You know that feeling when you find the perfect vintage piece—one that’s functional and beautiful—but it comes with a hefty price tag? Well, today we’re making our own version, and trust us, it’s every bit as dreamy as a high-end antique shop find!

In this tutorial, we’re working with IOD Moulds, resin (or Air Dry Clay!), and fun paint techniques to upcycle a wooden board into a darling vintage key holder. Nothing makes our hearts sing like wild berries in the springtime, which is why we're using the sprawling vines and tumbling berries from our Wild Berries mould. Whether you need a spot to hang jewelry, keys, or little decorative treasures, this project is as practical as it is adorable.

Grab your IOD products and supplies by using the store locator and finding a stockist near you.

Let’s make something beautiful together! ♥️

IOD Products Needed: 

• IOD Wild Berries Mould

Other Supplies: 

• Wooden Wall Plaque
• Resin or Air Dry Clay
• Hooks
• Thick and Quick Glue
• Chalk Paint
• Acrylic Paints

*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: CREATE YOUR MOULD CASTINGS

First things first! For this tutorial, we’re using resin to speed up dry time, but this would be absolutely fabulous with IOD Air Dry Clay too! So go with whatever works best for you.

If you’re using resin, don’t forget those gloves! Pour out your 1:1 ratio, mix thoroughly, and get to pouring. We like to pour into all the cavities because we don’t know exactly how our layouts are going to go. Pop any leftovers in a bag for a future project. Now, let it sit until fully cured, then demould.

STEP TWO: CREATE & SECURE YOUR COMPOSITION WITH GLUE

Time to glue down those gorgeous castings! We love using Thick & Quick glue—it’s got a great grip, so your castings actually stay put right where you want them. No sliding, no shifting, just a nice, secure hold.

For this piece, we wanted the branches to feel like they were cascading down from above, tumbling toward the hooks in a lush flurry of leaves and berries. Once the main branches are in place, tuck in extra bits and berries until you’re totally in love with the layout. 

STEP THREE: PAINT YOUR BASE LAYER

Once your castings are set (they don’t need to be fully dry), it’s time to bring it all together with paint. We went with a beautiful, soft sage green—the perfect blend of vintage charm and fresh, springtime elegance. Apply evenly, using a small brush to get into all the nooks and crannies. Let fully dry.

STEP FOUR: PAINT THE BERRIES ON YOUR CASTINGS

We mixed up some custom acrylic shades, but if chalk paint is what you have on hand, that’ll work beautifully too. We went for deep purples, soft reds, and a dark pink to represent blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries.

Using a fine art brush, gently dab the color onto the berries, avoiding the leaves as much as possible. No need for full coverage here—the glaze will do the heavy lifting later. The goal is to build up soft, natural hints of color that will peek through in the final finish. Let dry before moving on.

Something we didn’t show on camera—you’ll want to seal your piece at this stage! Our go-to is General Finishes Flat-Out-Flat but definitely check with your local stockist for their recommendation.

(And trust us, you don’t want to skip this step. Sealing now prevents the glaze from pulling the paint all the way back to the casting. Ask us how we know. 😉)

STEP FIVE: APPLY A GLAZE FINISH

Once your sealer is dry, it’s time for glazing! You can use a premade glaze like we did, or mix up your own with one part chalk paint to four parts water—just be sure to stir well!

Apply with a soft brush, letting it settle into all those gorgeous details. Then, grab a damp cloth or paper towel and dab, don’t wipe! This keeps the finish soft and subtle. Trust us, it makes all the difference! 😍

STEP SIX: ADD HOOKS FOR THE FINISHING TOUCH

Once your piece is dry, it’s time for the finishing touch—hooks! We used three, but feel free to customize based on your needs. Want a spot for necklaces and bracelets? Opt for smaller hooks placed closer together. Thinking of a key holder? Go for larger hooks with a bit more space in between.

Line them up as best you can, screw them in, and just like that—your project is complete! 

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!