How to Make a Faux Milk Glass Cake Stand

Today, we’re sharing how to make a faux milk glass cake stand! 

We’re always looking for small ways to celebrate each day no matter what the season. It’s hardly ever anything grand or fancy, just little touches around the house that makes everything feel warm and cozy.

I love to treasure hunt and for the longest time, I’ve been searching for and collecting vintage cake stands. 

Cake stands or treat stands are not only beautiful but also functional. They can be used in so many different ways too.

After searching for a few months and coming home empty-handed, I finally decided to make a vintage-inspired faux milk glass cake stand myself.

They were crazy easy to create and pretty inexpensive too!

Here’s what you need to create your own DIY Faux Milk Glass Cake Stands…

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*This post was updated September 2020

DIY Faux Milk Glass Cake Stand Supplies:

• Etched Glass Plates (make sure there is no rippling or etching near the center as you will need a flat surface so the glue will hold)
• Etched Glass Vases (make sure they have a flat rim at the top)
• Glue Formulated for Bonding Glass (I used E6000)
• White Spray Paint (formulated to stick to glass)
• Sandpaper
• Drop Cloth
• Respirator Mask
• Safety Goggles

DIY Faux Milk Glass Cake Stand Steps:

Gather Your Supplies

I found all of these glass pieces at local thrift stores and charity shops. Most of them were $2 or less but I did see a few pieces as high as $5.

The price almost always depends on the region/area of the country you live in.

You can usually find bottles like this in the vase section and the glass plates in the kitchen section.

Clean Well and Dry Completely

Before you start this project you’ll want to make sure to completely clean and dry each piece very well.

Cut glass like this usually has a lot of little nooks and crannies so take extra care with this step.

Here’s the reason why…

Faux Milk Glass Spray Painting Tips

Make sure you flip all glass pieces over prior to spraying.  Take extra care to protect and cover the tops of each glass plate.

You want to make sure that NO SPRAY PAINT or OVER SPRAY gets on the top of the glass plate as spray paint is NOT food safe.

In a well-ventilated area, wearing a protective mask and safety goggles, spray several thin coats of your favorite white spray paint on each glass piece allowing plenty of drying time in between each coat.

I’m using white chalky finish spray paint which you can order here or purchase at your local craft supply store using a coupon.

If you want more of a milk glass look you should consider a glossier finish like this white spray paint as actual milk glass has a bit of shine to it.

Allow the Spray Paint to Dry Completely

Allow the spray paint to dry completely between each coat. This process will take several hours.

Creating a Base for Your Faux Milk Glass Cake Stand

Once each piece has completely dried (at least 24 hours), rough the flat rim of the vase up a bit with sandpaper.

Then apply glue that has been specifically formulated to bond glass (I used E6000 which you can find at your local craft supply store or here) to the flat rim of the top of the vase.

This will become the base of your cake stand. 

Use caution and care when placing the painted glass plate on top of the painted glass vase.

Allow the glue to bond completely before using the cake stand.

These cake stands need to be hand washed.  Make sure you clean the top of each plate with a 50/50 combination of water and distilled vinegar prior to using it.  

Do not get the vinegar and water mixture on any of the painted portions of your cake stand as it will cause the paint to peel/chip/flake.

I let my cake stands sit for about 72 hours before I placed anything on them.

Also, just to be on the safe side, I usually use a doily or a protective covering on cake stands that will have food on them. 

Easy Ways to Display a Faux Milk Glass Cake Stand 

I can’t believe it took me so long to try to make my own cake stands. We use them all the time from creating festive food displays on the patio to displaying them in the china hutch. 

They’re super neutral and can be dressed up or down in any season which is fun too. 

Let us know if you guys make these faux milk glass cake stands and how you decorate with them too! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Other Posts on Spray Painting You Might Enjoy:

• Spray Painting 101: Simple Tips & Tricks 
• How to Create Crock Inspired Paint Cans 
• Easily Paint and Age a Silver Serving Tray 
• DIY French Country Bookends 
• Quick & Easy Vase Makeover

Many blessings,

CoCo