How to Make a Butterfly Clock
A clock with a butterfly theme is a unique addition to a home or the perfect accessory for someone who loves butterflies. To make a butterfly clock instead of buying one from the store, you'll need to start by purchasing the proper craft supplies. Making your own clock will allow you to come up with a one of a kind piece that's uniquely your own. The shape of your butterfly clock can vary drastically. Some people choose to create a traditional round or a square clock while still others make a clock in the shape of an actual butterfly.
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Things You'll Need
- Wood clock face
- Fine sand paper
- Pencil
- Butterfly stencils
- Acrylic craft paint
- Paint brushes
- Adhesive-backed clock numbers
- Clock mechanism part
- Clock hands
Instructions
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Choose a wooden clock face as a base. To make a butterfly clock embellished with painted butterflies, choose either a circle or square base. Clock bases come with a hole that has already been drilled in the center of the wood. The mechanical parts will be placed there. If you want to create a more elaborate butterfly clock, find a piece of wood that's already carved into the shape of a butterfly. Special pre-carved wood shapes can usually be found at craft supply stores such as Michael's or JoAnn's Fabrics.
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Gently sand the wooden clock base to prepare for painting. This will help the paint adhere to the clock's surface.
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Paint the base surface of the wood with an acrylic craft paint in the color of your choice. Alternatively, you can stain the wood in either a dark or lighter shade; this will give your clock a more natural look. For a novelty butterfly clock, use a whimsical base coat color, such as light pink or lavender. Allow this coat to dry fully.
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Place butterfly stencils on the clock's surface. Use a pencil to trace the shape of the butterfly on the face of the clock. Draw any flowers, vines or other embellishments at this time.
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Use acrylic paint on a medium-size craft brush to paint the butterfly wings. Paint the wings in semi-circular strokes, beginning at the top of the wing. Paint all the butterflies in this manner. When the background of the butterfly wings are dry, you can add more elaborate detail with a thin, pointed craft paintbrush. A thin brush will allow you to paint skinny lines, curls and other small details on the wings. It will also allow you to paint the body of each butterfly. Allow the painted butterflies to dry fully.
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Apply adhesive-backed clock numbers in the correct positions on the clock. When you're ready to apply the numbers, remove the paper from the sticky underside. Follow the manufacturer's instructions as the application techniques may vary among brands. Make sure that the numbers are fastened securely to the clock.
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Seal the decorated clock with a layer of varnish or sealant. Let the clock dry according to the sealant manufacturer's instructions.
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Attach the clock's hardware. Place the clock mechanism against the back of the clock and push the clock hand attachment piece through the pre-drilled hole.
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Screw the clock hands on and set the time. Make sure that you don't screw them on too tightly or they won't move freely.
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Hang the clock on a wall. The majority of clock mechanisms come with a tab on the back for easy wall hanging.
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Tips & Warnings
Instead of painting, use may choose to use decals to decorate the clock. Apply the decals after sanding, staining or painting the clock.
Plan the design and colors you intend to use on your butterfly clock before you begin the project. It's helpful to have all the acrylic paint colors and decorative numbers close at hand and organized properly before beginning.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Butterflies image by A.Rowley from Fotolia.com
