Do you love vintage pieces? Today, we are going to speak about how to make vintage berry crates. As I said summer is here and this means berry season. I especially look forward to this produce being available in abundance!
I begin thinking about berry smoothies, blueberry galettes, blueberry pies and adding these to fruits to Sangria. Dfo you enjoy berry season as much as I do?
Besides enjoying berries, I also am a fan of vintage fruit crates. Are you a fan? You know the ones with the metal edges and the patina? For me this has been on my search out thrifting. Unfortunately, I have had no luck.
So, I came up with the next best thing, make my own vintage looking crates. And wait until you see how I make these little berry crate gems! This is such a simple way to add an old look.
First off, it took one click on my computer and BAM I find these HERE.
Before I get into how to make vintage berry crates, I think I will share a few ideas of how to use these too!
Different Ideas to Use These Berry Crates for Food Ideas and in the Home and Gift Giving
A Few Ways to Use This Crate Idea
- Besides berries, how about lining these containers with a pretty napkin and filling it with your favorite snack poolside?
- Also, line with a napkin and fill with a slider and fries.
- How about adding a small glass dish in this container and filling it with your favorite dipping sauce for fries?
- Another example is lining these with paper and filling these crates with an assortment of cheeses, fruits and crackers on a charcuterie board or tray.
- I also think these fruit baskets will be fun with different sorts of candies and small desserts. Think about, cubes of poundcake, wrapped chocolates and M&M’s.
- Store hair ties inside
- Make a May Day basket for a family member or friend.
- How about adding nail polish wrapped pretty and giving this as a gift?
- Use this to store teas
These will also be great for favors for your guest. Filling a cellophane bag inside the crate and assorted cookies and other treats.
Make Vintage Berry Crates Easily Using Natural Products Such as Tea
After receiving these crates, I began coming up with an idea of how to age fruit crates. Also, how to make them crates have a vintage worn old look.
So then became the plan. I didn’t want to deal with stain. Besides these containers are balsa wood and I think stain would have been too heavy.
Also, I am trying to keep this food safe as well so the idea of chemical stain seeping through didn’t site well with me. For the most part, unless the food is wrapped, I will always line these with food safe paper. Because you never can be too safe.
So, how did I make these berry crates look old?
Step 1: Make Hot Tea or Coffee to Begin Staining
I brewed some hot tea using our Keurig machine. After it cooled, using a chip brush I began adding the tea to stain these naturally.
Supplies Needed:
- wood berry crates
- tea bags or brewed coffee
- ground clove or cinnamon
- chip brush
- plastic container for tea or coffee
- paper bowl
Above you can see the tea did change these crates, however this didn’t give them quite the look I am wanting for this craft project.
Adding Dry Clove and Tea for More Texture for an Aged Look
Step 2: Pour a Decent Amount of Clove on a Paper Plate
Next, I began adding dry clove. Here, take the plastic top off and pour a decent amount of the clove in a bowl.
By the way, my craft room is smelling amazing while adding the clove to the craft idea. If there’s no clove available, cinnamon will also work for this step as well.
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Meanwhile while the cartons were drying a bit I kept the tea nearby, so I was able to keep my brush a bit damp. I did this to have the ability to move the clove around.
Above, you will notice the different texture beginning to take shape from the spice.
Adding More Texture and Age Using Craft Paint
Step 3: Brush a Bit of Medium Grey Craft Paint on Edges
Next, to have these berry crates begin to have even more of a vintage look, I use a small brush and medium grey craft paint.
I begin adding a bit of paint and smooth into the containers. Fruit crates tend to get that blackish/charcoal color on seams and corners. Doing this step didn’t take long and added extra age to the vintage look.
Adding These Vintage Containers to My Decor
Step 4: Adding These to Different Spots on the Top of My Kitchen Hutch
Lastly, adding this tea and spice-stained crates to my summer hutch brings a touch of whimsy. They also add a rustic natural look that I love mixed with elegant pieces.
Here’s an example where the texture and details of this simple aging process can be seen.
I truly think these fruit baskets definitely have the old, aged appearance of a vintage berry basket! Don’t you?
Just look at this patina beauty on these on display! I must admit when I see these, I am beyond thrilled with this natural technique.
I hope you enjoyed this easy and natural process to make vintage berry crates. This project is especially fast and easy to create. Let me know if you love old pieces in your home too. I’d love to hear what you think in the comments.
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Pin to Remember This Easy Craft Project
Posts of Interest
I can almost smell the cloves through the computer screen. I thought you were going to show us how to make the actual berry crate based on your post title. The way you stained the wood resulted in a beautiful color. Enjoy using these for summer decor!
Sorry Paula, I am very crafty but wouldn’t have patience for that craft.
They still give off a soft scent through the kitchen.
I love the smell of cloves. You’ll have to make fresh ones to enjoy using at Christmas.
Thanks so much! I have some left. I will think about it. Not sure if I’d want these during holiday season
Love the pretty updates to the crates!
Hi Cindy. Happy Tuesday. This is pretty cool. I love how these came out. The patina is great to make them look aged. Have a great day. xoxo
They were fun to create. I’m happy with the look!
Love all your vintage tips and tricks. The berry crates looks perfect in your home. Great idea, I pinned to share with my friends!
Thanks always Terrie!
I love this! They look like they were found in a European market!
Thank you!! You made my day!
They are perfectly aged!!
Thank you!
They turned out so great! Your photography is so good, I had to pin this!
Oh thanks for the Pin!!!
Such a great idea to age the berry baskets! These would look so pretty to display fruit for an outdoor garden party!
Karin
That’s a great idea
Love how vintage these look! Great job, I pinned!
Thanks so much Corine
These look lovely and aged. Vintage inspired…I’ve done this with new grape crates. I used diluted paint. I love your layered technique.
Thanks so much Kim! I’m sure they’re beautiful. I love aging pieces
What a great idea! Using them for sliders and fries this summer is a cute idea, also! My grandkids will love this!!
Soooo helpful! Love them. Definitely on my list for Summer and even Fall decor
Thank you Diane. Yes great for fall!
These crates are such a fun idea! They are perfect as the begining to hold party favors and so much more. So inspiring!
I agree Laura and they are great fir fall too
This is such a great craft!!! Thanks so much for sharing how you transform these little berry baskets… How cute!!!!
Thank you Maria
What a great idea! I have some of these so I’m going to give this a go!
They are easy and fun
Pinning these right now, Cindy, they are so fantastic! I love the way you used the cloves to add texture and tea for the stain. You are so creative and always coming up with ideas I would have never thought of in a million years. I’m super excited to try these! Hugs, CoCo
Thank Coco, they smell great too
Aged berry boxes remind me of my shildhood visits to relatives’ farms.
Now that’s a great memory!
I love these!!! Pinning. Great technique and fabulous idea for an outdoor gathering. XO- MaryJo
These are so cool Cindy! I have some berry baskets and I can’t wait to try this technique on them! Thanks so much for sharing this with us at Farmhouse Friday – we’re featuring you at tomorrow’s party!
Popping over from Farmhouse Friday. Wow, they look just like authentic timeworn berry baskets. So cool! I’ve used the tea technique for aging but never cloves and gray paint. I’m definitely trying that next time.
Love the aged patina you created! Look for your post to be featured this week at our Tuesday Turn About Link Party! Hope to see you there!
Thank you so much
Great post, Cindy! I love vintage berry crates! Thanks for sharing all these tips! Have a great week!
These are so cool, Cindy! I love that they can be used throughout the year and how you aged them to perfection too. They’re fabulous! Pinning – CoCo