DIY Projects, Interiors & Styling

DIY Turkish Olive Jar

Hi, I’m Erin, and I have expensive tastes. There, I said it out loud, haha! So, when I fall in love with a home décor item that I cannot afford, I find a way to make it. Prime example… Turkish Olive Jars. They can be super pricey! Seriously, check out the prices on these examples below. But I think I found an inexpensive way to make one with supplies that everyone has access to, yay!

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

TOOLS NEEDED:

Step 1: Assembling the olive jar

We are going to start by making some cuts. First, cut a hole in the bottom of the antique terracotta bowl with a jig saw blade made for ceramics. This will be the opening for the vase.

Next, we need to cut out foam circles to give the antique terracotta bowl something to rest on. I decided to go with two circular foam cutouts for this. For the larger circle I just traced the top of the antique terracotta planter. I stacked a second foam circle on top that is slightly smaller. Be sure to also cut out the center (think doughnut shape) so that the inside of your vase will be open.

Lastly, we will use some Power Grab adhesive to glue everything together.

Step 2: Filling in the olive jar

Now it’s time to fill in and smooth out. We will be filling in any large gaps with Plaster of Paris. Just try to get a good base layer on.

After you have a good base layer of Plaster of Paris, it’s time to add joint compound for a smoother, final layer. Once everything is dry, give it a light sand to smooth it out.

Step 3: Painting the olive jar

We need to paint the areas that we patched to match the rest of the olive jar. I am mixing baking soda in with my paint to give it some texture. It’s best to just layer in different shade of paint for this. I primarily used Sherwin Williams Deer Valley, Yearling, and Barnwood Plank.

An optional last step is to give it a mud bath for some natural texture. You can do this by rubbing wet mud on, letting it dry, and then using a damp cloth to wipe it off. The is a totally optional step and not necessary.