Fall has hit here in our little town. I can see the mountains from my craft room window and the trees are gorgeous!!! I love fall. Unfortunately, here in Utah it seems likes fall lasts about one week, and then the snow hits and we're freezing our patootskies off. OK, that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but fall is seriously short around here. And I've got lots of spray painting to do before the snow flies. I had a few minutes of free time today, so I decided I'd better get cranking.
While I was working, I decided to do a little tutorial for ya. I love buying cheap trays from thrift stores and dollar stores, then spray painting them and using them in my home decor. I like adding vinyl lettering to mine, but you could also glue a monogram or set of vintage keys in the middle. The possibilities are endless. Use your imagination. And if you come up with a fabulous idea, make sure you let the rest of us know about it. 
Dollar Store Antique Plaque Tutorial
Start with a ceramic or metal tray. I used a metal tray from the dollar store.
Spray paint it with a few coats of antique white spray paint.
Let it dry completely, and you are ready to start antiquing.
I used craft paint that I watered down. It's cheap, and I already had it on hand. I wanted my finish rather dark, so I mixed brown and black paint together till I got the shade I wanted. It doesn't take a lot, just a few little squirts. I mixed mine in a paper cup with a popsicle stick.
Then I added water till the paint was thin, like ink. I poured some on a paper plate just so you could see how thin it is. See how it runs all over like ink? That's how you want it.
Now it's time to do some antiquing. I find that it works best to work in small sections at a time. Use your paintbrush to add some of your watered down paint to the edge of the plaque.
Immediately wipe it off with a soft rag. I used an old t-shirt that I cut up. I found that paper towels didn't work because they ripped and left pieces of fuzz everywhere. It should look something like this:
Continue adding and wiping off the paint till the whole tray is antiqued.
Now you can add some vinyl lettering, or anything else you'd like.
Hope you have fun! No one will ever guess that you started with an inexpensive metal tray from the dollar store.
I love this idea. Keeping it in mind for the new house.
Have you found a house yet?
Nice! I have not tried antiquing yet but this may be a good one to start with. Thanks for sharing!
I agree whole-heartedly with the messages on your plates.
Wow, I woulda never knew that was a dollar store tray once you painted it! Nice job. Im a new follower, check mine out sometime!
XoXo
Bad spelling, sorry!
I love it Kara! I've seen those trays a million times and it's never occured to me to paint them.
Looks great!!
Great idea. I recently did a plastic framed mirror in a similar way. It was so easy. I'll have to keep my eye out for a cheep tray now too. Thanks
oooh love it! I was at the dollar store a couple days ago looking at these kind of trays and thinking they could be made into something cute but I didn't know what. I guess you answered it for me
Love this idea!! It looks great, and you'd never guess it was from the dollar store! Thank you for sharing your tutorial!!
Aimee @ Justkiddingaroundatlanta
I love this idea! I'm thinking Christmas gifts for the grandparents! I'll have to check out your vinyl lettering!
Thanks for the great idea. I know what I'll be looking for on my next trip to the dollar store!
DARLING! visiting from sugarbee.
ps: we're twins that run Lolly Jane and my twin Kristi just adopted her 1st baby, a little boy. it was such a miracle and beautiful process. i really hope you get your own baby soon!! xo
Oh thank you for this!!! I have an old silver platter from my Grandparents that I want to redo. Plus, I have all the tools needed, woohoo!!!!
Looks great!
Great idea!
Great idea
What a great idea … I am going to try it! Thank you for sharing – just lovely.
What a great idea. And great tutorial on glazing.
Okay, I saw those very trays at my dollar store and thought, hey, those would make a really cool craft, but what I don't know.
Thanks for the inspiration! I love your finished result.
Super cute!!
Love this, Kara! I'm printing you out! : ) I bought a few of those trays when I did my daughter's baby shower in June and I glued oval wood pieces to the centers, spray painted chalkboard black. We did an Alice in Wonderland tea party theme so I wrote on them "Eat Me" and "Drink Me". I've just pulled them out again and think I will write Halloween words on them. Love your idea for these trays, though. Congrats on your feature at Cheri's!
Wow! What a clever idea. Inexpensive but still looks like a million bucks. Thanks! I'm visiting from Thrifty Decor Chick's Before and After Party.
Hi:
I'm a beginner DIYer and need to ask you a question about this tray. What Cricut cartridge did you use for the vinyl lettering?
I'd appreciate, really appreciate, if you could assist me with this.
Thank you,
Debi