What could be sweeter than a sugar plum fairy themed Christmas? Where every piece of holiday decor dances like a scene from your favorite holiday storybook. 😍

Our lovely IOD Artisan Connie Hemmer is sharing her latest thrift store treasure—a sturdy wooden box upcycled with the Sugar Plum Stamp from our 2025 Holiday Collection. You can never have enough charming storage during the holidays, can you? This sweet box would be perfect for displaying heartfelt Christmas cards, candy canes, or delicate heirloom ornaments.

Connie created this beautifully crumbly, vintage flea market finish with pops of playful watercolor that we absolutely adore.

Grab your IOD supplies from your local stockist and let's create something beautiful together. 

IOD Products Needed: 

• Sugar Plum Stamp 
• IOD Air Dry Clay 
• IOD Thin Mount
• IOD Black Decor Ink
• IOD Ink Pad

Other Supplies: 

• Clear Sealer 
• White Clay-Based Paint
• Texture Powder 
• Fine Grit Sandpaper 
• Watercolors 
• Dark Brown Paint 
• Clear Wax
• Dark Wax

Step-by-Step Guide

STEP ONE: PREP & CLEAN THE WOOD BOX

Connie began by removing the hardware from her wooden box, revealing years of built-up grime beneath. A good cleaning and prep are key to any successful upcycle, preparing your project for all the lovely details to come. She then filled the holes with IOD Air Dry Clay and finished with a clear sealer to create a smooth surface that’s ready for paint. 

STEP TWO: PAINT THE WOODEN BOX

Connie created a beautifully chippy finish on her wooden box by using clay-based paint mixed with texture powder. She gently scraped the surface until it resembled a vintage patina.

STEP THREE: STAMP THE WOODEN BOX

With her surface prepped and stamps ready to go, Connie arranged her composition on an IOD Thin Mount before stamping her wooden box with the Sugar Plum Stamp. She layered darling gnomes, twinkly ornaments, and sweet little fairies. 

STEP FOUR: PLAY WITH WATERCOLORS 

Connie dressed up her Sugar Plum ballerinas using soft watercolor washes. Once everything was dry, she lightly sanded the surface, preserving that dreamy vintage sophistication. 

STEP FIVE: STAMP VINTAGE DETAILS ON THE INSIDE

Inside, Connie created a vintage postcard finish, distressing the surface with watered-down dark paint for a little hint of nostalgia. 

STEP SIX: FINISH WITH DARK WAX & SEALER

Connie put the finishing touches on her piece with clear wax and a sweep of dark wax, bringing out all that beautiful wood grain and texture.

We all have our own take on Christmas aesthetics, don’t we? The real charm of Christmas decor isn’t about perfection, but rather about creating a feeling. That soft, dreamy kind of enchantment where everything is a little whimsical… where vintage patinas and playful pops of color make your home feel warm and personal.

Whatever your holiday aesthetic looks like, we hope this tutorial inspires you to repurpose salvaged finds or craft keepsake pieces for the ones you love. We can’t wait to see how you invite cozy, heartfelt beauty to your own home this season. 

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!