Also here’s a link to my favorite paper quilling tool set it has everything!👇
Every crafter knows the satisfaction of turning something old or broken into something new and beautiful. When my clock stopped working, I saw an opportunity—not just to fix it, but to reimagine it entirely. This is the story of how I transformed a once-functional timepiece into a unique piece of art using paper quilling and origami.
Paper Quilling: Bringing Life to the Clock Face
I’ve always been fascinated by the delicate beauty of paper quilling, a craft that involves rolling, shaping, and gluing strips of paper to create intricate designs. For this project, I decided to use regular white paper. I rolled it into small, tight coils and began arranging them within the clock face. The simplicity of the white paper allowed me to focus on the shapes and textures, creating a sense of depth and movement.
As I continued, each section of the clock began to fill with these tiny rolls, each one unique yet part of a harmonious whole. It was like watching a mosaic come together, piece by piece, until the entire surface was covered in a delicate, lace-like pattern.
Adding a Touch of Origami
To complement the quilled design, I decided to incorporate a few origami butterflies. Origami has always been a calming and meditative process for me, and I thought these little butterflies would add a whimsical touch to the piece. I carefully folded them from the same white paper, making sure they were just the right size to nestle among the quilled coils.
The Final Transformation: Paint and Color
With the quilling and origami complete, it was time to think about color. I wanted the clock to have a cohesive look, so I decided to paint the entire piece brown. This earthy tone gave the clock a warm, rustic feel, making it look more like a piece of woodwork than a collection of paper strips. The butterflies, now part of the overall design, needed a contrasting color to stand out. I chose to paint them black, creating a striking contrast against the brown background.
The End Result: A Timeless Piece of Art
When the paint dried, I stepped back to admire the finished piece. What had once been a broken clock was now a beautiful work of art. The quilled paper gave the clock face texture and intricacy, while the origami butterflies added a touch of elegance and movement. The brown and black color scheme tied everything together, making it a perfect match for the décor in my home.
This project reminded me of the joy of upcycling—taking something that no longer serves its original purpose and giving it a new life through creativity. Now, every time I look at my clock, I don’t think about the hours ticking away. Instead, I see a timeless piece of art that I had the pleasure of creating with my own hands.
If you have a broken clock or any other item that’s no longer useful, I encourage you to see it as a blank canvas, just waiting for your creativity to transform it into something beautiful. Paper quilling, origami, and a bit of paint can go a long way in making the ordinary extraordinary.
-Chandee
Dandychandee 