Hi friends! If bunnies, carrots, and soft spring details make your heart do a little happy dance, you’re in the right place. Today we’re sharing the sweetest upcycle from IOD Artisan Connie Hemmer, turning a tall ceramic mug into charming spring decor using IOD Air Dry Clay, the Les Lapins Mould, and the Spring Garden Mould. It is soooo gosh darn cute! 😍

Connie shares her process for crisp castings with air dry clay, then builds a whole spring harvest right onto the mug with layered carrots, sweet peas, and a darling bunny. You’ll see how she trims and staggers the carrots for varied height, and even adjusts the bunny so his ears tuck right up near the rim.

She also shares a few finishing steps to help your castings dry beautifully, plus her favorite dry brushing approach using warm oranges and lush greens on the veggies, gentle whites and pinks on the bunny, and a few bright highlights to make all those intricate details pop.

And just wait until you spot the tiny pea pod tucked near the handle…such a darling surprise. Grab your IOD goodies from your local stockist! If you’re not sure where to find one, click here to use our store locator.

• Spring Garden Mould
• Les Lepins Mould 
• Air Dry Clay

• Thrifted Tall Coffee Mug
• Wood Glue 
• DIY Weathered Wood
• DIY Summer Crush
• DIY Liquid Sunshine
• DIY Carnival Red
• DIY Gypsy Green
• DIY White Swan
• DIY Big Top Sealer
• DIY Clear and Dark Wax

STEP ONE: CAST YOUR MOULDS

To begin, grab the Spring Garden Mould and the Les Lapins Mould for your bunny. Give it a generous dusting of cornstarch - this pro tip helps the IOD Air Dry Clay release cleanly, especially in all those detailed nooks and crannies.

Press the clay into the mould, then work it into the micro-rim and let that micro-rim do the hard work for you. For extra-delicate pieces (like the wispy carrot tops), a quick stint in the freezer firms the clay just enough to make it easier to handle.

STEP TWO: APPLY YOUR CASTINGS

While the clay is still wet, stagger the carrot castings so some are a little higher, some a little lower. Then trim the ends with a sharp knife for a clean fit.

Connie adjusts the bunny casting, placing him center stage as the star of the show. To keep those ears fully intact at the rim, she simply trims a bit off the bottom of the bunny.

STEP THREE: PAINT TO SEAL THE CASTINGS

Once your air dry clay is partially set, seal it with a rich brown paint. This initial layer of paint not only slows the drying process but also minimizes potential cracking. After 24 hours, inspect for any missed spots and touch up as needed before sealing everything with a clear coat.

STEP FOUR: PAINT YOUR MUG

Start with dry brushing (load your brush, then wipe most of the paint off on a paper towel). Lightly sweep what’s left over the spring garden castings so the raised mould details show through. For the carrots, build color in layers using orange, yellow, and a touch of red for depth.

Next, dry-brush the bunny in a soft off-white, keeping it light so you don’t cover the texture. Add a little pink to the cheeks and inside the ears, then finish with a few bright highlights to make the details pop.

STEP FIVE: SEAL YOUR PROJECT

Since this mug is for decor, it’s perfect for a wax finish. Start with clear wax to seal in all those scrumptious details, then follow with a touch of dark wax to settle into the crevices and bring out the depth.

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!