This multi photo frame was unusual enough to catch my eye at the thrift store. Right off the bat, it reminded me of a vintage pocket watch with its multiple round spots for clock faces. Of course, when the cashier remarked how unique the frame was and I mentioned the pocket watch familiarity that I was feeling, she looked at me like I was crazy. But that’s ok- I’m used to that by now. All I knew was that I planned to turn it into a pocket watch wall clock (albeit a fake one) to hang on the wall!
See what I mean, though? It really does look like a vintage pocket watch.
And with a little makeover magic, I could transform it into the idea of steampunk wall decor that I had in mind.
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Upcycling a Round Picture Frame into Steampunk Wall Decor
First things first, I had to disassemble the multi photo frame, which was pretty simple and easy.
I unscrewed the top ring, and simply popped out the little frames. They consisted of a brass-tone metal ring, a convex plastic cover, and paper/cardboard backing.
I wiped everything down and gathered some paint. I wanted to use a dark metallic bronze for the wooden frame itself, and an antiqued brass paint to brush on the metal rings.
The metal rings didn’t NEED to be painted, but I wanted to brighten them up so that they would pop against the darker wood.
When all the painting was said and done, this is how everything looked. Now I could really transform it into a vintage pocket watch to use as steampunk wall decor.
Now. To make it look like a pocket watch wall clock, I was going to need a bunch of watch faces that were the perfect size. That meant that using the real thing was pretty much out of the question.
Yes, I could have hunted on Etsy for vintage watch faces that fit the frame, but I decided to go in an easier direction.
I turned to the next best thing- vintage clock face clipart or printables!
First, I saved the vintage clock faces from that website to my computer before resizing them to fit the frame. I also added arrows as “hands” in my photo editing program.
Now they were ready to be printed and inserted into the picture frame!
From there, it was just a matter of cutting them out and re-assembling each mini-frame inside the larger multi photo frame.
It was starting to really look like a vintage pocket watch! Then, I continued working my way around the picture frame until each opening had been filled.
Pocket Watch Wall Clock from a Picture Frame
And. That. Was. It! My upcycling idea for steampunk wall decor was done!
It was almost worth me driving back to that thrift shop to show the cashier. But then she’d REALLY think I was crazy, so I’d better not.
But ultimately, I was thrilled with how my DIY (and fake) version of a pocket watch wall clock turned out.
Isn’t it so cool? To be be perfectly honest, I don’t have a lot of steampunk decor in our home. But I just had to see if I could make my idea come to life.
If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for a vintage pocket watch, then you’ll love this collection of repurposing projects as industrial home decor!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
When I looked at the finished project, before reading how you made it, I actually thought the clocks/watch faces were real! Good job!!
Thank you, Beverly!!! That’s why I used those images because they look so real! 🙂
You did it again, what a great and unique idea! Love it!
Thanks, girl!!
O M G. I love it! And, if you can’t find a place for it at your house, I sure can in mine. :o)
Thank you so much, Linda! I plan on listing it on Etsy for $18.00 (plus shipping). If you’re interested, let me know and I can do a reserve listing.
Yes, I would like to purchase. Let me know when you have it ready so I can go in & pay for it. Thank you SO much! BTW–I received my necklace (made from tennis racquet handle) and it is great! Linda
Great! Here’s the Etsy listing- because it’s a solidly built piece, it’s too heavy for first class shipping and will have to go priority. If that’s not ok with you, just let me know and I’ll open the listing to other interested buyers. Thank you! https://www.etsy.com/listing/603781215/reserved-listing-for-linda-pocket-watch
Paid for.
A very clever mind you have! I love the funkiness of the clocks. I wish I had your computer skills to figure out the re-sizing and the addition of the hands, but maybe I should practice. What program did you use to work with the images? Thanks for another great upcycling project. And I had to smile at the store photo with the frame next to a crockpot. Is your Goodwill really that jumbled?
Thanks, Laura! I use picmonkey (the paid version- but there’s a less-exciting free version, as well). Not all of my Goodwills are that jumbled…but this one sure was!
It reminds me of those displays showing the times in different time zones. Cute.
Exactly!! Thank you so much!
Well if you’re too shy about showing that cashier how your vision unfolded, I would definitely slip her your business card during the next visit. She’ll be so impressed with what you create with THEIR stuff that word will surely get around among everyone who works there and so on and so on. Pinned because it’s so dang cute!
Thank you, sweet friend!!
It’s so uniquely you! You always amaze me with your vision and creativity! Great job.
Thank you so much, Debra!
You did it again, girl! Love it! I bet your thrift shop gets a lot of crazy customers. Next time, ask her if she left her imagination at home that day!!
You are so creative! I never would have thought of that. Now I want to find a frame just like it!
Thank you so very much, Cherryl!
Sadie,
that is so cute!!!! Surely you have some place in your home to display!
Thank you, Vickie! It’s actually on its way to the gal who bought it! I’m trying to be better about selling more of my projects. 🙂
When I saw the first photo, I thought they were real pocket watches! What a great DIY!
Right?? Those pics from EPBOT were perfect because they look real, especially since I downsized them for my project. Thank you so much!
Brilliant! Love the way you think!
Thank you, Nancy!
Fantastic . . . the wheels are turning . . . . wouldn’t this be a great Mother’s Day gift? . . . . I can see the time on each of the clocks as the time of her children’s births . . . . or an anniversary gift with the times of the wedding and special events throughout their lives . . . . yes, wheels turning!
LOVE those ideas for really personalized touches!!!
So, so awesome. EVERY. DARN. TIME. Love it!
Thank you so very much!!! <3
I love pocket watches and especially love your vision!
Thank you so much, Sue!
Ridiculously clever and awesome! You have me brainstorming over what I can print out and use now!
I’ve featured you in this upcoming weekend’s DIY Salvaged Junk Projects. Thanks for linking up! 🙂
Thank you, sweet friend! I’m so sorry I’ve been less reliable about your link party of late. I’ve gotten lax in my link party participation, LOL. Appreciate the feature more than you know!
This is truly amazing you are so talented.
Maria
Awww, thank you so much, Maria!
Love this. My children are living in different parts of the world so I imagine this is showing cities around the world / the different time zones