A few weeks back, our local arts materials exchange (MECCA) received several old, non-functioning clocks. I went a bit crazy over them and bought almost every one. There may have been some *polite* stalking of other interested customers but eventually they put them back on the shelf and I snatched them up!
I got one cuckoo clock and three wood, wall-mounted clocks. The cuckoo clock was the classic dark brown but I’ve always felt that the brown doesn’t do cuckoo clock designs any favors. I wanted to have fun with colors and make up the design as I went along. While the clock doesn’t work, it sure is pretty to look at!
I particularly love the ombre effect on the pine cones and the sweet little birds.
I had an idea to turn the other clocks into table lamps. I started with the clock that was just the wood case; all the clock parts were long gone. It was a fun surprise to find that its original owners had written their name and date on the back!
I first removed the trim on the bottom and attached wood feet. I also needed to make sure that the interior wouldn’t get too hot with the light bulbs running, so I drilled holes on the top of the wood case.
And, a pattern of smaller holes on the sides. I drew the pattern on a piece of heavy paper and used that as a template for the drill. I also located where the lamp socket would come out the back and drilled a hole for that as well.
Next came the fun part – paint! I lined all the holes I drilled with gold pigment mixed with polycrylic. To seal the distressed paint, I used a spray polycrylic. Our local lamp shop hooked me up with a ceramic, double socket so that an Edison bulb shows out of each glass panel on the front.
I love the glow that the Edison bulbs cast, warm and not too bright. The gold lines holes really shine when the lamp is on.