Crafts And Hobbies

Clock FacesProducts Relating to 'Clock Faces'

CLOCK FACES

Two simple little words, with massive scope for interpretation.

How do you define a clock face. Are they simply round clock faces , with the clock mechanism attached, or are they crafted into a detailed shape, to make them more attractive.

Does the clock have to fit into the standard idea of a clock face, as described above, or does it need to be made to accomodate the more modern and very popular digital clock.

You also must consider the end user. For instance, a clock face with a painting of a clown or teddy bear might appeal to children, but would not appeal at all to a senior citizen. Alternatively, with a clock face heavily detailed and crafted with a scroll saw, the appeal may be reversed.

Now consider what clock faces can be made from.

Some variations are listed below,but this is only a short list, as the variations can be endless, and only constrained by the imagination of the maker.

• wood
• plastic
• old cd's
• glass
• ceramic tiles
• metal
• cork
• driftwood
• old computer keyboards
• the base of old pans
• photographs

As you can see the list goes on and on.

Now consider a list of the different type of clock faces , which you can find, or ,make. Again, the only restriction is the imagination of the maker.

• pets
• horses (very popular)
• wild animals
• portraits
• computers
• musical instruments
• text
• cartoon characters
• buildings

Anybody can make clocks and clock faces .

Clock faces are a brilliant tool for any craftsman, as the variety of shapes and sizes is endless.

But even more important, making clocks and the clock faces , does not have to be difficult, and this enables even the less gifted crafters, to produce an attractive, working time piece. The mechanisms are freely available, and easily installed in any size and shape of clock.

The clock faces are the finishing touch which make all the effort worthwhile. The maker ends up with a unique piece of work, as no other person will have interpreted the design and shape in the same way as yourself. This is even true if the clock faces are made from a standard pattern, as there will always be slight variations in the way you make the face, or the way you decorate the face.

The maker does not even have to stick to a pattern, or painting method. They are free to change the details as they wish, to make the item even more individual.

To give you some ideas, here is a list of some of the ways clock faces can be made and decorated, simply from one material --- wood.

• painted
• details cut by scroll saw.
• carved
• marquetry
• pyrography
• stained
• an image glued to the face
• a routed shape

I hope this has given you some ideas and inspiration. Why not have a go at making one. You may surprise yourself

Article Published: Wednesday 14th March 2007