Turning nothing into something is what I do best! I love seeing the transformation occur, especially when I can create something functional that adds value to my life, like this wood slice clock with a wood burned leafy vine!

I teamed up with a fantastic group of DIY bloggers for this Create and Share monthly challenge sponsored by  Walnut Hollow. I was sent a basswood round, a wood burning tool and clockworks.

This was my first DIY clock, and first time using a wood-burning tool. I was pleasantly surprised that it was easier than I was expecting to turn a wood slice into a functional piece of home decor and I can't wait to show you how I did it!

The supplies I used are included below:

• medium  basswood round(it's actually oval)
• clock works
• wood burning tool
• Americana Decor chalky finish paint in Primitive (not Treasure as you see below)
• brushes
• General Finishes top coat in flat finish
• spray paint

I know I'm showing a jar of turquoise chalk paint here, but I changed my mind (a crafter's allowed to do that, right?) and decided to go for a more neutral look with the clock face (and paint the hands of the clock)...hence the color switch.

How to Make a Clock from a Wood Slice

Before I got to any painting, I had Mr. DIY drill a hole right in the middle to fit my clock works.


Using a small flat paint brush, I carefully painted the wood slice, matching my paint to the edges that you can see above. I realize that on screen it doesn't look like the color changed much (that's what I hate about monitors..they distort reality!) Trust me when I say that the color went from pale, natural wood tones to a creamy greige with the application of the Primitive paint!


Two coats later, I had the perfect coverage.


While the paint dried, I planned out my numbers and what I wanted for my clock. Because of the oval shape, I decided to just add the 12, 3, 6 and 9.

I had a set of chipboard stickers that were just the right size. I experimented with placement.


When I liked how it looked, I lightly traced around them. Then I lined up the 'empty' space from the numbers template onto my traced numbers and lightly dabbed on black acrylic paint, taking care to used an almost dry brush and to pounce so my paint wouldn't seep under the edges. Like this.


I was left with painted clock numbers. Easy peasy!


Next I came back in with white paint and a tiny brush to add some highlights so the numbers weren't so flat. Easy does it with this step...a steady hand is needed!


Now I will admit that at this point I hadn't really considered how the wood burner would take to the painted surface.

I opted to just go for it and see what happened...after all, if it was a total fail, I still had the back of the wood slice to work with! I know, there's a bit of a rebel in me, as evidenced in this furniture makeover.

I wanted the look of a vine trailing between the numbers so decided to start off with a solid line and then add leaves to that.

The wood burner needs to be heated up for several minutes before using. I'm pleased to say that it burned right through my light layers of chalk paint, didn't gum up, and didn't set off the smoke detector! It was just like writing with a pen! A hot one!


In order to use the leaf tool, I needed to let the wood burner cool down so I could add the attachment. Once that was done, it was full speed ahead! This part was even easier than burning the line!


I alternated my leaves on either side of the line, and while I kept them going in the same direction, I varied the angle a little so it would look more natural. I did have to press the wood burner down and let it sit still for a few seconds for each leaf, but as you can see, it did a fabulous job!


Once I finished both sides and let it rest for a few hours, I finished it with a clear coat to increase durability.


Here's an overview of the steps. Please PIN for future reference!

Before I added the clock hands, I chose to spray paint them a soft minty blue, which matches my decor (and the clock) better than the gold color.


Which is perfectly fine, because I'm using this wood slice clock on the hutch in my office that I shared with you on Monday.


I admit that the wood burning tool intimidated me a little bit. I've been impressed with what they can do, and even wrote a post about wood burning projects that inspired me. I'm happy to say that it was much easier to use than I had thought and I look forward to using it more in my home decor!


So be bold and unafraid to try this crafting tool!

Walnut Hollow is currently offering 20% off everything in your cart! Use code SPRING2016.

Please click on the links below to see all the other wood projects by my fellow bloggers. I'm sure you'll be inspired!





bringing beauty to the ordinary,