I really like QLock's design (https://qlocktwo.com/en/qlocktwo-classic/), and since they offer very nice catalogs looking exactly like the product itself, I wanted to make a QLock copy using the catalog. It appears to be both simple and cheap. And it is also funny because you can own a fully legal copy of the clock itself based on a free giveaway.

Of course, if you're  more interested in the product itself than making your own, you should really buy it from Qlock - they are really great !

Phase 1 : Sourcing the components

Materials: a Wemos D1 board (2$ on aliexpress), 136 neopixel leds (15$ on aliexpress, 144 leds by meter non waterproof model. This is for the French version. You might need more or less depending on the version).

Tools: soldering iron, ruler, cutter, glue

2) Phase 2 : Preparing the catalog

The first step is to cut the catalog to create a space in which you will later insert you leds. Doing this you will separate the group of letters used by the clock (here for the French version).

Phase 3 : Soldering the leds

You need to chain group of leds, one group per word that the clock will need to light. One easy way to do this is to make a copy of the first page of the catalog, on which you will stick and solder groups of leds.

The soldering might be a bit challenging. I recommend using regularly the test arduino sketch - it lights all the leds one after the other, so that you can easily detect soldering defects as they appear.

The Neopixel chain is soldered directly on the Wemos D1 (using Ground, +5 and D4 pin from the Wemos). 

Phase 4 : Uploading the software

Upload the software on the Wemos D1 (you'll find many manuals for this on the internet). Plug the USB able somewhere (a charger or the USB plug you'll find on any TV set, internet box,...).

Phase 5: Add a filter to get a nicer look and feel

A piece of translucent paper or two do wonders  - thanks to https://hackaday.io/notloc for the suggestion.

Phase 6 : When everything works correctly, glue the catalog pages together

That's it !