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:
I am amazed at what you’ve created! I did not see that beautiful butterfly in the original piece. Lovely!
It was kinda hiding there. tee hee. Thanks!
Such vision and creativity!
Thanks, Kellie! Glad you like it.
So precious!!! I saw the butterfly, and you created it beautifly?
Wonderful! Great minds envision alike. 😀
Im curious, could you have approached it from the back to avoid the epoxy? Very pretty butterfly!
No, because the hole for the clock works is there. Thanks!
Well, I give up. I thought I was a creative person but, HOLY COW! Didn’t see that one coming! Fantastic !
bwahahaha!! You made me laugh out loud! You are too cute, Sigrid. Thank you!
You outdid yourself on this one. Definitely trash to a beautiful treasure.
I’m happy to hear it! Thank you for that smile, Doris. 😀
How in the world did you come up with this beauty??? So, so awesome. Great job!
Took me a bit, but once I saw a butterfly, that was it. woot! 😀
What a gorgeous, fabulous transformation to an “ugly” duckling! Love it!!!
These are my favorite kind to do. Thanks so much, Becky!
Your artistic talent AMAZES me! Each project you undertake is more beautiful than the last!!
That truly made my day, Fran. Thank you!
I think this little clock is lucky it found its way to you ! Everyone else would have tossed it. So cute, and butterflies are always popular. Fabulous job, I can see you had fun with it. Wouldn’t this have been perfect for those challenges where you mail a friend a “surprise” in a box to make over? What would they have thought when they opened the box, lol.
I’ve done one of those and you’re right!! I would love to see the look on someone’s face when they got this. haha! Thank you for the love and giggle. Tee hee!
Larissa: You are such a talented young woman, with a passion for seeing the beauty in all things. God is watching you and, like your butterfly clock, you are emerging as one of my favorite inspirational people to follow!! I am learning so much from you, and I will continue to pray for blessings for you and your family.
You are so very encouraging, Mary. Thank you for your sweet words and your prayers are coveted. Hugs to you!
It just amazes me that you have such vision! I would never have seen what you saw. Fantastic job!
It was a true adventure to try to see if I could make it happen. Thanks so much for joining me in my fun, Karen. 🙂
Amazing. I wish I had half of your creativity!
What fun to hear. Thank you, Janie!
Well I’m just wowed. Who except you would have looked at that ugly clock and seen such a beautiful transformation. God has blessed you with such amazing talent and vision! You are such an inspiration.
I’m a nut like that! 😀 haha! Thank you, Debra.
I said it in your last post, and the one before that, and before that – you amaze me with your creativity, Larissa! Seriously, who would ever see a butterfly in that clock but after you pointed it out, definitely it had the potential of becoming a butterfly. Your Dad must be so stinking proud of his girl 🙂
You made me giggle, Marie! You are one of the people I admire for your tenacity too. Thank you for the love!
That’s amazing!! You truly have vision!
Yay! I’m so glad you think so, Mary.
Love the transformation!!!
Thanks so much, Carolyn! 😀
Larissa, you have done it again, what a vision a beautiful butterfly! This is just so pretty and fun! When I initially looked at it, I saw something that resembled a jigsaw puzzle piece! Yup, that’s me alright! HA
I’m amazed! When I saw the picture of that old clock the only word I could think of was UGLY! The re-make is truly inspired. I certainly didn’t see a butterfly in that old thing! Great job!
hee hee! It sure was that and felt bad for it, kinda. Glad my dad thought enough to save it for me! Thanks for the love, Naomi.
You really had your creativity crown on for this one. I couldn’t imagine what you were going to do with this hideous clock. I love that God takes your mind to all these special places. Beautiful job.
It was so sad that I had to do something with it. tee hee! Thanks for the smile, Karen.
“New creature” indeed! Your painting skills are seriously enviable!
Beautiful! Never saw that transformation coming! What a surprise ending! Just fabulous!
Sweet! That’s so fun to hear. Thank you for the smile! 😀