Have you ever stood in a field of tulips at springtime and felt their color and velvety texture almost jump out at you? Imagine capturing a little bit of that moment in a piece that lasts—made with air-dry clay, IOD Moulds, and your own creative hands. 

In this tutorial, our lovely IOD Artisan Michelle Phippard shares her creative process, including tips for manipulating the clay and shaping those delicate details. And because creating doesn’t always go as planned, she also shares a few hiccups along the way, then gives you two different finish options at the end, one with a rich green background and one with a soft whitewashed background. We love this one because it’s an encouraging reminder to stay flexible, keep experimenting, and let the “what if I try this?” moments lead you to a project you genuinely love.

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

• IOD Air Dry Clay
• Tulips Mould 
• Ditsy Blooms Paint Inlay 

• Corn Starch 
• Wood Board 
• Titebond Quick & Thick Glue
• Pallet Knife 
• Green Chalk-Type Paint* 
• Pink Chalk-Type Paint* 
• White Paint 
• Spray Sealer 

*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: APPLY YOUR PAINT INLAY 

Michelle starts by painting her piece with a green chalk-type paint, then applies a section of the Ditsy Bloom Paint Inlay. Once it’s fully dry, she mists the inlay backing and gently removes it to reveal a beautiful floral background on the surface. She seals her Paint Inlay with a spray sealer. 

STEP TWO: CAST YOUR MOULDS 

Lightly dust your mould with cornstarch before adding the air-dry clay. Keep your clay soft and pliable by working with it in your hands, then press it firmly into the mould, working from the center out to the edges. Decast the mould to reveal your tulip casting.

Tip: Keep any unused clay covered with a damp paper towel so it doesn’t dry out while you work.

STEP THREE: APPLY CLAY CASTINGS 

To attach the castings, Michelle uses Titebond Quick & Thick for a strong hold, then grabs a stiff, dry brush to remove any excess glue around the edges. And don’t be afraid to play around while the clay is still workable; you can stretch a stem, tilt a leaf, or nudge details into a shape that fits your design.

STEP FOUR: PAINT YOUR PROJECT 

Michelle builds the stems and leaves with layered greens, then paints the petals in a mix of pink tones for a soft, dimensional look. A light whitewash over the background brightens everything up and creates a lovely contrast for the tulips.

Creating isn’t always about perfection. This piece took evolving, imagining, and embracing the process’s ups and downs to land on a creation as vibrant as the one you are reaching toward.

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!