I have an old coo coo clock that my mom got when I was a child. She collected either Blue Chip Stamps or Green Stamps to get it. I remember going with her to the store to get it. And, I remember it coo cooing on the hour and the half hour for years and years as I grew up. My parents gave it to me a long time ago and I hung on the wall in our last house. Since we moved, about eight years ago, it's been in a box and stored in a closet.
I think it's brown paint is kind of ugly. So, I have a coo coo idea in my head that it might be cute if I painted it black...or red...or ivory...or ??? Here's how it looks now...
The little blue bird might stand out better against another color. Isn't it cute?!...
I could even paint the bird at the bottom blue and the leaves green. But that might be going a bit too far. I'm not even sure if it's a good idea to paint it. I know it's not a quality clock but it was purchased with shopping stamps which you can't do anymore. And, it was made in West Germany...
It has another stamp on the back...
I wouldn't want to ruin it if it's a collector item. But, it does have a few flaws. It looks like it has been broken and put back together. See the cracks on the back?...
Here's another one...
There's a tiny crack in the roof too. And, a spot of white paint...
It doesn't quite work right either. I took it to a clock repair shop years ago and was told that they wouldn't be able to fix it. But, I could get a second opinion. Although, I'm not a huge fan of coo cooing and the constant tick tock sound. I could just hang it on the wall as a decoration.
What do you think? Would it be coo coo to paint this little clock? If so, what color? Or, should I just clean it up a bit and hang it on the wall as it is? Either way, it's an interesting little keepsake of my time growing up.
I appreciate your thoughts and comments. Thanks for stopping by. :-)
8 comments:
I would paint it. and put it on a little sliver of a wall that has color on it. a white or off white, would look nice. I remember collecting stamps and my mother did too. I have a set of glasses still that I bought with the stamps just before moving to CA in '83, found matching dinner plates at Pic & Save to go with them. Heavy! Man are they heavy glasses. All cought up with your blog. Miss seeing you!
ME!
That's a real dilemma. You might want to get the opinion of someone who owns a clock shop. But as for how you decorate it, I think any of those ideas would be very charming--even just leaving it plain.
Maybe you can check on Ebay to see if anyone has sold one lately. Then you can get some idea of the price.
But my inclination is for you to go for it and paint it. I think it could look very cool with more color. (Of course, my painting ability is about kindergarten level....so I'm not sure what I'd do in your shoes!!)
Either way, enjoy!
Sue
I'd ask the guy at the clock shop to give you an esitmate of value - I agree that's it's probably not all that valuable, bt you never know. If it's not, then paint away!!
I too grow uo with a few of these clocks in our home. They were bought in germany, (we lived there at the time) all of them are brown with not much color, but great detail in the carved animals. We had one that was almost 4 feet from the tallest pitch in the roof to the knap sack at the bottom. I just loved them so much. What if you left it brown and just painted with a darker color the carved groves to make then stand out more? The bird could use some brighting, go for it. I think its wonderful that you have kept this clock for so many years. Even if you never turn it on, it will always make you feel like a kid again :)
Have fun....
go for it! how wonderful to give a terrific clock that is filled with memories (almost wrote momeries LOL) new life with new colors!
of course, only if its value will increase for YOU!
I was thinking about my parent's coo coo clock the other day, wishing they still had it. If it's going to sit in a box the way it is, then I'd bring it out and paint it how you'd like and enjoy. I like the idea of cream with maybe "antiquing" in the grooves. But, a pretty aqua leaning ocean blue would be pretty too. Don't you like my color name? :-)
Oooo! Definitely paint it red! The bluw bird would stand out so well. And I'd paint the leaves green. It's your clock! Even if it doesn't work, it'll be a great thing to hang on the wall.
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