I love finding broken things at thrift stores because they are positively perfect for any number of upcycling ideas. And this clock box was no exception, since it was missing the clock! So, I decided to repurpose it into a power outage kit filled with supplies. AND it would double as an emergency lantern, as well.
See what I mean, though? It’s useless right now, but has so much potential.
And it would be PERFECT for a blackout kit because it’s like a little cabinet with room for power outage supplies.
For whatever reason, I couldn’t stop seeing it as an old-fashioned, vintage lantern. Like like an old railroad lantern that a conductor would hold in an old movie.
All I needed to do was give it a quick paint job and add a light. And once I filled it with power outage supplies it would be both decorative and functional!
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Creating an Power Outage Kit for a Blackout
Since I wanted the blackout kit to double as an emergency lamp, I needed to add some battery-operated lighting.
And an LED closet light (sometimes called a push light) was the perfect way to do so.
First, though, I needed a way to attach it while still being able to access the battery panel.
I had two options: (1) cut a larger hole on the front of the cabinet, or (2) use strips of Velcro on the light and the cabinet.
Because we had the tools, I traced the battery panel on the clock box over the existing hole and Jon cut it out with our jigsaw.
There! Now I would be able to access the batteries on my emergency lantern whenever I needed to.
But I know not everyone has a garage full of tools! If you don’t, you could skip that step and simply use sticky Velcro strips!
Next, I gave the clock box a makeover. I used a semi-gloss black paint to replicate the look of a vintage lantern.
My blackout kit was really coming together now!
Blackout Kit with Emergency Lantern
Then, I decided to spray paint the white rim of the LED push light. I carefully covered the center light with foil and spray-painted the rim a dark pewter color to set against the black.
Once the paint was dry, I super-glued the LED push light to the door of the blackout kit. I made sure to line up the back battery panel cover with the hole we had cut out!
Finally, I reattached the door and handle to my power outage kit and it was good to go! Complete with an emergency lantern.
And inside the blackout kit, I added some power outage supplies. My supplies included a solar-powered hand crank radio (that doubles as a cell phone charger!), my favorite LED tea lights, glow sticks, and matches.
So, if there’s a power loss, I’ll have all my supplies in kit that doubles as an emergency lantern.
Power Outage Kit from a Clock Box
It actually looks cute enough to leave out all the time. I could style it with my vintage cameras for a fun vignette!
I swear, a power outage kit and emergency lantern never looked so good…
And y’all, I totally turned off all the lights in our house one night and carried my power outage kit around with the “lantern” on. It was awesome! You could totally use this as part of a Halloween costume, too.
And all from an unfortunate looking clock box from the thrift store! I just love to give broken things new life, don’t you?
If you enjoyed this upcycling idea for keeping supplies organized and on hand, then you’ll also love this sewing caddy with needle cushion, as well!
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.
Your power outage lantern turned out great, Sarah! It’s beautiful and practical. That’s a cute picture of yourself in the side bar! 🙂
Thank you, thank you, Julia!!
I love this idea! I would never have thought of doing this with an old clock cabinet. The other clock is really pretty too.
Thanks, Vickie!!
Wow that is so awesome. I never would have thought of something like that. Now all I have to do is hit the “Thrift Stores” and find one of those clocks. ( maybe 2) I absolutely love it. We have a shed out back, (we’re converting it to a small get away) with no electric running to it and this would be Great !!!!! to use there as well as in the house for a power out. Thanks so much 🙂 I’m so glad I subscribe to your posts, You have some great ideas.
Thank you, Barbara! Make sure you enter the giveaway for a similar clock cabinet and push light!
Love the recycle of the clock! Would love to win the prize and make my own!! Thanks for sharing
Thank you, Peggy!
That is so, so darn clever, Sadie ! Love, love, love your projects. Always enjoy seeing what you’ve made lately. Somehow you make something from the dump look like a high-end, utilitarian gem. Thanks for sharing an extra “kit.” So generous of you ! Would love to have one, too. We’re moving into the country and apparently they’ve had power outages last year so this will come in as a handy kit. Love what you included inside it – will be doing that as well. What a great project !
Thank you very much, Lourdes- and good luck!!! I’m so happy that I found two clocks so that I could host a giveaway!
So clever!
Thanks, Carole!
I am so in love with this power outage lantern! The power goes out all the time where we live in Utah, and it would be so nice to have everything to light our way in one neat (and cute) box! Thanks so much for sharing! Annette from Spanish Fork, UT
Thanks, Annette!!!
super cute!!
Thanks, Melissa!
You are so clever! I think that I would copy your idea, but perhaps in a different color or style of paint. Thank you for this opportunity to win 🙂
Thank you and you are so very welcome- good luck!
What a clever idea, Sarah and so stink’n cute! pinned
Thank you so very much, Marie!!
I would love to replicate what you have done! We don’t loose power often, but when we do, we would need something like this to navigate the house without stepping on stuff, including all of our kitties! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
It’s amazing how well these inexpensive little push lights can illuminate- and it will definitely come in handy to avoid stepping on kitties! (We have the same problem/concern)
I remember way back when, these lights were very dim. Now, with the LED lights, they are probably much brighter. I hope I am the winner. I am very lucky and win things frequently. Just today, I won a $100 gift card to our local Food Lion where we shop for groceries. So, I’m feeling lucky!
Awesome!
Thanks, Kathy!
I never would have thought of this one, what a fantastic idea!
Thank you so very much, Victoria!
What a cool idea and handy and stylish too! You not what my kids find the hardest when the power goes out, not the lack of lights, or TV etc but the fact that the wifi is down.
I understand their frustration!! That’s a least favorite part of black outs for me, too!
It’s a pleasure to see your ideas go from zero to 100.
What a lovely thing to say- thank you!!!
I would either make a version similar to yours and use it with a fall display.
Oooh, love the Fall display idea. Of course, I love everything Fall, soooo… 😉
I am always amazed at how your mind does this !!
Aww, thank you so very much, Vickie!
I just recently donated this exact clock to a thrift store because I was not as inventive as you. Darn it! This would have been a fun project.
ARGH, isn’t that frustrating?? I know that feeling myself, all too well…
Brilliant idea! You are so clever. I would love to win and have one for myself.
Thank you so much, Debra!! I couldn’t resist hosting a giveaway once I had two of them. 🙂
This is an awesome idea. It turned out beautifully. Did you velcro the items inside to keep them in place?
Thanks, Terri! I did not (the lantern is laying on its back in that photo), but that’s a great idea!
I live in Florida and we are always having storms. This would look beautiful on my sideboard where it would always be accessible.
I lived in the West Palm Beach area and Fort Myers for nearly 15 years, so I remember Florida storms all too well!!
This is the most clever recycle ever!! I would love to try one! Great job!!!
Thanks, Shay!!
LOVE this idea! How fun!
I’d love to come over and play a game of Scrabble with you (I love board games)!
Great Job! I pinned this too so WHEN (not if!) I find one of these, I can make one too!
Thanks for the post!
Christy
We’re a board game-loving household, too!! Did you enter the contest to win a similar clock?
Yes! And my toes are
Crossed 🙂
You always come up with the best ideas Sarah. I’d also be walking around the house swinging my lantern, but I’d be trying to guide those poor souls who’ve been shipwrecked back to the shores 😉
I love how your mind works, Michelle! :*
Very clever! I have a mantle clock that is broken but it’s not a candidate for a lantern makeover since the entire front is glass with a very elaborate clock behind it. Now that I’ve pulled it out to take a look I think my broken clock will go on display again!
It definitely sounds display-worthy, even if it doesn’t keep time!
Great idea!!! You are so clever.
Thank you, Rose!
Missouri has plenty of power outages! Great idea for being able to keep something close and at the ready.
Thank you so much!
That is adorable! I love that idea….fun fun! Very creative:) Glad I found your post through the vintage charm party!
forgot…just entered! If I win, will copy this fantastic idea!
Thank you so much- and good luck! 🙂
OMGoodness!! I’m beyond charmed by your upcycle. One of your best yet !!
Thank you so much, Susan!!
It’s GREAT Sayruhhhhhh!!!
Muah!! Thank you, Kayrunnnnn!! Miss you, we need to get together soon!
As usual, I love your project. Both of my kids are in the process of buying houses; it would be a great gift for each of them. Plus a grandchild that is still fearful of the dark! Our power doesn’t go out for long periods as much as it used to; the ice storm of ’98 taught the power company to cut back the branches near their power lines. Whoever thinks candlelight and lamplight is romantic should live in a house with 5 kids (2 bedwetters), 2 dogs, 2 cats no electricity, no running water and the gas stove to cook on and a woodstove for spotty heat in Maine (Boyfriend at the time had 3 kids, dog and cat on top of mine) for 11 days. Going to Wal-Mart to get warm is NOT my idea of a good time! My kerosene hurricane lamps are NOT just for decor and I run the shades through the dishwasher now and again to be ready for an outage!
It really would be a fun housewarming gift- I didn’t think of that! And you could fill with supplies, too. Great idea!
That is an inspired idea! I am already thinking of things I could do with the second one!
Thanks, Naomi!! Good luck in the giveaway!
Today I think I might make a little wall cabinet out of it . I would take out the clock part and replace it with a piece of art or a photo or something pretty. Maybe I would distress the cabinet, making it look kind of like it came out of a barn and put a picture of a cow in it! What d’ya think?
Oh my gosh, that would be ADORABLE!!! I can totally see it. Or even paint it dark red like it was a barn with a photo of a cow like he/she was peering out from the barn! So many possibilities…
i was thinking lay it on its back and turn it into a jewelry or trinket box. and mount a picture of my favorite daughter(just kidding i only have the one) over the hole. but your idea was very cool. i love how imaginative you are.
Thank you, Angela!!
Awesome idea, Sarah! Seriously, when can I get a piece of that creative mojo 😉 Thanks for sharing at Funtastic Friday! Pinned
LOL, I’m always afraid my source will run dry!! Thanks so much, Angie- thanks for hosting!
Brilliant, lol, every pun intended with that one. Grins, Sandi
Hahaha, thank you, Sandi!
This is amazing, you continually blow me away with your ability to “see” new life with these thrift store finds!!! Super cute and so functional!
Thank you so very much, Kaycee!!
as usual your interesting mind comes up with an unique idea and gets me thinking, if painted red would remind me of old railroad lights xx
Totally! I had mentioned to someone else that painting it dark red like a barn would be a good idea…then a picture of a cow in the opening like he was peering out from his barn! 😉
I was shocked when I saw the finished project! Genius. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you, Kathy!
So creative as usual – love it! Thanks!
Thank you, Lisa!
I love creative people! I would never in a million years come up with this idea. It’s just candles and lanterns around here. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks, Colleen!
Oh my gosh, this is so smart, and so cute looking. I love that you can store a bunch of other things you’d need inside it so they’re all in one spot. And, it’s cute enough to be on display all the time, ready when you need it.
That’s probably the best part- how often is an emergency kit (of any kind) cute enough to be decor, too? Thank you, Toni!
As always, I am left speechless by your creativity and your ideas. Like Kaycee said above, I am blown away by your vision. Happy weekend!
THANK you so much, Kim- just the sweetest thing to say, I so appreciate it.
So clever, Sarah! Thank you for sharing @ Vintage Charm!
Thank you so much!
I am sp excited to see this tutorial!! I actually have three of these in a bix headed to my local goodwill. I had family that lost power during the recent hurricane and per their messages they could have used this!! Thanks for a great idea!!
LOVE!!!! That is so awesome- since you have three of them, is “clock cabinet” the right term? LOL- I wasn’t sure!!
This is beyond creative!! I LOVE this upcycle! It is so practical and would be beautiful to display. I would gift it to my husband who likes to sit on our back porch at night with our dogs. He listens to the trains behind our house at night. We don’t have a light on our porch, and being railroad inspired this would be perfect!!
Oh my gosh, it would be perfect for him!!! Good luck, Frangelica!
How about painting the rim of the light dome gold, more like a clock face?
Absolutely- great idea!
How useful AND great looking. Well done, Sarah!
Thank you so much, Angie!!
Ha, ha! I love your idea about painting the clock case red and having a cow looking out of the opening of “the barn”!!
🙂 🙂 🙂
What a great idea!
Thank you so very much, Peggie!
This is o cool. I will definitely be on the look out for a clock now.
Thanks, Marie! Did you enter the giveaway to win won?
Yes. I did. Sitting here with my fingers crossed.
You are unbelievably creative! Thanks for sharing. . You turned it into a stunning piece and should leave it out all the time. Who wants to look for a lantern when your home goes dark?
Thank you, Judy!!
This is such a clever idea, Sadie, I think I could use one of these at the campground!
That’s a great idea, Erin- I hadn’t thought of it, but you are totally right. This would be perfect for camping!!
This is brilliant! I am always so impressed with your creativity and eye for the unexpected! And so darn cute too!
Thank you so much, Cathy!
I would make this and leave in our hall; accessible from many points for emergencies. I love the idea of stocking emergency supplies inside!
I would keep it in our main bathroom. It fits the decor… and that windowless room NEEDS something for when the power goes out!!
Oh, definitely!
What a great idea! My search for a clock cabinet is on!
Thanks, Rebecca!
Oh my gosh! What an incredibly creative idea! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks, Carol!
OMG! You are so creative! What a clever idea!!!! Thank you for sharing at Sweet Inspiration Link Party 🙂
http://www.artdecorationcrafting.gr
Thank you, Christina!
gosh darn it, girl, do you have TWO brains in that amazing head? You are clever, but placing all the other items inside just nailed this as one of your best recycling ideas yet. I nominate you for the Noble Prize for recycling! Excellent thinkin, Lincoln.
Thank you SO much for the sweetest, most wonderful compliment, Susan! I’m just so glad that my ideas resonate…here’s hoping the well never runs dry! 😉
Another wonderful repurposed project. Thanks for sharing this with us at the Waste Not Wednesday link Party. Looking forward to seeing you back this week.
Thank you so much!!
Every time a walk around Goodwill I think, “l wish Sadie were here.”
Awwww, I love that!!! Thank you, Mary!
What a beautiful lantern.