How to Create Decorative Shadow Boxes
Often created inside a deep, compartmentalized frame, a shadow box provides the room to store and display photos and dimensional memorabilia. Use a shadow box frame to make a themed arrangement of ephemera such as a collection that captures vacation, childhood or wedding memories. Ensure each element and embellishment is easily visible and affixed securely inside the frame by using simple design techniques and adhesive products to assemble an eye-catching shadow box display for your treasured keepsakes.
Things You'll Need
- Tape measure
- Shadow box frame
- Photos
- Memorabilia
- Screwdriver
- Paper trimmer
- Cardstock or decorative paper
- Double-sided tape
- Adhesive dots
- Embellishments
Instructions
-
-
1
Use a tape measure to measure the spot where you plan to display the project to ensure you buy a shadow box frame with the correct dimensions. Gather and measure the size of the pictures and memorabilia you wish to include in the arrangement to find a frame that also has compartments large enough to house the items.
-
2
Remove the back of the shadow box frame by using a screwdriver to turn the metal clasps or pry up the metal tabs along each side of the frame. Give the shadow box a decorative background by using a paper trimmer to cut a piece of cardstock or patterned paper to affix to the front of the particle board backing with double-sided tape.
-
-
3
Lift the shadow box divider insert out of the frame and lay it on top of the particle board backing. Without adhering anything, arrange the shadow box memorabilia and pictures where you'd like the items to appear in the finished project.
-
4
Affix large, flat items like photos, brochures or greeting cards directly to the particle board backing with double-sided tape. Tack dimensional items like trinkets, dried flowers or small toys to the insert "shelves" with adhesive dots to ensure they don't shift when you move and hang the frame.
-
5
Fill any empty spaces with themed embellishments affixed to the background with adhesive dots. Use buttons for a baby arrangement, a strand of pearls for a wedding display or a handkerchief for a heritage shadow box, for instance.
-
6
Place the frame back over the insert, carefully turn it face down and reattach the particle board backing before hanging the project on a wall or displaying it on a table or shelf.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you're using a shadow box frame that only has one large "compartment" beneath the glass, affix a large photo in the center and arrange larger dimensional items along the bottom of the frame, secured with adhesive dots. If desired, adhere smaller and lighter tidbits such as ticket stubs, shells and matchbook covers around the photo with double-stick tape or adhesive dots.
Protect the photos and ephemera in the shadow box from fading over time by hanging or displaying the arrangement in an area that's out of the path of direct sunlight.
Although you can design a decorative shadow box arrangement inside a container like a silverware drawer organizer or antique printer's tray turned on its side, note that the open front will allow dust to settle on the photos and trinkets.
