A DIY Painted Clock for the Dorm

Take one boring alarm clock from the dime store. Add a little creativity and some paint, and voila - a one-of-a-kind timepiece. Here's what you'll need:

• An inexpensive alarm clock, with a plastic casing ($5-$10)

• A few small bottles of acrylic paint in your choice of colors ($0.89-$1.39 each)

• Metallic gold paint ($1.39)

• Shellac or clear gloss, optional

• Fine paintbrush, sponge

• Newspapers to cover your work surface, and a paper plate or sheet of foil for mixing colors