A Quiet Visit to My Worktable ~ Romantic Details: Creating with IOD Moulds at the Atelier
Romantic Details: Creating with IOD Moulds at the Atelier
There’s a certain moment at the worktable that I’ve come to love—the quiet pause before a project fully takes shape.
Moulds laid out. Surfaces waiting. Ideas lingering, not yet rushed into form.
Today, I wanted to welcome you into that moment.
Not into a finished studio.
Not into a perfected project.
But into my atelier—exactly as it is right now.
This is where I gather tools, explore possibilities, and allow pieces to come to life slowly, using supplies I return to again and again.
Welcome to My Worktable
When I talk about the atelier, I’m not talking about a styled space or a final result.
I’m talking about a way of creating.
It’s pulling moulds to the table and letting them sit there for a while.
It’s choosing surfaces with intention—sometimes found, sometimes purpose-made.
It’s allowing projects to unfold over days, not forcing them into a single afternoon.
This week, my worktable is filled with romantic details—soft forms, layered relief, timeless shapes that feel at home in both old pieces and new creations.
If you’ve been creating alongside me for a while, this will feel familiar.
If you’re new here, I hope it feels welcoming.
Romantic Details & Why They Endure
Romantic details aren’t about trends.
They aren’t loud or fleeting.
subtle florals
gentle curves
architectural trims
classical forms that feel collected rather than decorated
These details are what give a piece depth and story. They’re the layers that make something feel finished—not because it’s perfect, but because it’s intentional.
This is one of the reasons I’m continually drawn to working with moulds.
Why I Return to IOD Moulds Again and Again
One of the questions I hear most often is whether moulds are “worth it.”
For me, moulds—especially those from Iron Orchid Designs—aren’t one-project supplies. They’re tools.
I use the same moulds across:
decorative surfaces
furniture accents
small handmade pieces
paper and mixed-media projects
They work with clay, paper pulp, air-dry mediums, and more.
They age beautifully.
And most importantly, they grow with you as a creative.
Over time, you stop asking what should I make with this mould?
And start asking where does this detail belong?
That shift alone builds confidence.
Choosing Moulds for Romantic Pieces
When I’m creating romantic or vintage-inspired pieces, I tend to look for moulds that feel timeless rather than themed.
Florals that aren’t tied to a single season.
Cameos and frames that reference classical design.
Architectural trims that feel like they could belong anywhere.
This week, the moulds on my table reflect exactly that—pieces I know I’ll return to repeatedly, in different ways, across many projects.
If you’re ever unsure where to start, choosing moulds that evoke a feeling rather than a holiday or trend is a beautiful place to begin.
A Look at What I’m Creating This Weekend
As I work through projects this weekend, I’m allowing the pieces to guide the process.
Some are built on found items.
Others begin with clean, intentionally chosen surfaces that give structure and clarity to the idea.
There’s something grounding about starting with a surface that’s ready to receive detail—especially when you’re learning, experimenting, or simply wanting to create without hesitation.
I’ll be sharing more glimpses as these pieces come together, but for now, I wanted to invite you into the beginning stages—the part where ideas are still unfolding.
Creating Alongside Me
One of the things I value most about this space—both here on the blog and within Steel Roots Market—is that you don’t need to create exactly as I do.
You might:
follow along step by step
pull one idea and make it your own
simply enjoy the inspiration without making anything at all
All of that belongs here.
I’m documenting my process not to teach perfection, but to show what intentional, lived-in creativity looks like—how pieces come together when we give them time.
What’s On the Worktable Right Now
If you’re creating alongside me this week, you’ll find:
my current romantic mould bundles
cameo and decorative surfaces ready for mould work
a few newly adjusted and refreshed surfaces added to the shop
These are the same tools and pieces I’m using as I move through this season of creating.
You’ll find them linked below, should you feel inspired to begin—or continue—your own project.
A Closing Thought
The atelier isn’t a destination.
It’s a practice.
It’s choosing tools that last.
It’s allowing yourself to linger in the process.
It’s finding fulfillment not just in what you make, but in how you make it.
Thank you for spending a little time here with me today.
There’s more unfolding—and I’m glad you’re part of it.
✨ Links to current mould bundles, surfaces, and materials are shared below.
Romantic Relics Bundle -
Shop Steel Roots Market
