I've had quite a few requests for instructions to make these clocks.



I'll try to walk you through it as best I can. I'll warn you now, this is bound to be long.

A quick tip before you get started. It will save you a lot of $ if you do this project with some friends because you can split the cost of some of the supplies (paint, stains, crackle, etc.). Also, order your clock parts together because the more you buy, the less they cost. My clock cost about $22 to make. But I already had primer, my friend had stain, and another friend had the crackle paint already.

Items needed:
24-inch round table top (We bought ours at Home Depot for $3.99, I believe. Don't buy the really fancy, nice ones. The cheaper ones actually work better.)
Primer (I like Kilz the best)
Small can of crackle paint
Small can of paint for your base coat color (A dark color works best. This is the color you will see through the cracks in the top coat. I used dark brown for my base coat.)
Small can of paint for your top coat color (You’ll want a lighter color that matches your undercoat but gives a definite contrast. I used a light cream color.)
Stain (I actually blended 3 colors of stain. What color(s) you use depends on what you want your finished clock to look like.)
Paintbrushes
Hammer
Drill
Vinyl lettering (I ordered mine from a neighbor who has a home business doing lettering for projects)

Clock parts (I ordered these from www.klockit.com.)
(1) 12-hr High Torque Quartz Movement – long shaft (item #10115). This is the motor that moves the hands.
(1) Set of extra long clock hands (items #66255 and #66800 work best).


Making the Clock

1. Using your hammer, pound the face of your clock in random places. This will give it a bit of a distressed look. It’s up to you how much you want to beat it up.

2. Paint the face of your clock as well as the edge surface with primer.

3. Once the primer is dry, paint the clock and edges with your dark colored base coat and let that dry.

4. When your base coat is dry, give just the face of your clock a good coat of crackle paint (I love this stuff!). The crackle is clear so it’s harder to see it while you’re painting, but try to get an even coat over your clock. For a more random cracked look, brush in all directions rather than in just one direction. Let this coat dry.

5. When your crackle is dry, paint one coat of your lighter top coat color over it. The top coat will start to crack almost immediately so make sure you paint a quick, even coat and don’t paint over your top coat again once it has started to crack. (I loved watching each clock crack in it’s own unique pattern.)

6. Once the top coat has dried, you’re ready to apply the stain. I used 3 different colors of stain for a really fun blend of color (walnut, cherry and cedar). Using an old rag, dab your stain in random spots over the face of the clock. Now let it sit for a few minutes. Then using your rag, rub the stain around the face of your clock. The longer you let it sit, the darker it will be. Don’t let it sit too long though! Make sure you blend it and rub it in before it starts to dry. Try using darker colors of stain in random spots for a bit of shading here and there. Once you have the look you want, let your stain dry.

7. The last bit of painting you’ll want to do is to apply one more coat of your base paint color around the outer edges of the clock. I let mine overlap the front edge of the clock just a tiny bit. This gives it a nice finished look.

8. Once your clock is completely dry, you’ll want to drill the hole in the center. The hole needs to be big enough for the shaft of your clock movement to fit easily, but not move around a lot. Finding the exact center of the clock isn’t easy. I’d love some pointers here. We tried several different methods, but none were both easy and accurate.

I traced a large mixing bowl onto a piece of newspaper to make a big circle. After cutting out the circle very carefully (to be as accurate as possible), I folded it in half and then in half again to find the center. I marked the center of my newspaper circle with a marker and then laid it on the back of my clock. Then I measured from the outer edge of my paper circle to the outer edge of my clock, moving it around until I had the same measurement all the way around the circle. Then I used a pencil to poke a hole through the center of my paper circle and mark the spot on the back of my clock. It worked, but took a long time. There has to be an easier way.

9. Now you’re ready to apply your vinyl lettering. I started with the numbers, then did the tick marks between them, then the saying and the name & est. date. To make sure I put my numbers and tick marks in just the right spots, I used the same newspaper circle I’d used to find the center of my clock. This time, I folded it in 12 equal sections, laid it on the face of my clock and put a nail through the center of it (through the hole in the center of my clock) to hold it in place. Tying a string to the nail, I was able to line the string up along each of the 12 folds and mark where each number or tick should be placed.

10. Once you’ve applied all your lettering, follow the directions that come with your clock parts to assemble them and finish your clock. And that’s it!

Whew! That sounds like so much work now that I’ve typed it all out. It does take a lot of time, especially between coats of paint as you let them each dry. But really it isn’t too hard. I’m not an especially crafty person, so if I can make these, I’m sure anyone could! lol I've also seen these made in a lot of different variations. One of my neighbors made one with an Americana theme. For her base coat, she used both navy blue and dark red! Another friend made one with a western theme. She did it in really dark browns and Instead of roman numbers, hers has silhouettes of cowboys on horses. Her saying says "So many horses, so little time".

LMK if I’ve lost you anywhere or if you have questions. Good luck!

__________________
* Misti *
Mom to six angels... five on earth and one in heaven.
~ Missing Makelle ~

Misti-
Thanks for that! I think I know what some people are getting for Christmas next year.

How cool is that! I'm assuming it could work with a smaller circle? I could be ambitious and get some christmas presents done early. Hmmmmm

sO EXCITED!!! i AM IN CHARGE OF A SUPER SAT. EVERYONE i KNOW WILL WANT TO MAKE THIS. tHANKS A TON. ARE YOU GOING TO THE GET TOGETHER? cOULD YOU BRING IT FOR ALL TO SEE?

__________________
Loveadeal
LIVE SIMPLY, GIVE MORE, EXPECT LESS.

Ooohh! I like loveadeal's idea! Bring it with you to the get together. Nothing beats seeing it in person.

It depends on when and where the get together is... and if I can convince any other Cache Valley ladies to drive down with me! I might be teaching a coupon class in Ogden on the 12th. I'm not sure yet what our rotation schedule is for January.

Actually, the clock is at my MIL's in South Jordan (it was her Christmas gift). I might be able to borrow it from her though. I have one in progress I'm making for myself, but I haven't ordered the vinyl lettering for it yet so I don't know if it will be done by then. I'll watch for more info on the get together and let you all know.

I'm sure it would work with a smaller circle. You'd just have to order your clock parts accordingly and have your vinyl lettering printed smaller. A friend of mine actually made a bigger one (3 feet, I think) and it's gorgeous!!

Oh, and those table tops have been really hard to find up here because the clocks are a VERY popular item at Super Saturday's right now. I've actually seen them sold at boutiques and such for $100-$150! So to make one yourself for $20-$25 is a great deal!

__________________
* Misti *
Mom to six angels... five on earth and one in heaven.
~ Missing Makelle ~

Thanks for posting those instructions Misti. We have wanted a big clock for awhile, but couldn't bring ourselves to pay the price for the larger clocks, and bonus, we get to personalize it. I know a few other people who will love to make one. I always love a good craft project. Thanks!!

Thanks, I have my clock painted but haven't ordered the clock parts yet. Thanks for posting the directions.

I just saw that this is an old post but I've really wanted to make one of these. Yea! thanks for the directions, Misti!

I was thinking of making one or two of these for christmas gifts. I thought of using logs cut into 1 inch slices? to make the clock rather than using the wood purchased from the craft store.. do you see any problems with that? Can I varnish over the top of the crackle paint to seal the bark on the outside of the clock? Does any of that make sense?