If you’re anything like us, you’re probably scurrying around this time of year with air dry clay in one hand and a shopping list in the other, trying to make “all the things” for the holidays. 😅 Somewhere between the handmade decor, the gift-giving, and the cookie-eating, it’s easy to forget one very important detail: there’s so much joy in creating with your two hands.

For some of us, the joy is in rescuing something discarded and making it beautiful again. For others, it’s the challenge. And some of you are just dipping your toes into a new hobby that will, if we’re honest, probably turn into an obsession. 😂

A big part of our manifesto is this: Everyone is Creative, and Created to be so by the Creator Himself. Wherever you are in your handmade holiday journey, we’d love to gently remind you to look for the joy in the making—not just the finished piece.

Did you know you can DIY decoupage paper with tissue from your stash and a couple of IOD Stamps? Instead of buying specialty papers, you can grab tissue, your favorite IOD Decor Ink, and a stamp like Christmas Post, stamp your design, then flip the tissue over and brush a light coat of white chalk-style paint on the back to help all those pretty details pop.

Today’s project is a sweet little example of all of this. One of our lovely Artisans, Sonnet Uhlenbrauck, upcycled a collection of thrifted tins using custom decoupage paper made with IOD Stamps and Transfers. Gather your supplies from your local or online stockist, and let’s take a peek at how she did it. 💛

IOD Products Needed: 

• Christmas Post Stamp
• The Waltz Stamp 
• Kindest Regards Stamp 
• Santa’s Hollow Transfer 
• IOD Black Decor Ink 
• IOD Ink Pad

Other Supplies: 

• Thrifted Tins or Jars 
• White Chalk Type Paint*
• Decoupage Paper 
• Decoupage Medium 
• Satin Black Spray Paint
• Red Chalk Type Paint*
• Spray Sealer 
• Dark Wax 

*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: PREP & PAINT YOUR TINS

Once you’ve gathered your thrifted tins, give them a good clean so there’s no dust or grease hanging around. Then brush on a base coat of white chalk-style paint. A bright background like this really lets your custom decoupage and transfers pop.

STEP TWO: PREP AND APPLY TISSUE-STYLE DECOUPAGE 

Next, grab your tissue-style decoupage paper and cut pieces to fit each tin. Leave a tiny bit of overhang around the edges—you’ll sand that back later for a snug fit.

Brush on a layer of decoupage medium and lay down a small “starter strip” of paper. Lightly mist the rest of your paper to relax the fibers, then gently smooth it into place, working out wrinkles and bubbles as you go so it hugs the tin nicely. Let the decoupage medium dry completely before moving on.

STEP THREE: PAINT AND DISTRESS THE LIDS 

Paint the lids in a satin black first, then follow with a bright red chalk-style paint. While the red is still workable, wet distress the edges to let a bit of the black peek through. 

Once you’re happy with the finish, seal everything with a clear topcoat to protect your hard work.

STEP FOUR: CREATE CUSTOM DECOUPAGE PAPER

To create custom decoupage paper, grab some tissue paper, IOD Decor Ink, and a few of your favorite IOD Stamps. For this project, Sonnet reached for two classics: The Waltz and Kindest Regards.

Once the stamping is dry, she flips the tissue over and brushes a light coat of white chalk-type paint on the back. It’s a simple step, but it really makes those stamped details pop when you layer them onto your project.

Once the tissue paper is dry, she dips a brush in water and “draws” her tear lines, then gently pulls the paper apart to reveal a soft, feathery edge. From there, she dresses up the decoupage pieces with the Santa’s Hollow Transfer, giving them a vintagey finish.

STEP FIVE: SEAL & ADDED DETAIL

After your transfers are in place, brush on a final topcoat. If you want a little extra character, work some dark wax around the edges.

What we love most about Sonnet’s project isn’t just how pretty they turned out (though, they’re so sweet 😍). It’s how the process itself mirrors so much of what we believe about creativity: taking something discarded and upcycling it so it can become a vessel for beauty, gifting, and memory.

You can take the same tips from this tutorial and try them on cookie tins, tea canisters, and jewelry boxes. Mix in different IOD Stamps, reach for another Transfer, or play with glazes.

Wherever you are in your handmade holiday journey, we hope this reminds you to slow down, experiment a little, and enjoy the making. 

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!