It’s Time to Make Clocks!

By Chris Wallace for Walnut Hollow

It’s another Throwback Thursday Blog! Thought it would be a good time to review some things about making a clock. Clocks are great for the upcoming gift-giving season – they are easy and fun to make. Here are a few tips to help.

You can make a clock out of just about anything! The deciding factor is if you can cut or drill a 3/8” hole in the object you will use for the clock surface. Follow these easy steps and you’ll have a clock in no time (sorry….just had to say it!).

1. Choose a surface.

Wow – there are so many. Walnut Hollow has lots of wood surfaces http://www.walnuthollow.com/store/clock-making/surfaces/ with pre-drilled holes ready to use.

However, there are also many other surfaces that simply need a 3/8” hole drilled.

There are other ideas to consider also: straw hat, paper mache box, cake pan, teddy bear – or what about a flip-flop?

2. Choose a decorating theme.

If the surface hasn’t already determined the theme, you could wood burn, or wood carve.

Use the Creative Versa-Tool® to create unique designs. Try decoupage with a beautiful gift wrap or scrapbook papers. Ribbons are terrific as well – or many fabric to cover the surface. Paints of all types work great and don’t forget colored pencils.

3. Choose the clock movement.

Make sure that the clock movement has a shaft length that is appropriate for your surface. Shafts come in three sizes: ¼”, 3/8”, and ¾”.  Determine the depth of the surface of your clock and then purchase the appropriate movements.

There are also pendulum clock movements available.

4. Choose a clock face or numbers and hands or just hands.

Use an adhesive clock face or adhesive numbers depending on your decorating theme.

Some movements only include hands and some have numbers and hands.

You can also purchase hands separately.

The hands are available in silver, black and gold. They can all be spray painted to make them a different color.

5. Once you have chosen a surface, decorated it, decided on the clock movement, face or numbers, and hands, it’s time to put it all together. Instructions for attaching the clock movement are found on the back of each package.

6. Last, but a very important step – add the battery!

Choices, choices, choices! There are excellent ideas that can be found almost anywhere. Make your clockmaking decisions and begin making your clocks today. It’s fun to make clocks for your home – and don’t forget that they are great for personalized gifts. Everyone needs clocks – and every room does too!

Here are a few ideas to get you started –