• Home
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Collaborate
  • Blog
  • Parties
    • Children’s Parties Ideas
    • Holiday Parties
    • Adult Party Ideas
  • Holiday Ideas
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fourth of July
    • Spring
    • Thanksgiving
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Seasons
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Autumn
  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Beverages
    • Desserts
    • Main Dishes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Project Gallery
    • Crafts
    • Decorating
    • DIY
    • Good Ideas
    • Tutorials
  • Shop My Home
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

  • Book
  • Speaking
  • Meet Vanessa
    • Featured

September 15, 2014

How to Make a Faux Olive Jar

It seems to me that in life, people can be divided into two categories: those who upon entering a store will head straight for the clearance section and those who don’t.

dried hydrangeas on olive jar atthepicketfence.com

I’m definitely a head straight for the clearance section kind of girl. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not judging those who want to check out what the latest styles are to arrive in the department store or the new seasonal decor versus that ‘last season’ stuff. But there is just something in me that absolutely MUST make sure that I’m not missing out on some kind of amazing deal.

But, there are some things that just never seem to go on sale. Or when they do, they are STILL way  more than you would ever want to pay. I mean, it’s not just about whether or not you actually have the money for it. Sometimes, it’s the principle of it, you know?

How to make a faux olive jar from atthepicketfence.com

Case in point…olive jars. I like them. I want them. Don’t ask why but I’m slightly obsessed with them. It’s totally irrational and makes no sense. Kind of like how my husband absolutely CANNOT stand to see those videos where it’s a dog’s head with a person’s arms inside a coat and the ‘dog’ is doing very ‘human’ things. Those totally freak him out and we could be totally sympathetic about this irrational fear but instead we just tease him by saying things like “Hey, come see this cool video we just found!” and then we all laugh hysterically as he jumps out of his skin.

After months of occasionally checking online sources and the aisles of every home store I would go in, I was never able to find an olive jar for under $50. And that’s just too much in my book. Even if we do really like olives! 😉

So, I dug through my stash of jars and pots until I found one that I thought I might be able to transform.

This one was the winner!

yellow urn

I applied a couple of coats of white paint.

painted urn

Then I applied brown paint to the bottom half working my way up and then using the paint brush, creating a wavy edge all the way around.

how to make a faux olive jar

A little bit of distressing and I had myself a ‘faux’ olive jar.

faux olive jar atthepicketfence.com

Now, it may not be exactly like the real deal. But then again, the ‘real’ deals that I’ve been seeing online aren’t even the ‘real’ deal, are they? They’re all reproductions of olive jars from days gone by. From yesteryear. From yore.

I think that ‘yore’ is a word that should really get back into circulation don’t you?

It doesn’t seem to matter anymore to me whether or not I ‘can’ purchase an item. Even if I had the extra money lying around to spend on something like an authentic olive jar, I know that I would never be able to bring myself to do it.

It’s more of a ‘should’ then a ‘could’ at this point, you know?

So, I’ll just keep on steering that cart straight to the clearance aisle.

And if I don’t find the perfect hidden treasure as I dig through the mounds of deals then, well, then I’ll just have to make those treasures myself!

Thanks so much for meeting me at the Fence today!

Vanessa signature

19 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Decorating Tagged With: crafts, decorating

Subscribe

Get the latest goodness straight to your inbox!

Previous Post: « The Chin Hair
Next Post: Fall Home Tour and Fall Decorating Ideas »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. joanne roth says

    September 15, 2014 at 8:00 AM

    Just wanted to say thanks –really enjoyed reading your post. You have a great sense of humor but I really love how grounded your perspective is — always so much more meaningful to make something yours when you can.

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 15, 2014 at 8:44 PM

      Oh thank you so much! What a lovely compliment. 🙂

      Reply
  2. Marty@A Stroll Thru Life says

    September 15, 2014 at 8:10 AM

    Your faux jar looks fabulous.

    Reply
  3. Lynn Mosher says

    September 15, 2014 at 9:07 AM

    Love this idea! Thanks so much! And just by coincidence, hubs just sent me a link to one of those dog videos, She Dines Alone! Too funny! Thought you might want to *use* it on your hubby. https://wallythekat.tripod.com/A_Pages/AA-Videos-YOU-Tube/Dog-Dining-Alone.html

    Reply
  4. Grandmom says

    September 15, 2014 at 10:04 AM

    Sure you’ve perused every source for Olive Jars…up to the $1,000 jars on ebay. When I saw this one which looked so much like your “new” olive jar, just had to send the link to you. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-French-small-terracotta-glazed-olive-oil-jar-/161409915362?pt=UK_Collectables_Kitchenalia_RL&hash=item2594c7d9e2

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 15, 2014 at 8:44 PM

      Wow! I’m feeling even better about mine now. LOL! Thanks so much!

      Reply
  5. lucy Beliveau says

    September 15, 2014 at 11:29 AM

    I am so impressed! Your olive jar is spectacular and your humorous writing style is so much fun to read! Thank you for both!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 15, 2014 at 8:43 PM

      Thank you so much!

      Reply
  6. Shirley@Housepitality Designs says

    September 15, 2014 at 2:21 PM

    Well aren’t you the clever one!!!….it’s just beautiful!…hmmm I need to look in my stash in the attic!…and as for me…I head for the clearance racks first!!!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 15, 2014 at 8:43 PM

      Kindred spirits for sure! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Leslie Stewart @ House on the Way says

    September 15, 2014 at 4:43 PM

    I’m a deal seeker too…love your olive jar! Have a great week!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 15, 2014 at 8:43 PM

      Thanks Leslie! Hope your week is off to a great start!

      Reply
  8. Joanne Boulter says

    September 15, 2014 at 6:17 PM

    Thanx thanx thanx for inspiration! I have a fake olive jar and I know just what I am going to do with it tomorrow. It’s only been painted 4 times, oh well adds to the patina right?

    ((HUGS)) Jo

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 15, 2014 at 8:42 PM

      LOL Joanne! I have a few of those jars that have been painted many times too!

      Reply
  9. Tauni says

    September 15, 2014 at 7:25 PM

    Such a great story. I must confess I didn’t know what an olive jar was until you posted. I blame the fact that I don’t really like olives 🙂 Nevertheless, I really love your jar!

    Reply
    • At The Picket Fence says

      September 15, 2014 at 8:42 PM

      LOL Tauni!! Thanks girl! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Barbara Ann says

    September 15, 2014 at 8:45 PM

    I total did the same thing. With the French flower buckets. I had bought some plain ones. Several. All the cute ones were very decorated. And expensive.I got several and painted them and used wire ribbon for each season. I filled with silk flowers and have used them for year’s. Necessity is the Mother of Invention or desire??
    Barbara Ann
    http://Www.etsy.com/shop/barbaraannscreations

    Reply
  11. Nellie says

    September 16, 2014 at 8:19 PM

    Vanessa,
    I totally love your olive jar, you did an amazing job on it. Great idea……..I am with you $50.
    is too much, and I can’t bring myself to spend that either even when I have the money.
    Honestly, most of the time when you see people do remakes of something that is sold in stores, I
    usually like the remake better……….so keep on making those cool things………..

    Blessings,
    Nellie

    Reply
  12. consider penis male says

    September 28, 2014 at 8:15 PM

    You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I’ve read a single
    thing like this before. So great to discover someone with genuine thoughts on this subject.
    Really.. thank you for starting this up. This site
    is something that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Tauni Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Search This Blog

Get the book!

Invite Vanessa to speak at your event!

Stay updated!

  • A New Look for the Family Room

    A New Look for the Family Room
  • Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

    Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze
  • The Slow Exit

    The Slow Exit
  • Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

    Honed Quartzite Kitchen Counters Reveal

Sign Up and Never Miss A Post!

Must Reads

Latest Recipes

Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze

Honey Tea Cake Loaf with Lemon Glaze

Apple Bread Pudding

view more recent recipes

Recent Posts

  • Decorating a Sofa Table May 31, 2023
  • Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Glaze April 19, 2023
  • Console Table Refresh March 24, 2023
  • Laundry Room Makeover February 23, 2023
  • Winter Decorating Ideas January 27, 2023

Footer

Stay Connected!

Instagram

Our son just turned TWENTY and I can hardly wrap m Our son just turned TWENTY and I can hardly wrap my head around the fact that we’ve completed two decades of parenting! I’ve had time to reflect on this season of life and shared some of my thoughts over at @club31women.

“Someday, years from now, we will watch home movies of the year 2023. And it will seem like I am peeking into the life of another family. I will have vague memories of those moments but my life will be so consumed with what is currently happening that it will seem like another lifetime. So, I embrace this season…this day…this moment. And I choose to declare that the emotional war in my heart between ‘what could have been’ and ‘what might be yet to come’ is over. I’m waving the white flag. I want my children to know that it is good and proper that they grow up and leave the nest. I want them to know that I can celebrate the passing of time rather than resist it even if there may be a few bittersweet tears that spill over from time to time.”

Head over to their devotional page to read the rest and I hope my words bring you encouragement for wherever you are on your parenting journey. 🤍
There’s nothing quite like enjoying the rewards There’s nothing quite like enjoying the rewards of your labor! The whole family pitched in to get our bark spread around the yard (I’m the master at raking it until it’s nice and even) and by the end of the day we were all done. Now we can head into summer with our big yard projects completed! 🙌🏻 Do you put in fresh bark every year?
Welcome June! I’m so glad you’re here! What’ Welcome June! I’m so glad you’re here! What’s your favorite thing about this month? Mind can be summed up in this quote…

“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.” John Steinbeck
“No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom “No man is entitled to the blessings of freedom unless he be vigilant in its preservation.”
General Douglas MacArthur

Grateful today and every day for those who were vigilant to the point of death in the preservation of our freedom and the principles upon which our country was founded. May we honor their sacrifice by being vigilant too. #memorialday
I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables t I’ve been on the lookout for small side tables to pit next to our outdoor couch and when I spotted these plant stands at @walmart from their @betterhomesandgardens line I knew they would be perfect…and they are!! 👏🏻 This is not a sponsored post. I’m just happily sharing this great find and why we should always be open to thinking outside of the box when it comes finding solutions for our decorating dilemmas.

Now we’re ready to head into this beautiful weekend! ☀️
What do you do when you want to use a bunch of boo What do you do when you want to use a bunch of books in your decorating but it can cost $50 or more for just ONE brand new book? Head to the secondhand bookstore of course! I’m so excited about this new look in my family room and this easy, inexpensive decorating tip I’m bringing to you for this #tiptuesday
Today feels like one of those days that is worthy Today feels like one of those days that is worthy of a chef’s kiss. Blue sky with nary a cloud in sight, perfect mid-70’s temps, a gentle breeze blowing through my hair as I walk around my yard to see the status of my flowering plants.

This morning I was running errands and the weight of hard things that are happening in the world, the culture, my own community and even in our circle of friends just felt so heavy.

But, as I was exiting a store, I passed a couple who were in their late 60’s/early 70’s and holding hands as they walked through the parking lot. I happened to glance over just as the husband lifted his wife’s hand up and planted a kiss right on it. It was a moment that reflected such love and tenderness and it was made sweeter by the fact that they weren’t spring chickens. I felt honored that I had been the one to observe and appreciate that moment.

What an incredible thing it is that as humans we are able to hold so many emotions in our souls all at once. To feel sorrow for the pain a friend is enduring, grieve the decline of a culture drifting further from the Lord, ponder how to navigate a challenging school situation, marvel at and enjoy the beauty of creation right outside my door and feel joy at getting to see a tangible example of lasting love while walking through a parking lot.

I truly believe that as we mature in our lives and in our faith, we learn to embrace the tension that comes with the collision of different emotions and recognize that they can all coexist at the same time without one taking something away from another. Simple joys make the hard stuff a bit easier and hard stuff makes us appreciate those simple joys even more.

What’s a simple joy that you are thankful for today?
Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here Oh what an absolutely lovely weekend we had!! Here are some highlights…

*Friday night I joined some wonderful ladies at church for a time of fellowship and yummy desserts. I made a strawberry lemon coffee cake and it was amazing if I do say so myself. ☺️ We are new-ish to this church and have just felt so warmly welcomed and folded in which has been very healing.

*Saturday was filled with getting our outdoor spaces spiffed up and my guys got our new table put together!

*Sitting outside for lunch with a yummy salad and iced tea felt like a little slice of heaven.

*Sunday we went to the iris gardens with my in-laws and then came home for naps and the most mouth watering ribs that my sweet husband had on the smoker all day.

*This glorious weekend ended with some ferocious rounds of UNO-corn (a hilarious version of UNO) and brownies my sweet daughter made for our dessert.

How was your weekend sweet friends? 🌸
I am absolutely and completely a better version of I am absolutely and completely a better version of myself when the sun is shining! Raise your hand if this is true for you too.

And, not only do I feel myself seeming to physically rise up from a slumbered state to greet the sunshine we've been longing for, I find that it seems like my house is rising up too. Every room, every nook and cranny (even though I now see dust bunnies that I missed during my cleaning on the dreary days), every leaf and flower outside...it's all coming to life and breathing fresh hope into my spirit. What a gift it is to be able to enjoy this home in all of the seasons of the year and of our lives. Now, I'm going to head outside and clean our deck and maybe there will be some time leftover for those dust bunnies!
I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispenser I’m slightly obsessed with these glass dispensers! They come with pre-made labels for SO many different options and would make a great Mother’s Day gift! I love how they add a bit of pizzazz to my kitchen. And they go perfectly with some of my antique accessories like the little dish my mother in law gave me for salt and pepper and the tiny toothpick holder which belonged to my great grandmother. 

If you’d like the link to order them, just leave a comment with the word ‘bottles’ and I’ll send it your way. They’re even on sale right now! 🙌🏻
Load More... Follow
Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Divine theme by Restored 316

Copyright © 2023 At The Picket Fence