Make A Thing: Chalkboard Clock

Welcome to the another installment of Make A Thing, where we make handmade gifts for people. Or ourselves. Who doesn’t need something special in their life? Join in on the DIY fun and avoid the unnecessary consumerism of the world (and I promise you’ll save a few dollars while you’re at it).

Header by Rory Midhani

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I have a confession. I love to look around the websites for Anthropologie, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn… all of them. Sometimes I pretend it’s for craft/decorating inspiration, but mostly it’s just to plan out how I could spend $12,000 on designer candles (answer: easily, my friend). But alas, as a writer, I don’t have high hopes of ever earning enough money to pay rent, buy groceries, and shop at pretentious but expertly coordinated stores. In another lifetime, I would gladly pay $55 for a West Elm chalkboard clock. In this lifetime, I’d rather just make it for around $15.

I was wary to join the chalkboard obsession. In fact, I have mainly steered clear from the trend because I couldn’t trust myself not to put chalkboard paint on everything I could find. With this project, I ended up jumping in and I think it came out pretty cute. I did however have to buy a gigantic bottle of the chalkboard paint, so… excuse me while I go conspicuously eye other things in my house that need chalkboard paint.

Chalkboard Clock

Supplies Needed: Unprimed wooden cradle board (find them in the canvas section of the store, I bought 8×8), chalkboard paint, paintbrush, nail/drill/Dremel, clock movement mechanism, chalk, optional: paint for clock hands

Level of Difficulty: Easier than the will-power I’m exerting by not eating this entire box of Girl Scout cookies in one sitting

Or you could trash this whole project and paint a pretty flower instead. I wouldn't even blame you. — Or you could trash this whole project and paint a pretty flower instead. I wouldn’t even blame you.

1. Paint the wooden cradle board. I think I honestly put on about 10 coats because I’m neurotic about paint layers, but if you buy a primed board you might be able to do less.

You're welcome for the free advertisement, IKEA. — You’re welcome for the free advertisement, IKEA.

2. Find the center of your board.

Doesn't this picture look like magic? You're damn right it does. — Doesn’t this picture look like magic? You’re damn right it does.

3. Wait for the paint to completely dry. We want to make a hole for the clock movement. You need a hole big enough for the large screw part (technical term, guys) to fit through. You can achieve this by way of nail, power drill, or Dremel. At first we tried the nail.

This craft was an elaborate ruse to convince my partner we need a Dremel.

Then I got freaked out that the nail would split my precious board and so we used a Dremel. You could also do this part before painting if you had common sense but meh, what the hell. I craft on the edge.

I am meticulous about clean crafting procedures obvs.

4. Paint your clock hands whatever color you’d like or leave them gold or do whatever you’d like because it’s your clock okay?

I bought this Crayola chalk for $1 at the grocery store, so at least it's easily accessible. — I bought this Crayola chalk for $1 at the grocery store, so at least it’s easily accessible.

5. Prime your chalkboard. Do this by rubbing your chalk all over the board and then wipe it off with a dry paper towel. It shouldn’t be as shiny as before and will be easier to write on this way.