Do you love vintage pieces? Today, we are going to speak about how to make easy 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, and blueberry pies and adding these fruits to Sangria.
Besides enjoying berries, I also am a fan of vintage fruit crates. Are you a fan? Do you know the ones with the metal edges and the patina? For me, this has been on my search for 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 crates! This is such a great way to add an old look.
It took one click on my computer, and BAM I find these new berry crates HERE at Amazon.
Before I get into how to make vintage berry crates, I think I will share a few ideas on how to use these too!
Different Ideas to Use These Berry Crates for Food and in the Home
A Few Ways to Use These Old Crates
9 Easy Ways to Use Old-Looking Berry Crates in Your Home
- 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 and filling it with your favorite dipping sauce for fries?
- Another example is lining it with paper and filling these with an assortment of cheeses, fruits, and crackers on a charcuterie board or tray.
- I also think these will be fun with different candies and small desserts. Think about, wrapped chocolates, and M&M’s.
- Store hair ties to grab these easily and keep them neat.
- Make a May Day basket for a family member or friend.
- How about adding nail polish wrapped with cellophane and a pretty ribbon and giving this as a gift?
- Store crayons for the kids to color
These will also be great for favors for your guests for a birthday party, bridal shower, or graduation party. Fill a cellophane bag inside with cookies and treats.
Make Vintage Berry Crates Easily Using Tea Stain
Using Natural Products to Stain These Crates
After receiving the new crates, I began coming up with an idea of how to age them and make them vintage looking. I didn’t want to deal with stains. These containers are balsa wood and I think the stain would have been too heavy and bled through the wood.
Also, I’m trying to keep these old looking berry crates food safe as well so the idea of chemical stains isn’t an option.
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 the berry crates naturally.
Supplies List:
- wood berry crates
- tea bags or brewed coffee
- ground cloves or ground cinnamon
- chip brush
- plastic container or bowl for tea or coffee
- gray craft paint
Above you can see the tea did change these crates, however, this didn’t give them quite the look I am wanting.
Adding Ground Clove and Tea for Vintage Crate Look
Step 2: Pour Clove onto a Paper plate
Next, I took the plastic top off the spice jar and poured a decent amount of the spice into a bowl. This gives these fruit crates a more vintage appearance.
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Meanwhile, while the cartons were drying I kept the tea nearby, to keep my brush a bit damp.
Above, you will notice the different textures 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
Next, to add even more of a vintage look to the crates, I use a small brush and medium gray craft paint.Â
Here add a bit of paint and smooth into the upper corners and bottom corners. Fruit crates tend to get that blackish or 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 these 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?
I’m beyond thrilled with this natural technique. And this is another reason why I enjoy nature and natural products!
I hope you enjoyed these easy 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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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