at the Present Time

11/24/2024

I’ve been on a three-year sabbatical from making any new posts on my page here, but I felt it was a good time to re-emerge from behind the veiled curtain.

I’ve done about 10 clocks in the past three years. I like always having one in process, but perhaps it gets put on hold while I spend the entire summer building a new terraced stairway in the rockery, or finishing the tile in the kitchen, or building furniture for the house etc. (I promise I’ll post some photos soon) So when Fall comes I move indoors, and make clocks again.

I’m finishing up this very sweet Arroyo Bungalow that was ordered quite a while back, when it dawned on me that this is the first time in 30 years that I don’t have clocks on back order, clocks that I need to be working on, I’m all caught up!

However I have been keeping the clockworks open, but taking more time, doing only one clock at a time and not being rushed. I feel like I’m finally getting it right.

But in the meantime, here are some of the clocks I’ve recently completed over the past couple years. I especially like doing things that are different in some way from what I usually do. I have a cabinet project already in mind for the new year for my home, but I’ll also be open to doing new clocks in the new year!

12/19/2021

I met James Davies over 10 years ago while doing the Arts & Crafts shows in Pasadena. Jimmi was making beautiful hand-hammered copper lamps and metalwork. I asked him if he could help me out by making some hammered copper bobs to go with the etched copper faces I was using in my clocks. Years later he moved from hammered copper lamps to his true passion, custom motorcycles.
Just before the pandemic hit, he and his wife followed their dreams and opened Revival Motors and Coffee Company, a place for your espresso needs and a place to showcase his work. It was a struggle at first but the shop found its place with its loyal customers.
Last week the impossible happened, and his whole life's work went up in flames. As a self-employed craftsperson, I cannot fathom how I would deal with such a tragedy.
If you can help them out, any donations would help and go to a very good cause.

Hello, Olympia community and our family and friends across the globe. It's … Audrey Henley needs your support for Revival Motors and Coffee Co. • Fire Relief

12/08/2021

Stepping out for just a bit this evening. Shipping some clocks tomorrow.

11/13/2021

I’ve had a busy and productive year though you probably wouldn’t think so, since I’ve hardly been very present with posting on this site.

The pandemic disrupted so many people’s lives, many with tragic stories. Thankfully, my husband Jack are I are fine and healthy. Our quarantine “lockdown” consisted of days, even weeks without leaving our bucolic bubble. Nobody “just popping by”, no big summer parties. It was heaven.

One of the results of the whole country being forced to stay home was that internet sales jumped. I’ve had more than double my usual number of orders over the prior years.

At the present time, I have enough work to keep me busy through the summer of next year, so I will not be taking any new orders for clocks for the time being. I want to be able to spend the time needed on the clocks I have on order, to pay attention to the details, and not feel rushed.

I’ve made over 4000 clocks over the past 30 years, and I feel fortunate to have been able to do something that I love doing, and been able to make a modest living with it. I’ve enjoyed my work, from the crazy early years with wholesaling through stores, to my later years where I do more custom work and I’ve learned to work at a slower pace.

In June I turned 66, and while feeling just fine, I recognize I no longer have the same energy I had in my 40’s. With our questionable future lying ahead, I want to take time for more of the other things I enjoy doing but never have the time to do.

I want to use this page to share with you some of the other things I do and create, and a myriad of other passions and projects I’m hoping to have more time for.

I’m also planning to offer things for sale that are listed only here on this site. I have shelves of history and forgotten projects that I hope see the light of day, someday.

01/31/2021

I figured I'd better post some photos of the clocks I've completed this winter.

09/06/2020

In this most unusual summer with no visitors or summer parties I was able to focus more on working on three of the new Pasadena wall clocks. I designed this clock around James Mattson’s etched copper Landscape face. They are made from figured cherry, here with two different finish shades. The third one is at the clock shop having its Hermle mechanical movement installed. For more information, http://www.present-time-clocks.com/product/pasadena-wall-clock/

06/20/2020

It's been a busy spring this year, here's some of the clocks recently competed and shipped.

03/23/2020

I shipped this Prairie Column clock this week as thoughts crossed my mind about the realities of this virus we are all dealing with right now.

I have been fortunate in that I have been able to make my living over the past 30 years while working from home. Ten years ago I built my home and studio in the tiny town of Acme Washington, so isolation is very natural for me.
In early February the first case of the Corona virus was found in Everett Washington a town that is not to too far from here. Understandably alarmed, my husband Jack and I have been adhering to all recommended guidelines and conscience of any contacts we have had with people. Still healthy as far as we know!

All this being said, I feel confident that I am shipping a virus free product, perhaps to bring some joy into our stressful times.
Stay healthy everyone and go wash your hands!

02/22/2020

Pasadena wall clock in Khaya Mahogany, on its way across the country to its new home in Virginia. Etched copper face

Present Time clocks are unique timepieces hand-crafted by Jim Dailey. The designs are inspired by the past, but are made for the present day. A Present Time clock is the perfect accessory for your bungalow, whether it was built at the turn of the 20th century or the 21st.

02/15/2020

The Happy Hour clock is completed! This has been a fun project and I'm pretty pleased with the end result. I love the fact that I've been able to draw from my painting background and combine it with the woodworking skills I've practiced over the past 30 years. I'm looking forward to further developments in this direction. Stay tuned!
(dimensions: 42" x 17" x 1 1/2")

01/31/2020

January is a time I set aside to try different things and develop new ideas.
I've been working on a custom clock this past month for a couple who want a clock to hang behind their bar. It will be permanently set at "a little after 5 o'clock" also known as Happy Hour.
This is only the clock dial that I'll be using in the piece. I'll be sharing photos of the completed work in a few weeks when I'm finished with it.
This is about 9" square, made from book matched leopard wood and curly maple. The frame is ebony and the dial is laser etched inlay.

12/22/2019

Holiday Greetings from the Present Time Studio!