How to Make a Shadow Box: Part One

You and your homeschooled child have collected a variety of objects for various projects. What do you do with them now? Here's how to make a beautiful shadow box to organize any collection.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Variety of found objects
• Spiral notebook and colored pencils
• 1" by 3" stock wood (get the longest piece you can and cut it to the sizes you want yourself)
• Hand saw or electric saw
• Sand paper in coarse, medium, and fine grades
• Acrylic paint or markers
• Small tack-style nails, 1/2 to 3/4 inches long
• Tack hammer
• Carpenter's glue or Liquid Nail (TM)

Decisions, Decisions...

1. http://www.allposters.com Gather all the objects you wish to display. Organize them by area found, type, size, color, or whatever other criteria you choose. If the objects are different enough from one another, you may wish to make more than one collection.
2. Different Sized Spaces? Decide how many objects will be in each shadow box. Decide whether you want equal spaces, or whether some spaces in the box should be larger than others.
3. Different Sized Spaces Make an Interesting Display. Cut your box sides and space dividers once you have decided how many spaces your shadow box should have. Remember: measure twice, cut once! Make sure your sides are the same length, unless your are making a triangle box. For a rectangular display, cut 2 long and 2 short sides. For a square display, cut 4 equal-length sides.
4. Put glue on ends of pieces at (1). Place glued ends at (2). Put a small amount of glue on the ends of your short sides, using Liquid Nail(TM) or carpenter's glue.

Tips & Warnings

• "Measure Twice, Cut Once!"
• Use adult supervision when working with power tools or saws during Part One of the project.
• Always work in a well-ventilated area when using Liquid Nail(TM) for Part One, or when painting during Part Two.