Clocks

A few months ago, the microwave in my kitchen broke. I decided to use the built-in space for my cookbooks and put the microwave elsewhere.

My old microwave now-cookbook space...

This seemed to present no issues, really, though I continued to look at that space to know the time. I tried to break myself of that habit, to no avail.

So I started considering and looking at clocks. While a small digital would have worked, I wanted a something-fun clock. Though my pragmatic self is also frugal... so I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I pondered for a while.

Then the other day I went to the art store to pick up a of couple items, and happened to walk down the aisle selling the clockworks. Uh oh... there went the idea-wheels turning. With a vague notion, I picked up clockworks, and before I checked out, I also had a wee odd-shaped wood-thing in my cart.

Clock parts...

When I got home, I took the stickers and hanger and rope loop off the wood.

I decided I would make the clockface on the "back" to conceal the clockworks in the "front."

Working out what I wanted...

I love moon-sun combos when I see them, in whatever form of art. So, while the first coat of white paint dried on the wood thing, I started looking at various examples to get a vivid picture in my head of what I wanted the clock face to look like.

I traced the outline of the wood shape onto paper (so I knew how big I could make the clock face), then sketched an idea of what I wanted to paint.

Trying this and that...

As I went along, the idea continued to morph ... a bit of paint... drill the hole... a bit of permanent marker... oh... let's try that sparkly pigment powder in the cabinet (just brush it on the surface) ... setting the clockworks... (oops!) reinforcing the back... oh!... some of those sticky gemstones could work...

I quickly decided to paint the center stem the same color as the background.

Then I wanted the clock hands to show against the white, so I used a permanent marker on the ends of the hands. The whole time considering a bit of this and a bit of that.

Finally, at the end of a few hours, I had a bit of a clock.

Touching up the clock stem...

Now that it's hanging, I can think of a couple of things I could have done differently... oh, well... with no plan, I couldn't fail. Smile.

The clockworks and wood thing cost me less than $7... everything else I already had at home.

Frankly, overall I am pleased.

Now I know the time when I look at this space.

All this grew from a vague notion and a simple need. I love hearing fun stories about why/how people make things!

Tell me, does that happen to you?

Do your ideas morph along as you create?