Jenny Ryan, our special crafting correspondent and author of Sew Darn Cute: 30 Sweet & Simple Projects to Sew & Embellish is back with a stylish and simple DIY project perfect for a weekend project. And be sure to check out her previous How To: Make a Recycled Leafy Catch-All Box project.
We've been needing a new clock in our kitchen, but have been having trouble finding something that looked just right. So we hit our nearest Michael's craft store and picked up some supplies to make our own custom clock. You can find everything you need there, from the wooden plaque to the clock hardware. Making a clock is super easy to do and you can customize the look fit any decor. Here's how we did it...
1. Use a ruler to find the center of the plaque and mark this spot with an "x".
2. Drill a hole in this center spot—we used a 5/8" drill bit. Tip: Be sure to place a piece of scrap wood underneath the plaque as you're drilling so you don't damage your table. 
3. Paint the plaque with 1-2 coats of acrylic craft paint and allow to dry. (If you like, you can spray some matte polyurethane sealer over the paint at this point.)
4. Cut a piece of patterned paper slightly larger than your plaque and place it face-up on top. Use your fingers to push the paper down until the shape of the plaque comes through the paper. You should be able to see it in crisp relief. Cut the plaque shape our of the paper.
5. Brush a layer of Mod Podge evenly over the top level of your plaque. Place the paper cutout wrong-side down and smooth to adhere. Allow to dry, then follow with a coat of Mod Podge on top of the paper as well and allow to dry.
6. Use an X-Acto knife to poke through the paper to reveal the hole you drilled in Step 2, then push through your clock movement part and attach the hands according to the manufacturer's directions. Tip: When you purchase the clock movement kit, make sure the shaft will be longer than your plaque is thick, otherwise you won't be able to screw on the hands.
7. Hang and enjoy!
it's really cute but it's missing something..maybe if the trim were painted?? perhaps black to make it pop?
view animalhouze's profile
This is a great project to get something custom. However, I apologize to the person doing this project but there are more interesting shapes and patterns to use. It is one of the rare times I could hardly look at the item. (blush)
view frnd4vr's profile
Well this is surely an invitation for you to create a clock in the shape and with the pattern you prefer. That's the beauty of a DIY project!
view gregory's profile
the project looks fun, and can be taken in any of a plethora of directions to appeal to any and every eye as well as any and every decor. thx for the step-by-step. :>
view moonbeam's profile
Thank you for this. I think I'll do it asap.
Also, I think they chose a perfect shape and pattern for their space.
view brittanykate's profile
I keep thinking one of these days I'm going to make a clock. You basically just need a mechanism from the craft store or a cheap clock you don't want anymore, and something round or some shape you like for a face. Hands are probably a little more difficult, they don't sell very many kinds and they have to fit over the shaft and not get in the way of each other. Anyway, every time I see a clock that I like, I think I will just go ahead and make something cheaper and closer to what I really want. It's a long list, this is somewhere on it.
view K T G's profile
What a great idea! I love this.
view chiffonade's profile