I've already started cleaning off my dining room table to create space for my IOD christmas molds, because let's be honest, holiday creating is a marathon, not a sprint. Presently there is something so satisfying about pressing a lump associated with clay into the detailed silicone mold and pulling away a perfect little vintage-style bell or a delicate sprig of holly. If you've been hanging close to the DIY picture for some time, you most likely know that Iron Orchid Designs (IOD) really nailed this when they moved into the world of holiday decor. They don't simply make generic stars and trees; these people create these extremely intricate, high-quality designs that make your projects look like these people left a high-end boutique rather than a messy art room.
If you're new in order to using these, or maybe you've got a few tucked apart in a drawer plus aren't sure where to start, I've got plenty associated with suggestions to get those creative juices flowing. Whether you're into the rustic farm house look or else you choose something a bit more "Victorian glam, " these types of molds are essentially the secret tool for taking your Christmas decor in order to the next level.
Why These types of Molds Are a Total Game Changer
I've tried various brands over the years, but I keep returning to IOD due to the quality. The silicon is thick, long lasting, and has exactly what they call the "micro-rim. " It might sound like a little detail, yet that little rim around the edge of each design helps you get a clean, level back on the casting. If you've ever battled with clay "flashing" or jagged edges, you'll know exactly why this issues. It makes the between a form that looks expert and one that will seems like a middle school art project.
Another thing I love is the sheer scale. Some of the IOD christmas molds are quite huge, which is perfect intended for bigger projects like furniture or wall structure art. Others are tiny and delicate, ideal for making jewelry or embellishing present tags. They really thought about the versatility, which I actually appreciate because We hate buying a device that I can only use for one particular specific thing.
Choosing Your Medium: Clay vs. Resin
This is usually usually the 1st question people ask: should I use air-dry clay or resin? Honestly, it is dependent on what you're making and exactly how much patience you have.
Air-dry clay is our go-to for many items. It's easy to function with, relatively affordable, and gives you that beautiful, dull, stone-like finish. It's also great mainly because you can utilize the casting to a curved surface while it's nevertheless wet. If you're decorating a round ornaments or a curved glass jar, clay is definitely the way to go. Just remember to use a little bit of bit of cornstarch in the mildew first so the particular clay doesn't stay. Trust me, much more a world associated with difference.
Resin , on the other hands, is perfect if you need something durable or if a person want that sharp, hard-plastic feel. It's great for producing ornaments that might get bumped close to or for items that will be managed a lot. The detail you obtain with resin is definitely insane—you can see every tiny collection and texture. The particular downside is the smell and the particular wait time, yet for certain projects, it's unbeatable.
Some Fun Task Ideas to Try out
Once you've got your castings made, the heavens may be the limit. Here are a several things I've been focusing on lately that really show off exactly what these molds may do.
Hand made Ornaments
This is actually the most obvious use, however for a good reason. You may make an entire tree's worth of ornaments for just several dollars. I like using the bauble-style molds to produce "vintage" mercury glass looks. A person just cast the piece, paint this with a darkish metallic color, after which hit the high spots with some gold wax or gilding paste. These people look heavy and expensive, but they're actually light plenty of that they won't weigh down your own tree branches.
Elevated Gift Wrapping
I'm a sucker for quite gift wrapping. Instead of just sticking a plastic bow on the box, try gluing a small clay casting onto an item of kraft papers or a purple velvet ribbon. A small clay snowflake or a sprig of evergreen from a single of the IOD christmas molds makes a simple gift look so much even more thoughtful. Plus, the particular person receiving the particular gift can keep the particular casting and suspend it independently tree later.
Joyful Furniture Flips
If you're straight into furniture painting, don't stop simply because it's December. Adding a few festive "appliques" in order to the corners of the mirror or the front of a small chest can totally transform a piece. I've seen some amazing aspect tables where people added the "Christmas Eve" village scenes along the apron from the table. It's subtle enough that it doesn't look tacky, but it adds that special holiday touch towards the area.
Tricks for Getting a Perfect Sending your line Every Time
We've all already been there—you try to pull the clay-based out and it also rips, or half of this stays stuck in the mold. It's frustrating, but it's usually an simple fix.
First, don't skip the cornstarch . Just take a cheap make-up brush, dip this in cornstarch, plus dust the inside of the mold. Tap your excess. This particular acts as a release real estate agent and ensures your clay pops best out without dropping any of that lovely detail.
Following, don't hesitate to layer . You don't need to use the entire mold at once. Sometimes I'll just use a small portion associated with a larger style to create the custom look. You may also layer different castings on top of each other to create a 3D effect that has a lot of depth and "wow" aspect.
Third, if you're using clay-based, stuff it down while it's still damp . If a person let the clay dry completely just before gluing it to your project, it might warp a little, making it more difficult to get the flush fit. Use a good high quality wood glue or Tacky Glue, apply it to the back again of the moist casting, and push it firmly onto your surface. If there are any tiny spaces around the edges, you are able to just fill up them in with a little bit of extra clay or some wood filler later.
Painting and Finishing Touches
This particular is where the real magic occurs. A plain white clay casting is fine, but when a person add paint plus wax, that's whenever the details actually pop.
I usually start with basics coat of chalk color. Once that's dry, I'll go ahead along with a dark wax or a double glazed liquid to settle into all those nooks and crannies. This particular creates shadows plus makes the design look three-dimensional. After the particular wax is dry, I take a small bit of material wax or gilding paste on the finger and simply lightly "kiss" the highest points of the design. It's like magic—suddenly everything that intricate texture through the IOD christmas molds is shimmering plus catching the lighting.
If you're going for a more multi-colored look, try "dry brushing. " Use a brush along with almost no color on it and lightly flick it over the surface. It accumulates color gradually and keeps the particular deep parts of the mold dark, which is exactly what you want for a vintage, weathered look.
Making Reminiscences and Gifts
One of the best things about these molds will be that they're food-safe too. Now, We wouldn't use the same mold regarding clay and then go make biscuits, but if there is a dedicated set, you can use them with fondant or chocolate. Picture how cute the gingerbread house might look with molded chocolate decorations!
Every year, I consider to make a few extra sets associated with ornaments or embellished jars to give aside to neighbors and teachers. Individuals are constantly so impressed that they're handmade, plus I usually don't have the center to tell them exactly how easy it really was. There's just something about the holiday season which makes you want to slow down and create something with your own hands.
Whether or not you're making a massive wall dangling or just a few tiny tags for your neighbors' cookies, I really hope you have simply because much fun along with your IOD christmas molds as I do. It's like a relaxing way to spend the cold evening, as well as the results are usually something you can be proud to show. Happy crafting!