I’ll have the full step-by-step YouTube tutorial for you this weekend.  Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 59.6K, so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already. You’re the BEST, and I appreciate your support! 🙂

SUPPLIES

Thrifted Wood Clock  – SALVAGED
Long Nose Pliers | Flat Pry Bar
White Lightning Cleaner
Auto Sponge | Sanding Sponge
Black Wax for Wood Box Update
Wire Snips | Staple Gun
1/4-inch hardware cloth (metal wire mesh)
Fast-draining succulent soil mix
Small succulents (e.g., Echeveria, Sempervivum, Sedum)
Hanging hardware
Pencil | Measuring Tape | Hammer

REMOVING THE CLOCK MECHANISM

To start the prep process, I grabbed my long-nose pliers and mini pry bar to remove the staples holding in the clock mechanism. It took a little finagling because it was in there good, and I didn’t want to break the glass, but once the staples were removed, it popped out easily.

The great thing about using a salvaged clock is that ANY clock that already has a deep, inset design will be perfect for this project.

CLEAN & SCUFF SAND

Once I had everything removed and just the wood shadow box frame remaining, I gave it a good cleaning and then a quick scuff sand.

APPLYING BLACK WAX

Here’s where you can get as creative as you like with the frame. I chose not to paint or stain (but you definitely can do either to totally change the look!)

Instead, I refreshed the wood frame using Black Wax. Super easy. I used a shop towel to apply the wax.  Then I used a clean shop towel to buff the excess wax off. Check out the difference in the pic below! Now it looks like a darker richer wood.

ADDING MESH AND SOIL

When I had my framed box waxed and dry, I cut a piece of 1/4-inch hardware cloth (wire mesh) to the exact size of the interior frame opening. This mesh is what will hold your plants in place when the frame is vertical. Be VERY careful when cutting this wire mesh. I used sharp wire snips, but I should have also used gloves. The cut edges can be very sharp.

Once I had it cut to size, I used my pneumatic staple gun to shoot the mesh into the frame. If you don’t have a compressor for pneumatic tools, you can pick up inexpensive staple guns online.

After the wire mesh was all secured, I added a new backing to this clock (I tried using the original but it was causing problems which you can see in this weekend’s upcoming video tutorial) and then filled it with fast-draining succulent potting soil mix.

FILLING THE FRAME WITH SUCCULENTS

Now for the FUN part! Trim your succulents, leaving a short stem. Group them on a table or your frame to design your layout. Once decided, use your fingers or a pencil to create openings in the wire mesh. Gently guide the stem of each succulent through the mesh and into the soil. Aim for a dense, full look.

Pro-Tip: Plant larger succulents first to establish your focal points.

Water them in and wait about 2-3 weeks for the roots to establish before hanging your DIY living art on a wall!

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