Reuse An Old Clock To Make The Cutest Place To Store Cash

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Vintage clocks are timeless and fascinating works of art with their intricately carved wood or metal casings and gleaming glass faces. Even if their inner workings don't function anymore, you can rescue these exquisite timepieces from a landfill by converting them into one-of-a-kind decorative pieces. Beyond their craftsmanship, antiques like these can add retro charm to your living spaces. In fact, you can repurpose just about anything by employing an ingenious hack to make your thrifted antiques work in your home. For example, Instagrammer @breeyashade gave a battery-powered alarm clock a whole new purpose by turning it into a stylish catchall for spare cash. She stripped off the paint, removed the clock face and inner parts, and ended up with a modern twist on the classic piggy bank — a chic little spot that looks way prettier than a plain old jar for stashing bills and coins.

You won't need much to pull off this makeover—just a screwdriver to release the clock's inner workings from its case. Then, you can update the timepiece's exterior with either some paint stripper or fresh paint. Of course, if you want to get creative with extra details or decorations, feel free to grab a few more supplies — stickers, pom-poms, sequins, or anything else that fits your style. If you have an old battery-operated alarm clock, or even a retro mechanical windup one, this project will make it easy to refresh the vintage-inspired find for your modern home.

First, open the battery compartment and detach the battery — if it has one. Remove the clock's back, its internal components, and its face. Most clock parts are secured by screws. Once you've loosened them with a screwdriver, the inner section and the clock's face should slide out. Releasing the screws may also allow you to detach exterior pieces like bells or feet. Then strip the original finish from the clock's shell with a product like Citristrip Paint and Varnish Stripping Gel to reveal the brass or other metal beneath, or cover the clock with a coat of spray paint or chalk paint. Allow the finish to dry.

You can next reassemble the clock, with or without its face. To make it easy to open and close, try adding a tiny hinge like these Salbsever Small Brass Antique Mini Hinges. Another option is to cut a piggy-bank-like slit in the clock's backing; pasting decorative paper around the opening's edges will make it smooth. For an extra personal touch, consider covering the clock face with a photo or decorative paper before reattaching it.

Even a non-working piece can fill a new purpose in your home — so don't toss your old alarm clock! It can serve multiple purposes — including as a place to store colorful spools of thread, thimbles, paperclips, or sticky notes. For a whimsical touch, take out the clock face and paste a pretty forest background on the inside of the clock's backing. Then add moss and insert a cute animal figurine,  like a deer or rabbit. Place your reimagined clock on a shelf, and it'll bring a smile whenever you pass by.