You know how it goes...one minute you're packing lunches and driving to soccer practice, and the next, the whole week has flown by without a single second spent in your creative space. We've all been there. Sometimes, all it takes is one quiet hour with your hands in clay or paint to bring a whole lot of peace and joy to the week.

That’s why we love this project. It started with a plain ol' vase, nothing fancy, no frills, just something we picked up from the local thrift store. Once we added a few castings from the Heraldry Mould it turned into this majestic little beauty with so much texture and charm.

Grab your coffee, gather your IOD supplies from your local stockist, and let’s make something beautiful, no matter how full your day is. ❤️

IOD Products Needed: 

• Heraldry Mould
• Air Dry Clay

Other Supplies: 

• Grey Glaze
• Soft White Chalk-Type Paint
• Thick and Quick Glue
• Thrifted Vase

*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: CLEAN YOUR VASE

We picked up our vase from the thrift store, so yours might look totally different, and that’s part of the charm! Each piece has its own story. Give it a quick wipe-down with water to remove any dust or residue before you begin.

STEP TWO: CREATE YOUR CASTING

Start by casting your mould. We picked the rose and two wings, using a light dusting of cornstarch before adding in the clay. We recommend using larger chunks of clay and removing any excess with the micro rim on the mould. This helps prevent creases or cracking where the clay overlaps on itself. Repeat until you have all your castings.

STEP THREE: APPLY YOUR CASTINGS WITH GLUE

We use Thick and Quick Glue to adhere our castings, starting with the rose. Press gently into place, easing it against the curved nature of the vase until all edges are firmly adhered. For the wings, we overlapped them in the back to give a little more interest, wrapping forward so there is detail on all sides.

STEP FOUR: PAINT YOUR VASE

Once applied, with a fine art brush, paint with your favourite chalk paint. We used a soft white and gently applied it over the wet clay. This can help the piece to cure with fewer cracks as it dries more evenly. We applied two coats of chalk-type paint.

STEP FIVE: APPLY A GLAZE AND SEALER

Let your casting dry completely. Trust us, wet clay and glaze are not friends. 😅 Once it's dry, we used a soft grey glaze, but you can easily whip one up using chalk-style paint. Just mix one part paint to four parts water and stir well. Apply it with a fine art brush, then gently blot away the excess with a damp paper towel or shop cloth. Once you're happy with the look, seal your project.

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!