The first moment I saw this beautiful Graphic 45 Fashionista (Debutante) paper, I knew I wanted to make a custom clock out of it, so here it is! I had always wanted to try making my own custom clock and finally found out how truly easy (and inexpensive!) it is -- this clock only took about 2 hours to make!
I started with a 12-inch round unfinished wooden photo frame I found at my local craft store. Granted, round is a little bit out of the ordinary, but I've routinely seen plenty of square and rectangle shaped frames available. The round piece in the center is where a photo would be normally. It turns out these wooden types of frames are usually pretty good candidates for making clocks since the area the photo fits into is usually recessed on the back of the frame, making the perfect spot for the clockworks to fit into!
I also purchased basic clockworks from the craft store -- I opted for longer hands than what came with the standard clockworks, and adhesive clock numbers also found in the same section of the store. You could always use your own chipboard numbers or stamp them.
I started by painting the exposed areas of the frame that would not be covered with paper, using Claudine Hellmuth's black Studio acrylic paint.
TIP:I keep the cellophane packaging that comes with 12-inch patterned paper and use that on my work surface to protect it from the paint or glue.
Next, I measured and cut my patterned paper and adhered it to the wood frame using decoupage glue. Then I came to a stumbling bock -- the center of the wood frame (that backs and holds your photo in place) was also wood and I had no way to drill a hole in it, in order to insert the clockworks. And since hubby wasn't home, I wasn't about to try and find any kind of power tool of his to try and use!
My solution ... Craft-a-Board! I simply traced the round wooden photo backer onto Craft-a-Board and cut it out simply, with scissors. Then I covered the CAB with coordinating Fashionista (Le Fleur) patterned paper (again, using decoupage glue) and used this for the center of my clock. The CAB was very easy to punch a hole in the center, using my eyelet hole making tool & hammer.
Next, I inserted the clockworks through the hole and assembled as instructed. The photo above shows how the clockworks look on the back side of the clock/frame.
Finally, I wanted to customize the adhesive numbers, so I also gave them a coat of the black Studio paint, and then adhered them to the clock front. To finish it all off, I decided to dry brush a little Traditional Tan Studio paint over the black -- just to give it a bit of a soft, worn look.
I can imagine all kinds of inexpensive (but don't look it!) custom clocks now -- in a variety of shapes, for any room or occasion! I hope this gift/home decor idea gets your creative juices flowing, too!
- Paper: Graphic 45 Fashionista Collection-Debutante & Le Fleur
- Accessories: Craft-a-Board, Claudine Hellmuth's Studio acrylic paints-Charcoal Black & Traditional Tan, Royal Coat Decoupage glue
- Other: Wooden photo frame, clock pieces
