DIY Thanksgiving Cutlery Holder with IOD Hello Pumpkin Mould

When it comes to hosting Thanksgiving, it’s often the little details that make the day feel special. Today I’m sharing how I turned a simple ceramic flower pot into a Thanksgiving cutlery holder with IOD Hello Pumpkin mould. This project blends seasonal charm with a handcrafted, timeworn finish, giving you a piece that not only looks beautiful but also serves a purpose on your holiday table.

Whether you’re hosting a sit-down dinner or serving Thanksgiving supper buffet-style, this DIY makes it easy to keep forks, knives, and spoons neatly organized in a pretty way. And when it’s not holding cutlery, it doubles as a flower pot—perfect for mums, herbs, or even a mini fall arrangement.

Supplies You’ll Need

• Air-dry clay

• IOD Hello Pumpkin mould

• Fusion Mineral Paint in Cashmere

• Fusion Fresco texture powder

• Behr clear wax & antiquing wax

• Paint Brushes

• Rub n’ Buff Gold Leaf

• Titebond Quick & Thick glue

• Ceramic flower pot of your choice

• Corn starch

You can follow the brief steps below, or watch my full video tutorial to see exactly how I created this Thanksgiving cutlery holder.

Step 1: Create the Pumpkin Casting

Start by dusting your mould with cornstarch, to help the clay release better, then press the air-dry clay into the IOD Hello Pumpkin mould. Carefully release it and glue onto your pot using Titebond Quick & Thick glue.

Step 2: Add Texture & Paint

For a timeworn finish, mix Fusion Fresco texture powder into Fusion Mineral Paint (Cashmere). Brush this over the pot in a stippling motion. This will probably take two coats. Set a side and allow it to dry overnight. You will have some shrinkage, so mix up a little bit more of your paint mixture and stipple on where we needed.

Step 3: Wax for Depth

Use Behr clear wax all over your pot, then add Behr antiquing wax allowing it to get into the grooves and details of the pumpkin. Wipe back and repeat as necessary for  your desired look. This brings out the texture and gives the piece a timeworn look.

Step 4: Final Details

Using gold leaf rub n’ buff and my finger, I just highlighted ever so slightly parts of a pumpkin to just add a little more detail.

Styling Ideas

• Buffet-Style Thanksgiving: Use the pot as a cutlery holder at your buffet table. Guests can grab their utensils easily, and it looks charming alongside your dishes.

• Flower Pot: Swap cutlery for flowers! Fill it with a seasonal mum, eucalyptus, or a mini fall arrangement for a centerpiece or side table accent.

• Everyday Fall Use: Keep it on your counter to hold wooden spoons and utensils — this project is so versatile.

Why You’ll Love This Project

This DIY is simple, affordable, and a great way to take a plain ceramic pot and give it seasonal style. It’s practical for Thanksgiving when you need an easy cutlery holder for buffet-style serving, and versatile enough to be used later as a flower pot or everyday organizer. One project, multiple uses—that’s what makes it worth making.

Want to save this idea for later? Be sure to pin this post to your Thanksgiving board on Pinterest (graphics below). And if you’d like more seasonal styling and DIY ideas, don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter below—I’ll send cozy inspiration, decorating tips, and exclusive shop updates straight to your inbox.

With Grace,
Kimberly