How to Make a Lighted Shadowbox
Lighted shadow boxes are a way to attractively display meaningful and beautiful objects. Antiques, artwork and awards are just a few of the items that can be placed in a lighted shadow box. Lighted shadow boxes can be constructed at home for a fraction of their retail cost. Furthermore, customized lighted shadow boxes made at home can be designed to fit the item on display and to match the decor of the room in which the shadow box will be placed. Illuminating an item in a shadow box adds drama and style to an otherwise ordinary display case.
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Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Handsaw
- 1-inch-by-6-inch wood board
- Plywood
- Pencil
- Sand paper
- Paint or Wood-stain
- Wood glue
- Power drill and drill bit
- 8 Screws
- 2 Light
- Hammer and Nails (optional)
Instructions
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1
Measure the length, width and depth of the item or items that will be displayed in the shadow box. Record these measurements on scratch paper.
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2
Use a handsaw to cut the 1-inch board into the dimensions recorded in step 1. Cut two lengths of board that are the same length as the width measured. Cut two lengths of board that are the same length as the height measured.
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3
Use a handsaw to cut a piece of plywood that has the same width and height as the measurements taken in step 1.
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4
Smooth the cut edges using sandpaper.
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5
Paint or stain the wood. Do not disturb the wood until it has dried.
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6
Place the 1-by-6-inch boards into the shape of a rectangle. Apply wood glue to each piece of wood at the corner in order to connect the shadow box frame.
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7
Divide the width of the bottom of the frame by three. Mark each third section of the frame using a pencil. Draw evenly spaced hash lines on the inside of the bottom frame.
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8
Use a drill bit to create two holes at the locations of the middle two hash marks drawn on the bottom of the frame.
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9
Use a drill to place a screw into each corner of the frame to connect each section of the frame to the adjacent section of the frame.
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10
Set the lights on the bottom on the frame, inside of the box. Pull each light cord through the holes in the bottom of the frame.
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11
Place the plywood on a flat surface. Lay the item or items that will be displayed on the plywood. Attach the display items to the plywood using wood glue or small nails.
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12
Apply a line of wood glue to the perimeter of the plywood.
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13
Set the frame on top of the plywood so that the glue attaches the plywood to the frame.
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14
Use a drill to insert a screw into each corner of the plywood to secure the frame to the plywood.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
