How To Turn *Any* Old Salvaged Clock Into a Living Art Succulent Planter | YouTube Video
Hi, creative #sifamily. I hope you had a lovely long Labour Day weekend, and welcome to another Trashy Treasures Tuesday! I spent a lovely day antiquing over the weekend. My friend Terry and I were looking for furniture, but I got distracted by the vintage clothing — fashion show at the end of today’s post. It’s the only time I’ll ask you – Please Don’t Pin! 😆
But first, if you’re a plant lover like me, I have such a fun project for you today. While thrift shopping for my next What I Thrifted VS What I Did With It (thanks for all the encouragement to continue with these types of posts) I found this very dated 80s clock. I’m sharing how to turn ANY old salvaged clock into a GORGEOUS Living ART Succulent Planter.
This DIY makeover is super simple, but once assembled, it looks anything but. I can’t wait to hear what you think!
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It’s also the second Tuesday of the month, and this means it’s Trashy Treasures Tuesday – September edition! I’m looking forward to seeing what our TTT crew, Christy at Confessions Of A Serial DIY’er, Nancy at Artsy Chicks Rule, and Kathy at Petticoat Junktion, have created. I hope you join me on today’s tour as well! I’ve included their before-and-after links down below.
Here’s the dated wood clock I found selling at a thrift store for $3.99. I had a 20% off coupon, so it came to around $3. Super cute but very dated. My guess would be from the late 80s to the early 90s, based on the style of the wood frame and the rose-colored matte. What would your guess be?
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YOUTUBE TUTORIAL
Here’s the full step-by-step YouTube tutorial for you. Our #siyoutubefamily is already a community of 59.7K, so don’t forget to subscribe if you haven’t done so already. You’re the BEST, and I appreciate your support! 🙂
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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!
PIN AND SHARE 🤗
THE BIG REVEAL…
Here’s the finished look! What do you think!?
I staged and styled it in my bathroom corner cabinet because the succulent plants need a few weeks to take root before hanging them on a wall.
But it looks awesome on a shelf as well, don’t you think!? You can also check out my DIY fluted bathroom cabinet tutorial here.
And here’s a close-up of these ADORABLE mini succulent plants. I also found the moss at the side of my house.
I think it breaks up all the succulent plants beautifully.
And now for some Trashy Treasures FUN!
Below are the TTT ladies’ BEFORE photos. Visit the links below to see the amazing AFTERS and learn how they did it! I’m heading over to take a peek as well! x
1. CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DIYER
2. ARTSY CHICKS RULE
3. SI (HAPPY YOU’RE HERE!)
4. PETTICOAT JUNKTION
Here’s another look at the before and after of this salvaged 80s table clock. I hope it inspires you to try some live art of your own!
VINTAGE FASHION
As I mentioned, over the long weekend, my friend Terry and I went antiquing for the day. I was looking for furniture, while he was looking for antique clocks. But I have to admit, the vintage clothes being sold at the Freelton Antique Market made our day.
I had so much fun trying on different things. Remember these satin jackets!?! I had one in middle school! And the heavy-duty plaid wool wrap coat with a rope tie-up- my Dad had something similar in the 70s… and the animal print…still a classic! So much fun! (please don’t PIN 📌 😆)
THANKS FOR STOPPING BY!
I’m so happy you joined the Trashy Treasures Crew today! Thanks for stopping by, and I’d love to hear what you think of this dated 80s clock turned living art. If you have a question or want to say hello, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below—you always brighten my day! ☀️
Happy creating, sweet friends! 💙
Denise x
MORE DIY INSPIRATION!
SALVAGED CHAIRS INTO DIY FRAMES
PAINTING FRAMES | DIY MIRROR MAKEOVER
HOW TO GOLD LEAF FRAMES
3 WAYS TO UPCYCLE THIRFTED FRAMES
HOW TO RESIZE THRIFT STORE FRAMES
NOWWWW….PIN AND SHARE! 😃🤗
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Hi Denise! Another piece saved from the dump. I love this idea! I did have a satin coat and sating joggers to match. I want to say they were pink but im not sure. Ahh the good old days.
Ahhh, yessss the good’ol days! You were one of the ‘cool’ kids with the satin joggers to match… pink would look soooooo good!! 😃💗
This is a great project. I love succulents! Kathy
Me toooo! Thanks my friend! XOXO
Very clever and creative!
Thanks so much Ellen! XOXO
This is so creative, Denise! I’d have never thought of that! Love how it looks on your shelf. xoxo
Thank you, Nancy! I love how it looks on the corner cabinet as well. It will be its new home for now.🤗
That is a wonderful way to use an old clock ! Yes – I’m betting you have the clock style perfectly dated.
Those succulents will probably like living in the bathroom ! Your arrangement looks wonderful.
I Love the style show. How fun !!! That red silk looks Wonderful on you 🙂
Thanks P, so glad you like it!🤗 And I bet you’re right, they will probably thrive on the bathroom corner cabinet. I had so much fun trying on vintage pieces! And if it wasn’t for the ACES on that red satin, i may have been tempted to buy! ♦️♠️♦️
What a creative idea to upcycle old or broken clocks into something useful and beautiful! And your vintage fashion show, fantastic. If I were there, I would have encouraged you to buy the animal print blazer! 🦓
Thanks Nicki, I think it’s a fun way to upcycle a clock as well!🤗 I don’t wear much animal print… but maybe I should start!😉
You’re so clever. What a great way to give something that is outdated a fresh new and creative look. I think you should leave it right where it is. I’m off to see what your other friends are up to. Till next time!
Thanks Kathy, and yes, I’ll leave it on the shelf for now – I really like it there! Thanks for touring and till next time enjoy your week! XOXO
THIS DIY is right up my alley, Denise. What a great idea and simple enough anyone can do. Now I need a clock! Thanks for sharing this cool idea and you shouldn’t tell us not to pin you. You’re adorable! 📌 📌 🙂 xo 🩷
There are SO MANY old clocks in our thrift stores here – I think its a great way to salvage them as well! and awww, thank youuu! 🤗 Enjoy your week my friend. XOXO
Hi Denise. I love your hanging succulents. So cute for a wall or shelf. Great idea. I’ve seen them in my local garden store and they cost a small fortune. This is a great way to make one at a fraction of the cost!
Love the fashion show. You look awesome. I’m a fool for plaid, so that’s my favorite.
I’ve seen these at garden stores (one in particular that sell large frames filled with succulents) and yes, they ARE pricey! And thanks… I love plaid as well!
Such a fun new use for that dated old clock!! It does look great on your bathroom shelves. And please tell me you got that red satin jacket…that was fabulous ha ha! XOXO
Thanks, my friend. I really like it on my bathroom shelf too! And love that red satin jacket, but NO, I did not buy it. It reminds me of Lenny from Lavern and Shirley… remember that show! 😂😂😂 Mind you, if it was BLUE satin like I had in middle school, I may not have been able to resist!😉