It began the way so many of our favorite projects do—spotting that perfect little piece at a garage sale. A jewelry box sitting off to the side, a bit scuffed, and kind of forgotten. But it had good bones.

In today’s tutorial, our lovely IOD Artisan Alena Lara upcycles a garage sale find into a sophisticated vintage beauty using the Clementine Transfer and Dainty Flourishes Mould. She gives it a soft gray chalk-style foundation, then adds a delicate wash that settles into the nooks and edges like gentle, timeworn wear. From there, she builds in those delicious mould details to make it feel embellished and intentional, without losing its charm.

This upcycle turns a once-overlooked little box into something that feels like it was found in a vintage shop, waiting patiently for the right home. If you love thrifted flips with a romantic finish, this one’s going to steal your heart. ❤️

Grab your IOD goodies from your local stockist! If you’re not sure where to find one, click here to use our store locator.

• Clementine Transfer
• Dainty Flourishes Mould 
• IOD Air Dry Clay

• Thrifted Jewelry Box
• Soft Grey Chalk Type Paint*
• Lavender Chalk Type Paint*
• Painters Tape
• Strong Super Glue 
• Gold Gilding Paint 

*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 ONE: CLEAN & PAINT THE JEWELRY BOX

To start, Alena applied two coats of a soft gray chalk-style paint, then let it dry for about four hours. That dry time keeps the paint nice and stable, so the next wash settles in beautifully without lifting or disturbing what’s underneath.

STEP TWO: APPLY A PAINT WASH

The vintage sophistication really comes alive in the paint wash. Alena mixed lavender with a creamy white, then thinned it down to a wash with roughly equal parts paint and water. Working in small sections, she brushed it on and then dabbed with a rag while it was still wet, creating that soft, textured finish.

STEP THREE: APPLY THE TRANSFER

Once the wash was completely dried, it was time for the Clementine Transfer. For a vertical piece like this, Alena used painter’s tape to secure the transfer in place, working from top to bottom to avoid any air bubbles or misalignment.

STEP FOUR: ADORN WITH DAINTY FLOURISHES 

This upcycle wouldn’t be complete without some elegant embellishments. Alena used IOD Air Dry Clay in her Dainty Flourishes Mould to craft corner pieces for each drawer. The beauty of using Air Dry Clay is its inherent imperfections; slight cracks appear as it dries, adding to the vintage sophistication of the piece. These were carefully glued in place with a robust super glue.

STEP FIVE: FINAL TOUCHES

Once the castings were secured, Alena painted the castings in the same shade as the jewelry box to soften everything into a beautifully cohesive finish. Then she added a gentle touch of gold gilding on the raised details, just enough to catch the light and highlight all that delicious texture. The result feels richly romantic and perfectly at home on a dresser.

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!