Copper and Satin Wall Clock

Steps 1-2

Steps:

1. Straighten each of the six 18-inch copper wires by pounding them with a mallet on a rug on the floor.

2. Place the six copper wires together in a bundle and insert a piece of a broken pencil in the center with three wires on each side. Wrap a piece of 24-gauge wire around the wires and the pencil to hold them together and create a space for the clock mechanism. The piece of pencil will be removed later.

Steps 3-4

3. Mark thirteen 3-inch sections on the 42-inch insulated wire and join at the two outermost marks, forming a circle with 12 evenly spaced marks to delineate hours.

4. Attach two of the hour stems to the circle at the 12/6 o'clock and 3/9 o'clock positions by winding them around the wire frame at the 3-inch bends.

Step 5

5. Using one of the lengths of 24-gauge wire, secure the hour stems to their appropriate hour markings by winding it around the frame and each of the hour stems. This will stabilize the hour stems and evenly space them around the frame. There will be excess wire from each of the hour stems that will extend beyond the frame.

Steps 6-7

6. Curl the excess wire of each stem inward toward the frame with needle-nose pliers.

7. Remove the pencil from the center of the hour stems.

Step 8

8. Tear or cut strips of cloth from two different patterns of fabric. Fold the edges of the strips in toward the center, then in half lengthwise and press.

Step 9

9. Beginning at the center, begin weaving one of the cloth strips around the hour stems to create the surface design pattern. Tie the end of the strip to the beginning end.

Step 10

10. To secure the cloth to the center, wrap 24-gauge wire around the outer edge of the cloth wrap winding it around each hour stem and placing a bead along the wire at each hour stem.

Step 11

11. With each of the 18-inch hour stems, make bends 3 inches in from the frame end using needle-nose pliers.

Step 12

12. Weave the second cloth strip around each hour stem at the bend in each wire and tie the two ends together.

Step 13

13. Weave a piece of pliable metal cable over the woven cloth strip to add a little sparkle. Secure both the cloth and cable with a piece of 24-gauge wire wrapped around each stem wire.

Step 15

14. Fold the satin backing into quarters and snip a tiny hole in its center.

15. Place the satin circle behind the wire framework and insert the clock shaft to hold the satin snugly to the clock frame.

Step 16

16. Hand-sew the outer edges of the satin backing to the outer clock rim with gold metallic thread using an overhand stitch.

Steps 17-20

17. Wrap a piece of pliable metal cable around the outer edge of the frame and secure it to the frame with gold metallic thread.

18. Wrap the dangling wrapping wire around the clock shaft to hold the clock in place and get the wire temporarily out of the way.

19. In places where the satin puffs out more than you want, sew it gently to the copper rods or cloth weavers. This will create variations in the backing while keeping it secure.

20. Fine-tune the shape of the clock, bending it by hand or using the mallet, taking care not to harm the plastic housing of the clock mechanism.

Steps 21-22

21. Add the hour, minute and second hands and the battery to the clock.

22. Hang your copper and satin wall clock and enjoy.

Suzanne Marinelli is a very energetic artist who feels blessed to be living in Hawaii. She began her art career by accident. While she was trying to stop smoking, she found that art kept her hands busy. Thus, she found herself doing artwork all the time as her favorite hobby.

Website: www.mostlywoven.com