Upcycle Fabulous Holiday Heirlooms with IOD Artisan Vonnie Smith
We’re completely in love with the heart behind this project from our darling IOD Artisan, Vonnie Smith. In her tutorial, Vonnie shares how her inspiration came from her mother’s holiday decor. Those spendy heirloom pieces she’d watch her mom unwrap with care each year. You know the ones… where every chip, every bit of patina holds a story.
Vonnie salvaged a thrifted milk can and enamel jug to recreate the kind of beauty that can't be bought new. It's not just about making something pretty (though these pieces are absolutely darling), but about crafting pieces that give you butterflies when you pull them out of storage year after year.
Using the Winter Botanist Transfer and Figgy & Flourish Gilded Transfer, Vonnie layers paint and texture powder to create a crumbly, vintage finish. Through thoughtful layering and intentional detail, she crafts decor that feels Christmassy yet versatile enough to display long past the holiday season.
This is crafting with intention. With memory. With heart. ❤️
So grab your thrift store finds (whatever speaks to you), gather your IOD supplies from your local stockist, and let's create something that will become part of your own treasured collection.
IOD Products Needed:
Other Supplies:
- Mineral Brown Paint
- Mineral Green Paint
- Texture Powder
- Sandpaper
- Clear Wax
Step by Step Guide
STEP ONE: PAINTING THRIFTED FINDS
The plan is to start by building a beautifully textured foundation on a couple of thrifted treasures. Vonnie mixed a lovely brown paint with texture powder, followed by the most charming vintage green.
Using an old chip brush, she gently stippled the paint across the surface, creating those delightful little raised bits that make a piece feel full of character. Once everything dried, she brushed on a few coats of green paint, exactly the hue she envisioned for this project.
STEP TWO: SELECT AND APPLY THE TRANSFERS
Oh, the sweet agony of choosing transfers! With so many beautiful options, narrowing it down is always the hardest part. For Vonnie’s milk can, she layered delicate birds, nests, and botanicals from the Winter Botanist Transfer with graceful gilded details from Figgy & Flourish.
She tucked the gilded foliage beneath the florals and birds, adding depth and a touch of sophistication. It’s that perfect balance, elegant and refined, but not too Christmassy, making it just as lovely for winter decor as it is for the holidays.
Once the main details were in place, she added a sweet little butterfly. This step is all about instinct, trusting your eye, and balancing the details.
STEP THREE: SEALING WITH WAX
Once the design felt just right, Vonnie applied a clear wax. The wax not only protects the delicate transfer layers but also deepens the paint tones, adding a soft, velvety glow.
Craft Sweet Surprises
Imagine a collection of thrifted glass jars or cookie tins, each one repurposed with this same loving technique. A textured paint base with winter botanicals and birds dancing across the surface. And beneath it all, gorgeous gilded accents from Figgy & Flourish.
Fill them with homemade cookies, candied nuts, or hot cocoa mix. Tuck in little treasures that speak to the person you're gifting. This is something they'll want to keep on their shelf long after the treats are gone, because it was made with intention.
Making It Your Own
As you're creating this season, think beyond your own decor. Think about who might need a little extra love. Who might light up at receiving something generously handmade? Who deserves to know they're thought of during this busy, beautiful, sometimes overwhelming time of year?
Vonnie created pieces inspired by her mother's collection. But you? You might be creating the start of someone else's treasured collection. A gift they'll unwrap year after year, remembering the season you made it, the thoughtfulness behind it, and the love that went into every detail.
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!
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