There is a huge difference between buying a ready-made clock and making one with your own hands. In the previous article, we provided you with all the necessary materials and methods required to create a photo clock. Today, we shall learn how to make a floating and book clock.

Floating Clock

Materials you will need:

• Sticky putty
• Wooden numbers from 1 – 12
• A few different pieces of scrapbook paper
• Glue
• A Xacto knife
• Pink ink
• A clock mechanism kit
• Cardstock paper
• Scissors
• Pencil
• Ruler

Instructions:

• The first stage involves gathering the necessary supplies. Usually, the wooden numbers and clock mechanism kit can be readily found in your local craft store.

• Cut a somewhat large piece of scrapbook paper. Take the glue, put it on the paper, and stick it to some of the wooden numbers only, such as 12, 3, 9, and 6. With the help of a Xacto knife, cut and remove the excess of paper around the wooden numbers. Put aside the numbers and let the glue dry. Meanwhile, dip the edges of the rest of the numbers in the ink. For more sealing, apply a protective coat of glaze on the numbers.

• This is the trickiest phase of the whole process! With the help of a ruler, pencil and scissors, cut a card stock paper into a quite large shape to cover the clock mechanism. Ensure that the clock mechanism measurements have appropriately been taken to cut the card stock paper accordingly. With a pair of scissors, please make a small hole in the card stock center as it is the area where the clock mechanism would be fixed. Once you have placed the card stock paper as the clock face, start putting together the clock’s different elements. Place a round brass washer over the shaft and add a mounting nut to it on the clock base. You can now place the hour hand over the shaft, followed by the minute and second hand. Once this task is done, put a battery in the device and set the correct time.

• The fourth step includes finding a place where you will place your floating clock. Once you have selected an area, determine the exact positions where you will hang the numbers and clock. Then, using a ruler and pencil, measure and mark the spots. For example, one foot to the right of your clock, you will place the number 3.

• The final step is when you hang the numbers and clock. Using the sticky putty, place the numbers on the wall. However, make sure you start by sticking the numbers 12, 3, 6 and 9 first and then the remaining numbers. Suppose you made a mistake by placing a number in the wrong place, you can still remove it from the wall as the adhesive putty is easily removable.

So, there, your floating clock is all set!

Book Clock

For all the book-lovers out there, this one’s for you!

Materials you will need:

• An analog clock
• Three hardcover books
• Hobby knife
• Ruler
• Pencil
• White Glue

Steps:

Step 1: Gather all your materials. You can choose any three of your favourite hardcover book and an analog clock can be readily found in local shops.

Step 2: Remove the cover from the analog clock to measure and identify which part of the book to place the clock. Line up the clock face with the edge of the book’s binding and trace it with a pencil.

Step 3: Once you have determined the clock’s location, remove the hardcover of the book and, with the help of a sharp hobby knife, cut out the traced outline of the clock. However, when doing this step, be extremely cautious as cutting a huge pile of papers can be dangerous and cause injuries. So, better to take your time and go slowly!

Step 4: Once the third step is done, place the hardcover back on and now trace the same outline that you just cut and now make an opening on each side of the opening with the hobby knife.

Step 5: Repeat the same technique with the other books.

Step 6: Now, disassemble the clock completely and then step by step, add each component of the clock back to the opening made on one book.

Step 7: The last stage includes gluing all books together and then place a big weight on top of the books to press them together. Once your book clock is ready, place it on a shelf.

Tip: Most people put the book clocks in their study rooms!

Do you think it’s easy to make a floating clock? What about the book clock? Please share your comments!