirt!
I didn’t cover the vase entirely, but left some areas of the lighter joint compound poking through to give it some more visual interest.
When the paint is drying, I also added more dry dirt on top of paint for the lighter “dirty” color to the vase that really makes it look like antique stoneware.
5. Finish with spray sealer.
Just like the other upcyled vase, finish with a coat of matte spray sealer to hold everything in place.
Doesn’t it look amazing? I LOVE the texture on this one! It looks just like real vintage pottery, don’t you think?
Which upcycled vase do you like best?
Let me know in the comments below!
How To Upcycle Vases To Look Like Vintage Pottery
Materials
- Glass Vase (Vase #1)
- Thrifted Green Vase (Vase #2)
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Cotton Round
- Flat White Spray Primer
- Flat Black Spray Paint
- Dirt
- Matte Spray Acrylic Sealer
- Joint Compound
- Acrylic Craft Paint, Black
Tools
- Old Paint Brush
Instructions
- Clean vase with rubbing alcohol and cotton round.
- Spray vase with white primer.
- Spray vase with flat black spray paint.
- Cover vase with dirt.
- Spray vase again and toss dirt onto wet spray paint.
- Spray vase with sealer.
Upcycled Vase #1 (Spray Paint & Dirt)
Upcycled Vase #2 (Paint, Joint Compound & Dirt)
- Clean vase with rubbing alcohol and cotton round.
- Spray vase with white primer.
- Rub vase with joint compound for texture.
- Add another coat of joint compound and rub on dry dirt while it is drying. Let dry overnight.
- Paint with craft paint mixed with dirt.
- Finish with spray sealer.
I think they both r gorgeous
thanks!
Absolutely gorgeous. Both of them. I’m planning to try it on plastic. I’ll be using spackling and old coffee grounds.
Yes, old coffee grounds would be perfect!