Don’t you just love it when your home decor is both darling and functional? There’s something so satisfying about using the things you create, especially when they’re this charming! 🥰

In today’s tutorial, we’re turning a plain block of wood into the sweetest little napkin holder for your French country kitchen. It feels like something you’d scoop up on a Sunday stroll through a French flea market. We used two resin roosters from the Chanticleer mould back-to-back, and gave them a soft white glaze to highlight every feathery detail.

Grab your IOD supplies from your local stockist, and let’s make something lovely. ❤️

IOD Products Needed: 

• Chanticleer Mould

Other Supplies: 

• Blue Chalk-Type Paint
• White Chalk-Type Paint
• Thick & Quick Glue
• Wood Block
• Painters Tape

*we used a chalk-type paint in this tutorial, but there are many brands and types of paint, talk to your stockist to learn which one is right for you!

Step-by-Step Guide

STEP ONE: CAST YOUR MOULD

First things first, let’s cast those roosters! 🐓 While we love to use air dry clay, this project requires the strength of resin to keep things free from chipping with everyday use. Mix your resin in a 1:1 ratio (always follow your manufacturer’s instructions), don’t forget your gloves, and be sure to work in a well-ventilated space. A light spritz of mould release can help your castings pop out cleanly. Let them set fully before you demould. 

STEP TWO: GLUE YOUR PROJECT TOGETHER

When it’s time to glue, keep some painter’s tape nearby; it’ll help keep everything in place. Place your wood block on a flat surface and make sure it stays flush with the table as you attach your roosters. Since the castings have a curved bottom edge, you’ll want to be sure they don’t hang too low; otherwise, your napkin holder might wobble. Once everything’s lined up just right, add a bit of tape to secure it all in place and let it dry fully.

STEP THREE: PAINT YOUR PROJECT

We chose a beautiful, French blue for our base color and painted the whole project using a fine art brush. It only took one coat for this beauty! Next, we grabbed a soft white chalk paint and a clean art brush. You’ll want to offload most of the paint before you start, so keep a paper towel nearby. No drips here, just a light touch! Hold your brush almost flat and gently glide it over the raised details, especially those gorgeous feathers. Do the same along the edges of the block to keep everything looking cohesive.

STEP FOUR: SEAL YOUR PROJECT

It’s time to seal your project. Once it’s all dry, your Chanticleer napkin holder will hold a packet of cocktail-sized napkins perfectly! 🥰

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!