$1.00 Flea Market Tray Makeover

Hey guys! Chalk paint has changed the way I look at flea market finds. No longer is the flea market a barren wasteland of tacky and outdated stuff; it is now a bounty of items just waiting to be given new life simply by slapping on a coat or two of chalk paint!

This tray with an outdated Tuscan cafe scene was just screaming for a makeover, and for only $1.00 it was a flea market find I simply couldn’t pass up! Today I’m going to share with you how I turned this tray from outdated ewww to farmhouse fresh!

Paint and supplies I used for this project:

• FolkArt Home Decor chalk paint in White Adironack where to buy
• FolkArt Home Decor chalk paint in Rich Black where to buy
• FolkArt Home Decor crackle medium where to buy
• FolkArt Home Decor wax, clear where to buy
• FolkArt Home Decor wax, antiquing where to buy
• FolkArt Home Decor chalk and wax brushes where to buy
• Jute twine where to buy
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks where to buy
• Painter’s tape where to buy

This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience to help you find the paint and supplies I used to make this project. I make a small commission if you order through my links, but it doesn’t cost you anything more! If you do, thank you! ?

Directions:

Flip the try upside down and tape off the tray bottom if you don’t want to paint it. I decided not to paint the tray bottom because it was made of chipboard, and I was afraid it would warp if I painted it.

Flip the try upside down and paint the sides of the tray with the black paint and allow it to dry thoroughly.

Flip tray right side up and paint with the black paint and allow to dry thoroughly.

Flip the tray upside down and paint over the black paint with the crackle medium and allow to dry thoroughly. If you want a small, thin crackle effect, paint on a thin coat of crackle paint. If you want a more pronounced crackle, paint on a thicker coat. I “hodged podged” my tray, using lighter and thicker coats and brush strokes in different areas for a variety of effects.

Flip the tray right side up and paint over the black paint with the crackle medium and allow to dry thoroughly.

Flip the tray upside down and paint with the white paint and allow to dry thoroughly. 

Flip the tray right side up and paint with the white paint and allow to dry thoroughly. You should now have something similar to this:

Distress the tray corners with a damp cloth if desired.

Flip the tray upside down and paint with the antiquing wax and allow to dry thoroughly. 

Flip the tray right side up and paint with the antiquing wax and allow to dry thoroughly.

Flip the tray upside down and paint with the clear wax and allow to dry thoroughly. 

Flip the tray right side up and paint with the clear wax and allow to dry thoroughly.

Wrap the tray handles with jute twine, securing with a dab of hot glue every few wraps.

Finished! 🙂

I really liked how it turned out! I’m using it as a centerpiece on my dining room table to display the almond blossoms which are in season right now, along with some of my favorite vintage pieces!

I hope you enjoyed my $1.00 flea market tray makeover! If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below!

Happy painting!