Welcome to this month’s International Blogger Club (IBC) challenge! It’s time for the Sands of Time theme, and I’m thrilled to share my Upcycled Sands of Time: Egyptian‑Themed Sand Timer Stand. I rescued an old hourglass from my cupboard and transformed it into a striking Egyptian‑inspired décor piece using pallet wood, vinyl decals and metallic wax highlights.

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Upcycled Sands of Time: Egyptian‑Themed Sand Timer Stand

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Materials Needed

• Old sand timer (hourglass)
• Pallet wood off‑cuts
• Wood planer (optional)
• Orbital sander and sanding paper
• Screws (20 mm) and screwdriver
• Wood glue and clamps
• Polymorph beads (mouldable plastic)
• Short metal rods (for supports)
• Router with edge bit (optional)
• Cricut machine, black vinyl and transfer tape
• Black gesso primer
• Gold metallic wax paste
• Clear acrylic sealant spray
• Heat gun (for polymorph adjustments)

Step 1: Prepare the Wood

I used leftover pallet wood and ran it through my planer to flatten the surface, then trimmed the edges and sanded smooth with an orbital sander.

Cut two larger boards for the top and bottom, and two narrower boards for the sides.

Step 2: Build the Base Frame

Drill pilot holes to prevent splitting, then screw the sides to the top and bottom pieces.

Next, cut and attach a second layer of wood a few centimetres larger for a decorative reveal.

If you have a router, add a rounded or chamfered edge for a refined finish.

Screw the new board onto the bottom panel, countersinking the screws so the base sits perfectly flush on the table. Fit the top piece only once everything else is assembled.

Step 3: Create the Timer Supports

Place the polymorph beads into boiling water; they’ll melt and become clear.

Mould a band of Polymorph around the centre of the hourglass—this will anchor the timer to the stand. Then form two small Polymorph balls, pressing each metal rod into a ball to create a snug socket. When you’re ready to install, warm the Polymorph with a heat gun and press each ball onto the central support, locking the rods—and the timer—securely in place.

Clamp the two wood pieces together, mark the exact centre, then drill through both layers in one go—this guarantees your metal supports will line up perfectly on each side.

Insert and secure the metal rods into the side supports, drilling each hole slightly deeper to provide enough clearance for the hourglass to slide smoothly back into the frame.

Step 4: Apply Egyptian Decals

Search online for free Egyptian god silhouettes or download vector files. Upload to Cricut Design Space, cut in black vinyl.

Adhere the vinyl decals to all faces of the frame so the design remains visible from every angle as you admire the sand timer.

Since the side panels were too narrow for decals, I created miniature pillars by wrapping reed sticks in rolled newspaper to mimic classic column shapes.

Step 5: Paint and Highlight

Prime the entire stand with black gesso. Once dry, assemble the top layer with wood glue and clamps—no screw holes to fill!

Dip your fingertip into gold metallic wax paste and lightly rub over raised details and decals. Avoid covering all the black to maintain contrast. Let wax cure for 12 hours.

Step 6: Seal and Finish

Mask the sand timer to protect it from overspray, then apply a clear acrylic sealant.

More Pallet wood projects

Using leftover pallet wood, I crafted a bar‑style bird feeder so that birds can fly up, perch comfortably, and enjoy their meal.

I crafted this pallet‑wood shelf to hold keys, dog leads and hats, while also doubling as a stylish display surface.

About IBC (International Bloggers Club)

If you follow my blog, you will know I am part of IBC (International Bloggers Club), which is a group of talented bloggers from around the world. We have members from Spain, South Africa, Australia, the United States, and Canada. Each month we come together and create a project in a common theme.

If you missed last month’s Rock N Roll theme, here is the link to my Elvis tribute guitar.  The contributions from my fellow bloggers are listed below. Please feel free to jump over and share your thoughts.

1. Me| Unique creations By Anita
2. Interior frugalista |How to turn photos into watercolour prints
3. Birdz of a feather | DIY Sand Candle
4. A Crafty Mix|DIY Sands of Time Hourglass

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