We have been witnessing brilliant moments over and over again, but as time goes by, we often regrettably let them disappear, leaving little trace. Time is so limited in one’s life that people are trying so hard to keep those happiest and most unforgettable moments as much as they can. If you are one of those time chasers, here is one way that could help you freeze time in a sense.
As known to all, the clock is designed for the purpose of counting and recording time, while picture frames are endowed with the function of capturing beauty in life, no matter is a photo, a painting, or an artwork. Both have the ability to retain time in their unique forms, thus, their combination- a customized clock wall, naturally becomes your best choice for capturing everything you cherish.
To create a minimalist clock wall, some basic components are needed: A few picture frames, clock kits, and of course, a blank wall (better painted in a pure color).
Go For A Clock Wall
For the outside of the clock, whether you would like a regular clock with twelve blocks or a four-block clock that is more minimalist, here are some ideas you can take for reference:
Choose twelve photos from your collections and frame them simply, then place them in time order on the positions where the numbers used to be. Reduce the number of photo frames to four and place them separately at the place where the numbers 3, 6, 9, 12 used to be if you want a four-block clock. Take a photo each month or each season to prepare in advance for your clock wall of next year if possible, so that you could renew the wall annually.
Not ready for displaying private photos yet? Then you should definitely try this way and discover the beauty of numbers. Instead of using just normal Arabic numerals, use other variants of numbers, such as Roman numerals or Chinese numerals. You can also try some different forms, using lovely icons like the heart to represent numbers. You can combine all things above to create a beauty of clutter or a mixture. After deciding the variants and forms you want, frame the numbers and place them to form a round, you can also create a rectangle clock if you like.
The Polaroid Picture Clock
If you want to go simpler, you will never go wrong with using Polaroid Pictures, for it’s definitely funky and easy to realize. Choose some of your favorite snaps photographed by a polaroid and use them as your timepieces! It’s extremely simple but never ordinary, and you’ll have a both creative and pleasant time while picking up and matching them as you like. You could even color its border, draw some patterns, or put on lovely stickers. As for the pointer, just use the most basic style in case of stealing the thunder. In this way, you don’t need to rummage for old picture frames to match, and will still create a minimalist and modern look. And what’s better, you could replace the display anytime you want.
Frame the Clock
Another way is to put pictures behind the clock kit as the mat, which could further integrate these two items. Besides choosing a suitable picture and a framed clock for matching, the shape of the frame could be the place where you can be creative. Instead of round and oval, the base could also be hexagon-shaped, which makes for an eye-catching focal point for any wall. Usually, rectangle and square clocks would present a more modern feeling, while oval and round clocks could create a vintage atmosphere. So just decide on a shape that could highlight the focal point of the photo or fully show the beauty of your picture, or show off your seemingly simple but uniquely-designed pointers.
What Do You Need to Make a Clock?
Before you start the DIY project, you’ll need to gather the following clock parts and building supplies, all of which you can order online or get from local hardware stores:
- Wall clock kit: A wall clock kit comes with all the mechanical parts to make your clock work, including the clock mechanism and the clock hands, including hour, minute, and second hands, these two parts work together to generate the clock movement.
- Clock base: Besides the picture frames we talked about above, there are endless possibilities for what you can use as a clock base, including books, bicycle wheels, tile, wood rounds, construction paper, and cardboard. Depending on what you choose to use, it would be better to repurpose a household item as the base instead of buying a new item.
- Electric drill: You may need one to drill a hole through your base so that you can attach the clock mechanism and hands. You can purchase one at your hardware store if you don’t have any. Some hardware or building supply stores also have rental services if you do not want to buy one.
- Sandpaper: If your base is made from wood or requires any kind of woodworking, you’ll likely need some sandpaper to smooth it out after you drill the hole in it and before you apply any paint or finishes. Both an electric sander and a basic sandpaper sheet will suffice, and can be found at a hardware store.
- Paintbrushes: You’ll need paintbrushes if you are painting your base whose sizes will depend on what you are painting. A smaller paintbrush is good for painting numbers as it needs more precision, whereas a larger paintbrush is useful for covering the entire base easily and quickly.
- Painter’s tape: Blue painter’s tape is a type of easily removable tape that helps create clean lines and protect any part of your object from errant paint.
- Wood glue: Wood glue is only necessary if you are working with a wooden base. You can use it to glue on any numbers or other decorations you are attaching.
How to Make a Clock
Once you have all your materials, you are ready to begin your clock-making project. You can adapt these basic instructions below to any ideas you have in mind:
- 1. Select and prepare your base. You can turn almost anything into a clock base, as long as you can drill a hole in it. From a book to a pot lid, the options are endless, and the difficulty of this step will depend on the option you choose to serve as your base. A paper plate clock, for example, requires almost no preparation. A wood clock, on the other hand, might require some sanding and staining.
- 2. Choose your clock mechanism. Obtain your clock kit, which includes a clock movement mechanism, time hands, and the necessary parts to screw them together. These kits come in many different styles, so choose one that suits the style of your base, whether it's classic, modern, bright, or metallic.
- 3. Drill a hole in the base. Get your base ready to attach the clock parts by drilling a hole in its center. The hole needs to be large enough so that when you place the clock mechanism in the back of the clock, the part that drives the timepiece’s hands—the shaft—can fit through the hole.
- 4. Add your decorations. Attach the numbers and any other decorative features you wish. Decide how many numerals you want on the clock. Measure and divide the base into numbers of parts and add the numbers in. You can also paint the numbers, draw them directly on the surface, or glue pre-cut numbers onto the clock face.
- If you want markers between the numerals, here's a tip: use paint stick mixers that you can get for free at the hardware store, cut them down, paint and brad nail them on.
- This step will vary in intensity depending on the style of your clock. The styles that do not require numbers to be attached, like a book clock, may not need extra decorating. Other styles, like the color block clock, will require extra time to paint.
- 5. Assemble and hang your clock. Follow the instructions included in your clock kit to assemble the pieces. You may need the clock mechanism to be almost flush with the surface of the clock back to avoid any hanging problems.
- You may want to attach a hanger so you can hang the clock on the wall. Remember to use sturdy picture hangers because they are more secure and can be hung better!
- Once you’re finished, find the perfect place to hang your clock and securely attach it.