If you’ve been on Instagram lately, you’ve probably seen those adorable air dry clay decorative egg holders popping up everywhere… and we had to try our own IOD take. 😉

This sweet little project proves even the smallest pieces can feel extra special with a touch of IOD charm. Using the Emily Clare Transfer, we’re adding soft florals and delicate details for that vintage-inspired look we love.

In this tutorial, we’ll show you how to shape your own egg holder with air dry clay, adding a creamy coat of paint, and apply transfers seamlessly—even over curves. And then adding a UV resin and curing it for that glossy finish.

It’s simple, satisfying, and perfect for spring styling, place settings, or gifting.

Ready to make your own?

Grab your IOD goodies from your local stockist, or use our store locator to find one near you.

Note: This egg holder tutorial is intended for decorative use only and is not food-safe—perfect for styling with faux or embellished eggs.

Grab your IOD goodies from your local stockist! If you’re not sure where to find one, click here to use our store locator.

• Emily Clare Transfer
• Air Dry Clay

• All-in-One Paint or Chalk Paint + Top Coat in off-white or the color of your choice (we used Chalk Paint sealed with Vanilla Frosting by Country Chic)
• Wooden eggs (for shaping, and can be used as decoration after with transfer bits added for embellishment)
• Clay tools
• UV resin
• Skissors
• Sponge
• Water
• Paper Egg Carton 

1. Roll out your air dry clay to about 1/4 inch thick. This gives it enough strength to hold its shape when forming the egg cavities. Any thinner and your clay may tear as you shape your cavities.

2. Roll the clay out about 1/2 inch larger than your egg holder to give yourself a little wiggle room to trimn down. We made a 6-egg holder, though many people make 12-cup versions. We found 6 eggs much easier to manage.

3. Some tutorials use separate plastic trays for shaping, but we felt that defeated the purpose of using what you already have around the house. A traditional paper egg carton worked beautifully for us, and we’ll use a damp sponge later to smooth out any imperfections.

4. Place the clay sheet over the carton, then use your wooden eggs to gently press the clay into the wells and shape the egg holder.

5. Carefully trim around the egg carton to create your desired outer edge.

6. Next, grab a sponge and some water. Make sure the sponge is damp, not soaking wet, and smooth the edges and inside of the tray.

7. Let your tray dry for 24 hours, then check to make sure it is fully dry before moving on.

8. Paint the egg holder in an off-white or any color you love using All-in-One Paint or Chalk Paint + Top Coat. Make sure the paint is completely dry before applying transfers. If you are unsure, refer to our Transfer 101 tutorial—one of the biggest reasons transfers fail to adhere is improper prep or paint that has not dried long enough.

9. Apply the Emily Clare Transfer. Since you’ll be working over lots of curves, the key is trimming your “frame” into smaller sections. Position each piece where you want it, then press it down into the deepest part of the curve first. Use scissors to snip a small line into the transfer backing to relieve tension, which allows the piece to lay down more naturally and follow the shape of the egg holder. Overlap pieces as needed to keep the look of one unified frame.

10. Add UV resin inside the egg cavities for a glossy finished look, curing according to the product directions.

11. Be careful not to let too much UV resin pool in the egg cavities, or it can bubble and affect how the eggs sit. Ours ended up a little thicker than we would have liked, so we’re passing that lesson along to you.

12. Once everything is fully cured, your beautiful egg display is complete. Style it with your wooden eggs as-is, or add a few transfer scraps to coordinate them with the holder.

And just like that—some items you probably already have around the house turned into something charming and full of personality. The Emily Clare Transfer adds the sweetest touch here, don’t you think? Happy creating!

If you're just kicking off your creative journey, have no fear — our Product 101 pages are packed with straightforward techniques to set you up for success. We're thrilled to accompany you as you explore and create. For more how-tos and creative inspo, make sure to browse through the rest of our blog.

Once you've crafted your final piece, share it with our Facebook Creative Tribe! This community is not just a showcase but also a supportive hub for when you hit those creative roadblocks. And remember, your local stockist is always ready to assist with IOD supplies and expert advice. We're excited to see what you'll bring to life!