Clocks

Clocks, everyone has them. Big and noisy, small and pretty, practical and elegant. So why am I talking about clocks? Well, I was asked to make a fused glass clock for a teenager. They wanted a gift that was unusual and useful yet something a guy could use in his room and not be just another teenage thing. I asked about his likes and found out he was into sports and the colors he favored were blue and black. Also, he likes geometric patterns. That covered a lot of sporting team colors so I used a white for the base color and designed three clocks.

I set off to make abstract face plates for his timeless gift. Now the glass part was easy. Drilling a hole was not. So I decided to make my design leaving an opening in the center. I would learn to perfect my glass drilling later when it was warmer. Drilling glass is messy and very wet. Not something I wanted to do outside this spring. Anyway, the fusing came together rather well.

On to the clock assembly. That was the last step. Have you ever used a clock movement kit? It is not as easy as it looks. Everything is small and wants to slip away from the glass. And it took many tries to discover how tight was just right so that the hands moved without slipping.

Finally the first one is done and working. Had to wait to see if it kept accurate time. On to the other two. I really expected the next assemblies to be easier now that I knew what to do. Not! The size of the holes were slightly different and the thickness of the glass was different. A little glass filing and a washer solved the new problems.

Three new fused glass clocks. Now, how to pack them without bending the hands during transportation. Figured that out and finished with bubble wrap and boxed them up.

I hand delivered then and the black and red design was chosen. I have heard that he liked the clock. Boys are so hard to buy for and I was happy I had a satisfied customer.

By the way, I delivered these clocks to Ashland Oregon. Don't expect me to provide this type of service all the time, but if I also get a great trip to Oregon I just might.