Spring has a funny way of making us want to grow a bit by trying a new technique, stretching those creative muscles…and yes, occasionally use crafting as a very legitimate form of spring-cleaning procrastination (tell us we’re not the only ones 😅).

Today’s tutorial is the sweetest excuse to do exactly that. Our lovely IOD Artisan Lynne Brundage is sharing a charming spring plaque built on the Small Oval Wood Gallery Blank—the perfect foundation for a wall, a vignette, or a gift stack. 

She starts with a soft white base, then layers in those elegant bits from Saint Ouen alongside the vibrant botanicals of Flora Greca—birds, bees, butterflies, and blooms that feel like they were gathered from a French flea market stall and pressed into a storybook page. Then Lynne casts a handsome bunny from Les Lapins in quick-set resin and brings him to life with layered paints and glazes, finishing it all with a touch of gold wax and a beautiful bow.

The result is a springy heirloom—ready to hang, gift, or warm your home for the season.

Grab your IOD goodies from your local stockist and follow along—this one is full of techniques you’ll reach for again and again. If you’re not sure where to find a stockist near you, use our store locator. 💕

• Small Oval Wood Gallery Blank 
• Saint Ouen Transfer 
• Flora Greca Transfer 
• Les Lapins Mould 
• Wreath & Swags Mould 
• IOD Air Dry Clay 

• White Chalk Type Paint* 
• Quickset Resin 
• Gold Paint
• Titebond Quick & Thick Glue
• Brown Glaze 
• Soft Pink Paint 
• Brown Chalk Type Paint* 
• Gold Wax 
• Water-Based Varnish Sealer 
• Bow + Hot Glue 

*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 ONE: PAINT YOUR WOOD GALLERY BLANK 

The foundation of this project is the sweetest little Small Oval Wood Gallery Blank. Start by giving it two coats of white paint. The blank already has a built-in top coat, which makes it wonderfully friendly for transfers, so once your paint is fully dry, you’re ready for the fun part.

STEP TWO: CUT & ARRANGE TRANSFERS 

For this project, Lynne is using the Saint Ouen Transfer, with all those delightful snippets and ephemera that feel like treasures from an elegant French flea market, and the Flora Greca Transfer, brimming with vibrant botanicals, birds, bees, and butterflies. She chose a purple bouquet as the main background element—it sets the prettiest stage for all the layers to come.

STEP THREE: CAST YOUR MOULD & APPLY TRANSFERS

To complement that floral background, add a handsome rabbit using the Les Lapins Mould. Mix your resin according to the manufacturer's instructions, pour it into the mould, and let it set.

Once your white base coat is completely dry on the wood blank, find your center and start playing around with your transfers. When your layout feels balanced, use the applicator stick to gently burnish each piece onto the surface, tucking the typography and florals around your bunny so everything feels layered and intentional.

STEP FOUR: MOULD CASTINGS FOR THE FRAME

To add even more depth, frame your plaque with the new Wreath & Swags Mould. Give the mould a light dusting of cornstarch, roll your air-dry clay into a rope, then press it firmly into the swag sections. Once you release the castings, place them around the edge until the spacing feels just right, then secure them with glue.

STEP FIVE: PAINT YOUR RABBIT 

Paint your rabbit with a thin wash of white paint, letting the resin’s texture and low points peek through. Then add a brown glaze to deepen the shadows and gently define the bunny’s features. From there, use a dry-brush to build up wispy layers of white on the high points for extra dimension, and grab a fine brush to paint any tiny details like the eyes.

STEP SIX: PAINT THE FRAME & FINAL TOUCHES 

For the frame, brush on a brown wash with brown chalk type paint and water to accentuate all that mould detail, then add a touch of gold wax on the high spots. Finish with a water-based varnish for a durable seal, then top it off with a big, beautiful bow secured with a dab of glue.

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!