How to Make a Mosaic Clock

Mosaic clocks make a great indoor or outdoor decoration you can create at home. For beginners, it may be easier to use a mosaic clock kit. If you are more experienced working with mosaics, you can design your own mosaic clock in the color and design that matches your home decor.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• 3/4-inch thick piece of wood
• Saw
• Drill and drill bit
• Safety goggles
• Clock movement kit
• Clock numbers or ceramic pieces to represent numbers
• Mosaic tiles
• Tile nippers
• Mosaic tile adhesive
• Grout
• Grout float
• Sponge
• Rags
• Pliers

1. Cut a piece of 3/4-inch plywood into the shape you want for your mosaic clock. Measure and mark the space where the clock movement will go. Drill a hole the size of the clock movement's stem through the wood. Sand the surface of the hole.
2. Attach the movement and clock hands. Make sure there will be enough space for the hands to move once the tesserae (mosaic pieces) are in place. Remove the clock hands.
3. Copy or print a design to create a pattern for your mosaic clock. Lay a piece of carbon paper on the base. Place the paper with the design on it on top. Trace the design onto the base or draw your design freehand onto the base.
4. Choose the mosaic tiles you want to use. Lay the tiles in place on the board. Nip tiles if necessary to fit the shape of the pattern. If you're using shapes to represent numbers on the clock, lay them in place first.
5. Remove the tiles. Apply adhesive to the back of each piece. Lay them in place. Wait about an hour for the glue to dry.
6. Grout the mosaic. Rub grout into the crevices of the mosaic with your fingers or a grout float. When the grout begins to dry, wipe with a damp cloth until the glass is exposed. Polish the mosaic.
7. Glue the numbers at 30 degree intervals to the top of the mosaic pieces. Push the clock movement's stem through the hole. Attach the clips and washer to the back of the movement. Thread the washer and nut to the front of the clock movement and tighten with pliers. Attach the hour hand, minute hand, nut and second hand. Cover with the cap provided in the clock movement kit.