We live in Ohio where barn wood abounds and though I can resource it, sometimes it can be expensive because of its growing popularity. Because there’s been so much interest in my barn wood pallet shutters, I thought I would share some more of the projects I made with those same old weathered pallets.
After I made the shutters, I still had a good supply of wood remaining, and I had plans on how to make the most of that wood. The very first thing I wanted to make with them was a clock.
The clock I wanted to replace has been in our possession since we were married 15 yrs. ago and was the cheapest coordinating Walmart-brand clock we could find (we were newlyweds and college students = no money). I must say to my amazement, it is still running because I used the works from inside that clock to build this one made from pallet wood!
I basically took four random scrap pieces and lay them together. I took another two scrap pieces and attached them across the first pieces, making sure to catch all four slats. I had to make sure to leave enough room between the slats to hold the clockworks. My ever-helpful hubby routed a spot for me so that the pin of the clockworks could protrude out the front enough to catch the clock hands. Last, I took my handy jigsaw (one of my favorite tools) and cut out the size circle I had trace on the front of the four slats.
*Don’t you love my mismatched screws…I was not about to run to the store for a couple screws and I love using up my miscellaneous hardware stash.
To get the stenciled clock face: First, I found the clock face graphic on my favorite free graphics site, The Graphics Fairy found
here. Then, I printed the clock face in the size I wanted (not reversed). Next, I took an light-colored artists pastel and rubbed all over the back of the clock face print, making sure to cover all the text areas I wanted.
Once I had positioned the graphic where I wanted it on the blank pallet circle, I took a blunt colored pencil (a color that I could see where I had already traced) and traced the clock face numeral outlines and hash marks, pushing firmly to make the pastel transfer to the pallet wood. Last, I hand-painted the solid numerals and hash marks with an ivory-colored acrylic craft paint.
My original clock hands were black, so I spray painted them white. Installed the works, attached the hands (don’t forget the battery), and used a very primitive wire mount with which to hang the clock. Done!
Had I known I would be sharing this with you, I would have taken pictures of the process when I was making it a year ago – sorry! :o)
My other use-up-the-pallet projects included:
A table centerpiece
Can you believe I scored over a dozen antique blue Ball Mason jars (quart & pint-sized) from a very generous freecycle lady? Yes!! I knew I had to make a centerpiece to display them. At a later point, that same lady gave me her grandmothers stash of hand-embroidered linens, her own work… a whole grocery-bag full! Needless to say, I needed no other gifts that year.
A plate rack
This shelf was made simply by leaving part of the pallet intact and features some of my thrifted finds just using some spray-painted cup hooks.
And there you have it! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.
Pin and share! ♥
More of my repurposed creations:
