How to Make a Family Keepsake Shadow Box

Shadow box about the birth of the couple's first child

A shadow box is similar to a picture frame, in that it typically hangs on a wall and its purpose is to display its contents. A shadow box is deeper than a picture frame, usually about 2 to 3 inches deep, to allow small three-dimensional items to be placed inside. The box includes a series of non-symmetrical cubby hole-like shelves that are arranged to provide interesting spaces to display items. Shadow boxes are a way to display small mementos and keepsakes. It is fun to create a family keepsake shadow box for yourself, or to give as a special gift.

Instructions

1. Define the shadow box's theme. The shadow box might display a random assortment of family keepsakes, or you may define a more specific topic, such as a shadow box about your grandmother, or one on past family reunions. The shadow box in the picture is about the birth of the couple's first child.

2. Gather together the small keepsake items to display in the shadow box. If the theme is on general family history, then gather together the most visually interesting or sentimental small items. If the theme is more specific, gather only the small items that apply.

3. Look for small photographs. Photographs make an ideal backdrop for the small cubbyholes. Scan old photographs to create digital images on your computer. When you are assembling the shadow box, you can print out the desired images, in the appropriate sizes.

4. Recreate memories with new items. Not all of the items need to be actual keepsakes. For example, when the woman in the pictured shadow box was pregnant, she craved hot fudge sundaes. A small plastic hot fudge sundae was added to the shadow box to represent that fact.

5. Obtain the shadow box. Now that you have gathered together the items, you have a better idea how large of a shadow box is needed. At one time crafters commonly made their own shadow boxes out of wooden soda crates. Today shadow boxes, of varying sizes, can be purchased at craft stores.

6. Remove the glass covering from the shadow box and begin arranging your items on the small shelves. Use glue, tape or small tacks to secure the items. Stagger the items on the shelves to create a three-dimensional look. Print out pictures or cut out images from cards or magazines to provide backdrops behind each self.

Tips & Warnings

• Some shadow boxes are like frames, in that they have no interior shelves.

• If an item is a valuable heirloom, do not secure it to the box with glue or damage it when adding the item to the shadow box.