It doesn’t matter what color your vases are, since you’ll be covering over them with paint. Just grab whatever you want from your own collection, or any budget vases you can find thrifting! Before getting started, make sure your items are clean, dry and free of prints.

You can skip the paint color mixing step if you want to use the colors directly from your paint bottles, or you can experiment by mixing several colors together to create something custom. Mikyla chose to mix up her own muted tones with her paints. Mix a lighter and darker shade if you want to create two-tone vases like those shown in this post.

After you have your paint colors mixed, sprinkle some baking soda into each color and mix thoroughly. The baking soda will make the paint look “fluffy,” but when it dries, you’ll achieve a texture that resembles clay.

Brush the baking soda/paint mixture onto the vase. If you’re doing the two-tone look, brush the first color about 2/3 of the way down or to whatever point you like.

Brush the second color on the remaining portion of the vase. Once the vase is painted, let it dry completely. Repeat with any other vases you are adding to your new faux clay collection! Remember that you don’t have to make them all match; you can vary the colors or the size of the color tone sections on each vase for added interest.

To create a speckled look on your faux clay vases after painting, water down your chosen paint color. Add a small amount of water at a time, mixing and testing for the right consistency. You’ll want the paint to be just runny enough so you can splatter it.

On a covered work surface, load your paintbrush with the watered-down paint, and use your thumb to help flick the paint onto the vases for a fun speckled effect. Repeat until you are happy with how they look, then let dry.

After the paint has completely dried, you’ll want to seal the vases with Aleene’s Spray Acrylic Sealer to protect the paint with a durable coating. For faux clay, we recommend the matte finish, but if you want some extra shine, go with the gloss!

Work in a well-ventilated area and spray several light coats of sealer over each vase – and don’t forget the bottoms! Let the sealer cure for the time recommended on the label.

And now you have a fabulous set of faux clay vases that only LOOK expensive, and definitely make an eye-catching statement! How would you put your own spin on this faux clay project? Make sure to tag us on social @aleenesdiy and share your chic creations with us!