Ceramic Mid-Century Style Wall Clock Craft For Kids!
If you are following along on our creative adventures then you already know that my 12 year old son and I go to a ceramics studio once a week, together, for some quality mother and son time, and because of all the creative activities I could do with him, the one thing he really likes is something we can't really do at home: kiln baked ceramics! I'm not complaining though, and I am really treasuring this time that we have together, and I know we are building memories as well. You know, like really tangible ones that he'll even be able to hang on the wall in his own home one day!
This mid-century style ceramic clock that my son made is his second clock, as we just love making clocks. There are so many possibilities, and I love the fact that you hang them on the wall as opposed to needing shelf space for them somewhere. And in house like ours that has only a kitchen clock at the moment, well, clocks are actually a really fun and practical thing to make! And the good news is that for those who don't have access to a ceramics studio, there are so many other ways to make clocks! So keep reading for a few suggestions……
A ceramic clock like this is basically a round disc with a hole in the middle to accomodate the clock movement. Clock movements are sold at all craft stores in many sizes. That said, here are some ideas for making clocks that can be just a wonderful as our ceramic kiln fired version:
- Make a clock from air drying clay, and paint and then varnish to give it the look of ceramics
- Make a clock from a piece of cardboard that is painted and varnished, or decoupaged and varnished
- Make a clock from a paper plate with a nice pattern
- Make a clock from a paper lunch bag with a piece of cardboard inside.
- Make a clock using a book cover, or even a whole book!
- Make a clock using an embroidery hoop (my daughter just supplied that one)
- Make a clock using a stiffened crocheted doily
- Make a clock on a poster backed with posterboard
- Make a clock that is just about any shape!
Has that got you thinking, good! Because just as a side note, during this three week period of mourning on the Jewish calender thinking about time, and about being above and beyond time is a great thing to do. Contemplate it yourself, or have a discussion with your kids!
And the good news is that any clock craft that requires a bit more effort than putting a clock movement on a piece of cardboard could be a great way to spend time talking to your kids (or yourself of course, always a good idea as well, in your head that is……unless of course you are making a cuckoo clock, ha ha.) These photos show the clock after the inital firing, and then after being painting with the glaze. The last step after this one before the second firing is that the piece is dipped into a large bucket of clear glaze, which covers everything and is actually bright green!
And ta da, a ceramic clock is born. This one unfortunately cracked in the kiln, but the break was clean enough to glue, and the piece is still beautiful despite its scar. And once it is up on the wall I double anyone will really notice that little crack, right?
Oh and just by the way, if you start making clocks and just can't stop, so just craft around the clock! They make wonderful gifts any TIME. Enjoy!
