Don't you just love a good challenge? My dad has brought me a few winners in the past, but this one was definitely one that made me laugh OUT LOUD. Why? Well...it's so ugly!! I honestly felt bad for the forgotten babies, but it was time for an upcycled clock makeover, don't you agree?
This is one of those, "Bless your heart" projects that are so far gone that it makes you wonder. Someone obviously put some time into this, but it has since been neglected. At this point I say, "Game ON!" and give it a whole new look.
HOT MESS?
I've said it before and I'll say it again, if it's wood it has potential. With this hunk o' goodness I was kinda puzzled what to do at first, but really felt like making use of it as an upcycled clock. Seemed it just needed a facelift to end all facelifts. It was covered in an epoxy that was super thick and had yellowed. I was able to chisel most of it off and peel away the rest.
That left me with some damage to the wood as it peeled off with the epoxy. I filled all the damage with wood filler, let cure, then sanded it down with my sander. To change it up a bit, I decided to use my jigsaw to take off a few pieces and transform it into a beautiful butterfly. See my tracing on there after I cut and sanded? Looking better already, I must say.
Since I had fun using my Dremel with my Flex Shaft Attachment when I did
my repurposed wooden salad bowls, I decided to whip it out again. It was pretty easy to go over the lines, but I would have preferred to be using it on a hardwood instead of pine. That grain will drive you bonkers!
PAINT Y'ALL
After finishing carving the design, I sanded it again and then added a few coats of paint as a base.
From here, it's pretty straightforward what I did. I used several colored paints and wax to add dimension to the butterfly.
And it just so happened that I had a brand-new clock works on hand I was saving for another project. The set has a new color of paint and added it to my upcycled clock. Here it is ready to go!
THE REVEAL
Looks nothing like before, right? This is when the verse from 2 Corinthians 5:17 comes to mind, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." Just like when a caterpillar goes into its chrysalis state and emerges as a beautiful butterfly. Now this newly formed butterfly is ready to go for many more years.
I feel like this old upcycled clock had so many memories tied to it. Whoever those babies belonged too are special. However, the clock was cast aside and needed to be transformed. It was fun to try! Oh, and I had to add an old wire hanger I cut up for a pair of antennae. My butterfly had to be stylin. tsk.
So, maybe that old clock you see laying around could maybe become something more. It surely doesn't hurt to try. Plus...it makes life an adventure! If you'd love to make this clock a part of your home, you can find it available in
my online shop along with many other creations for you.
Consider yourself invited to pin and share to inspire others to see past the worn and broken down (even in others) and give them a try. You just never know what or who needs a nudge in the right direction.
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Also, more projects like this upcycled clock:
