Random Junk Makeovers: 7 Trash-to-Treasure Projects with New IOD Transfers & DIY Paint

Hello friends!

You know that pile. The one of “Random Junk Makeovers” you have collected from the Thrift Store, the Garage Sale, curbside shopping, even! The one in every maker’s studio (or garage, or spare bedroom, or under a tarp behind the shed) full of random things you started, or bought, or rescued from a curb “someday.” Well, someday finally showed up, because I decided to grab a bunch of that random Junk, break out the new IOD transfers, and just see what happened. No plan. No Pinterest board. Just me, my DIY Paint, and a whole lot of “let’s find out.”

If you’re new around here, this is exactly what Redoux is all about — taking everyday things, thrift store finds, and yes, actual trash, and completely transforming them with paint, clay, and a little creative chaos. Grab your favorite drink, and let’s get into every single one of these furniture and decor makeovers.

Why You Should Prime Plastic Before You Paint It

Quick tip before we dive in, because I get asked this constantly: if you’re painting anything plastic, spray-prime it first. It’s a small step that makes a huge difference in how well your paint (and your IOD transfer) actually sticks and lasts. Don’t skip it!

Project 1 Random Junk Makeovers: A Plastic Globe Gets a Mermaid Makeover

I have had this plastic globe for what feels like forever. It got the prime treatment, then two coats of DIY Paint in Mermaid Tail, and then it was transfer time. IOD transfers go on so easily, even on a curved surface (and let’s be honest, I am not a genius at painting round things — improvising is half the fun). I taped off the areas I didn’t want hit, worked the transfer around the curve, and sealed it all with a bit of wax for a soft glow.

Lesson learned: creativity should be fun, especially after 50! Who cares if you mess up? You are in your prime wisdom now, and you get to say what is art and what is not.

Project 2 Random Junk Makeovers: Old Frames + Apothecary + Beadboard Wash

Old frames are hands-down one of my favorite things to make over, and this round was no exception. I painted a set with DIY Paint in Apothecary, then went back over them with a Beadboard wash to bring out all that gorgeous texture and highlight the details. It’s such a simple combo, but it makes a frame look like it’s been loved for decades.

Project 3 Random Junk Makeovers: Dollar Store Frames & Old Bottles Get Some Color

Next, I grabbed some dollar store plastic frames and a couple of old bottles I had sitting around, and gave them a punch of color with DIY Paint in Kissing Booth and Hey Sailor. If you haven’t picked up on it by now, I like to put a little fun into everyday life — case in point, this was basically me being silly with my friends while painting bottles. No regrets.

Project 4: Random Junk MakeoversTerracotta Pots with Queen Bee, Liquid Patina & IOD Paint Inlay

This one is a favorite technique of mine. I painted plain terracotta pots with DIY Paint in Queen Bee, applied Liquid Patina, and then used an IOD Paint Inlay over the top. Curved surfaces make inlays tricky (again — improvising!), but here’s the trick:

• Make sure you apply plenty of patina before you start
• Get the inlay wet to activate the paint
• Let it dry for 15 minutes to a half hour
• Wet it again and pull it up

The paint that was on the inlay transfers right onto your surface, and it looks like you hand-painted the whole design yourself. It’s one of those techniques that looks so much more complicated than it actually is.

Project 5: Even Old Aluminum Cans Can Become Something Special

Yes, really — aluminum cans. A coat of DIY Paint in Queen Bee and suddenly trash is treasure again. This is the whole point of Redoux: nothing is too random or too humble to get a second life.

Project 6: Working with IOD Air Dry Clay (Plus How to Fix Cracks Like a Pro)

This next section is packed with tips if you’re newer to IOD Air Dry Clay, because I use it constantly and it is genuinely my favorite clay on the market.

If you would like to see more examples of how to use IOD Moulds and Air Dry Clay, please check THIS post out!

How I use it for molds and planters:

1. Start with a walnut-sized piece of IOD Air Dry Clay (by far the best paper clay, not too wet, not too dry)
2. Dust your molds really well with cornstarch first — this is the secret to getting the clay to pop right out cleanly
3. Press the clay into the mold (I used the new frames mold, and I am obsessed with it), turn the mould over to let gravity help you release your mould.
4. Add a bit of wood glue on the back, not too much or it will ooze out.  Set it over your base to dry — this makes the cutest little planter

When it dries and cracks a little, don’t panic. This is completely normal, especially on thinner pieces. Here’s exactly how to fix it so nobody will ever know:

• Roll the teeniest little “worm” of IOD Air Dry Clay
• Press it into the crack
• Use a cheap paintbrush with a little water to smooth it right out
• Once it dries, you will not be able to tell where the mistake ever was

Why I love this clay specifically: it dries fast, it has way less cracking than other brands I’ve tried (so many other clays are just too full of moisture), and once it’s cured it is incredibly durable — it even has wood fibers in it, so you can literally drill through it.

Storage tip: when you’re done working with it, wrap your clay up really well and airtight. It will keep indefinitely until you’re ready to use it again.

Project 7: An Old Box Gets New Life with a Floral IOD Transfer

I cut flowers out of one of the new IOD transfers and applied them to an old box. Since the paint was fully dry and the surface was nice and smooth, the transfer went on easily and turned out beautifully. One coat of DIY Paint Liquid Patina sealed the whole thing. Sometimes it just takes seeing an ordinary object in a different light.

Project 8: An Old Bottle Gets the Fern Fables Transfer Treatment

This old bottle got a full glow-up with the new IOD Fern Fables transfer — it’s loaded with whimsical florals and sweet little creatures, and I am so happy with how many cute details are packed into this one design. Bottle painted first with Spray Primer, followed by two coats of DIY Paint Hey Sailor.

Project 9: Frames Get a Star Wars-Worthy Wash Technique (No Jedi Training Required)

You don’t have to be a Jedi to make over your old stuff, but I did channel a little Force energy for this one. I painted the outside of the frame with DIY Paint in Apothecary and then went over it with DIY Paint in Beadboard as a wash.

1. After you have painted your base color and applied your favorite mould: Wash over everything with Bead Board, wiping off the excess to highlight the frame’s natural details
2. Once dry, add a light amount of Liquid Gold Patina — this combo with Apothecary is stunning
3. On a second, more budget-friendly brown frame from the trash pile, I repeated the same steps
4. For the clay pieces, I used a heavily watered-down Queen Bee over the mold, again wiping off the excess
5. Sealed everything with DIY Paint Clear Wax, followed by a touch of Dark Wax to highlight the high points and add some age

Some things really do just keep getting better with age — kind of like my dog Heath, and me!

Which Project Was Your Favorite?

Out of everything — the dollar store frame, the old bottle, the trash-pile frames — the plastic globe makeover might be my favorite of the bunch. But I want to know what you think! Drop a comment and let me know which project you’d try first.

Watch the Full Video Tutorial

If you want to see every single one of these makeovers in action — the priming, the painting, the transfers, the clay, all of it — watch the full video on my YouTube channel. And as always, the link to every single product I used is in the first comment below the video.

Before you go!

This is your friendly reminder to prioritize fun, friends, and creativity in your life — whatever that looks like for you. If this post gave you a little inspiration, please share it, and don’t forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel so you never miss a makeover.

Now go dig through your own “someday” pile. You never know what you’ll find.

Happy painting, friends! Karen