Easy IKEA Clock Hack With A World Map

IKEA clock hack: The other day, I tagged along to my friend’s trip to IKEA. I had no intention of buying anything. Except perhaps some salt liquorice and pickled herrings (I have Scandi food tastes).

I spotted a display of Stomma clocks, priced at only £1.95 ($2.50) each.

I knew I had to buy one so that I could do an IKEA clock hack for fun.

Stomma IKEA Clock Hack With Map Tattoo

I do have a bit of a thing about IKEA hacks, especially with maps. There’s my IKEA map table, my Ikea Moppe maphack and my Rismon map lampshade.

These are all very popular, and I love them in my home. Being the predictable crafter, I did an IKEA clock hack with maps to complete the set.
 
The numbers on the IKEA Stomma clock are proud. I used tattoo paper for the map decoupage to avoid interfering with the mechanism. I needed the image transfer to be as thin as possible.

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What you need

• IKEA Stomma Clock, but I’m sure this upcycled craft would work very well with many other types of wall clocks.

• Copper Spray Paint
• Drak wax (optional)
• Printable tattoo paper
• Spray fixative or varnish
• Assorted Coloured Sharpies
• Map to print – I have a collection of free printable vintage maps here that you can use. I used the world map from this collection.

How to hack an Ikea Stomma clock with a world map

Step 1: First, dismantle the IKEA Stomma clock. This will involve removing the clear plastic front (a kitchen knife helps). I followed next by removing the clock mechanism.

Step 2: I wanted the map clock to have a slightly antique look to it. To achieve this, I covered the clock face with a newspaper. Then, spray paint the rest of the clock with copper spray paint. Once the paint is dry, rub dark furniture wax onto the copper paint. This will give it a slightly aged look.

Step 3: Next, upload your chosen map into Canva (a free graphics program). In the program, I chose an A4-sized template and a round frame sized to the clock’s face diameter.

Place the world map into the round frame. Then download and print the image. If you want to skip this step, use the same image I created below.

Step 4: Before printing the map clock face onto the tattoo paper, I recommend printing a test copy on normal paper first. To check the size and how it looks on the clock face.

Print a mirror image when ready to print onto the tattoo paper. To get a mirror image, go to the advanced settings in your printer menu options and tick the mirror image box.

Step 5: Next, follow the instructions that come with tattoo paper on how to transfer the image to the clock face.

The paper I used involved transferring the image to an adhesive paper and placing it face down onto the clock face, then wetting the paper’s back with a wet cloth. Finish off by removing the paper backing.

Step 6: The map transfer to the clock face with tattoo paper wasn’t perfect. This was partly due to the raised numbers on the IKEA Stomma clock face, and I was a bit cack-handed in removing the paper backing.

Rather than starting again, I realized that I could tidy up the edges of the map by colouring in the missing bits with Sharpies. This worked well and saved me from using another piece of tattoo paper.

Step 7: Finally, put the IKEA world map clock together and hang it on the wall.

 

Other Map Crafts

Check out my map projects if you like using maps in your crafts and decor. Or if IKEA hacks are more your thing, then you can see those here.

These clocks are so cheap I fancy a gallery wall set to different time zones. But instead of a world map having a map related to that time zone. There are many free vintage country-specific maps you can download here.

I’ve upcycled a mantle clock with fabric decoupage for a modern look; check it out, along with these other cool upcycled clock ideas.

Small mirrors are another item that can be picked up cheaply in IKEA; check out these IKEA mirror hacks. The A to Z of upcycling ideas featured this IKEA clock hack. And you’ll find more cool decoupage crafts here.