*This post is also featured on Up The Old Barn Road as part of the Fabulous Friday blog series. Click here to check out some of the other posts in this series*
The rustic reclaimed look for home decorating is so trendy lately, and I’ve totally hopped on that bandwagon. I love how some old wood can add character and charm to a house and make it feel lived in and homey. For my latest project I made a barnboard clock out of some scrap pieces of lumber that I rescued from our land. I decided to make a square clock face rather than a circle, and tried out a new technique for the numbers using epoxy resin and chalk dust.
This is a fairly simple project and can be made in any shape or size depending on what kind of scrap wood you have on hand. Continue reading for step-by-step instructions.
Supplies
- Scrap wood
- Wood glue
- Sanding block
- Epoxy resin
- Chalk dust
- Clock kit (similar)
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Step 1: Cut and layout the pieces
I cut my pieces down to about two inches wide. The piece of lumber I was using was fairly rotten in some places, so I just used the pieces that were in the best shape. Use your imagination for this part!
Step 2: Glue and clamp
Use a generous amount of wood glue on all the edges of your pieces, then clamp them together. I did mine in two stages over a couple days.
Let it dry, then clean up the wood with a steel brush or a sanding block to reveal some cleaner wood.
Step 3: Make holes for clock numbers
First measure and mark where to place your numbers for the barnboard clock. Find the center of the clock, and mark “12, 3, 6, & 9” using a tape measure and straight edge. Then use a triangle to find the angles for the remaining numbers, and measure the same distance from the center of the clock. I used a spade bit for my holes, but a forstner bit is probably a better choice.
Step 4: Chalk dusk epoxy inlay
I really wanted to try something new and do an inlay with epoxy resin. I had some epoxy left over from another project and decided to use chalk dust from my husband’s chalk line to add some color. I’d love to try a project with glow in the dark powder, but for this one I just used what I could find at home. Follow the instructions for the resin, and add the chalk dust to the mix. Then carefully pour the resin into the holes. Another lesson I learned – avoid drilling the holes where the wood is glued together. The epoxy ended up seeping through the cracks and made a big mess.
Step 5: Attach clock kit
When the epoxy is dry you can cut out an area at the back for the clock parts. I bought the clock kit from Michaels, and with a coupon it came to about $8. I traced around the clock kit, then cut out the wood using a buzz saw. Follow the instructions on the package to attach the clock kit to the wood face.
Then hang your unique barnboard clock, and you’re all set! I hung mine in the mudroom, so I can see just how late we are as we’re running out the door.
I really love the how the color of the numbers turned out. The numbers are such a deep blue color. You could play around with the amount of chalk dust you add, or mix colors to make your own combination. The options are endless!
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Red House Style says
March 11, 2017 at 1:38 pmWow! I love it! What a fantastic idea!
Paulina Szczepanska says
March 13, 2017 at 2:09 amI truly admire your creativity, dear! And sustainability, if you will! Such a gorgeous, statement piece!
xoxo from Napa Valley!
Paulina
http://www.shenska.com
jessvanderveen@gmail.com says
March 16, 2017 at 8:50 pmThanks so much!
Jessica says
March 16, 2017 at 8:38 pmGreat tutorial! Very unique
jessvanderveen@gmail.com says
March 16, 2017 at 8:50 pmThank you!
Sheri says
March 16, 2017 at 10:23 pmThis is fantastic! Not sure why, but I love clocks without the numbers! Nice work!
Kala says
March 16, 2017 at 10:23 pmLove your spin on this! I get tired of having what everyone else does and this is pretty cool!
The Holtz House says
March 16, 2017 at 10:52 pmLove this! Such a creative take on a barn wood clock. Great post.
Colette @ restyle it wright says
March 17, 2017 at 9:14 amso sweet! I love how wood warms up a space no matter your style! I could see this in a farmhouse, modern, transitional, you name it! Very versatile!
Lidia says
March 17, 2017 at 9:18 amJessica! That is totally unique and clever! This is one clock my hubby will LOVE!!
jessvanderveen@gmail.com says
March 23, 2017 at 8:27 pmThank you!
Marie Dabbs says
March 20, 2017 at 1:07 pmLove, love how this turned out! Such a great idea for the numbers. Beautiful project!
jessvanderveen@gmail.com says
March 23, 2017 at 8:27 pmThank you!
Debrashoppeno5 says
March 20, 2017 at 4:48 pmThis is cute. I really like how you made the numbers. What a wonderful conversation piece.
Michelle James says
March 20, 2017 at 9:31 pmThis is such a cool clock!
Erlene says
March 21, 2017 at 12:31 amSuch a unique clock idea. Great way to use up small scraps to create something beautiful.
Smitha says
March 21, 2017 at 10:13 pmThis is such a brilliant clock! Love it!
Sam says
March 23, 2017 at 2:36 amLove all the lumps and bumps of the scrap wood! Adds so much character! Such a cool clock!
jessvanderveen@gmail.com says
March 23, 2017 at 8:27 pmThank you so much!
LydiaF1963 says
March 23, 2017 at 2:37 pmThis is way cool! My husband loves clocks. There’s not a room that doesn’t tick…except the bedroom…I put my foot down on that one. This would be a good project for him.
jessvanderveen@gmail.com says
March 23, 2017 at 8:26 pmThanks!
Kim says
March 28, 2017 at 9:46 amVery cool & clever clock idea! I love it! Thank you for sharing on Merry Monday! Sharing on Twitter. Have a great week!
Kim
Molly says
March 28, 2017 at 5:15 pmWhat a cool clock! It looks super high end, like something you’d see Joanna Gaines use in Fixer Upper! Great job, pinning now.
Cee Me Be says
March 28, 2017 at 10:30 pmI love projects used with scrap wood. I have a box in my work room where all my scraps go. I love the end result, and thank you for sharing the process in photos – not a lot of bloggers include each step. 🙂 Great job!