How to Make a Shadowbox Frame

A common and perfect gift to give your mom or dad for mother's or father's day is a picture frame with a picture of the kids in it. But sometimes you want to fit more into a frame than just a picture; perhaps a keepsake of some kind from a first date, special dinner, or something or many more things. A shadow box is a perfect way to include all of those items. But they can be costly. So make your own.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 4: 1/2" to 1x3x12" boards (any wood)
• 1: 12" sheet of backing board
• 1: 12" sheet of felt
• Skill saw
• 4 screws
• Varnish

Make a Box for Memories

1. Go to your local lumber or home store and decide what kind of wood you would like. A light pine can be painted or stained to any color, but they dent easily. An oak or cherry might look even nicer, but are more expensive.

2. Decide the size (length and depth) you want your shadow box to be. If you have a lot of items, it can be as long as you want, though rarely are they any longer than 48 inches long and four inches deep. Pick the boards to match that size you need.

3. Set up a jig for your skill saw. This can be done easily by stacking up several boards or books on the side opposite the hand you will be using. For instance, if you are using your right to move the saw, you want the boards stacked up on the left.

4. Draw a line in pencil down the lengths of each board. Once cut, this is where your glass will go, so make sure you make them in the same spot, about 1/8 inch is good.

5. Place the boards all the way down at the base of the jig. Remove any extra books or boards until the saw blade extends just beyond the board in question.

6. Make a straight and quick cut with your skill saw along that board. Do the same for the remaining three boards.

7. Drill a hole in the corner edge of each board and secure three of the boards together in a box shape (without a lid) with the screws, making sure to leave one board off for now.

8. Take a hinge and secure the final board so that it opens up. This will be the top.

9. Go to your local fabric store and have them cut a piece of glass or plastic for your frame. For the smaller 12- to 24-inch frames, they will even have pre-cut glass, which will save you money.

10. Slide the glass into the frame.

11. Wrap the backboard in felt and staple the excess to the back.

12. Screw in the backboard.

13. Attach the objects to the backboard front with Velcro, glue, pins or just place them into the shadowbox.