DIY: Making a Shadow Box

A commercial picture frame provides a finished look to shadowboxes.

Shadowboxes are versatile, three-dimensional frames. Hang several shadowboxes in a row for an attractive china display, commemorate a vacation with special mementos or show off a rare collection of coins. Making a DIY shadowbox is a simple project even novice woodworkers can finish in an afternoon. Buy new materials from a craft or home improvement store for a modern display case, or create a vintage shadowbox with antique milk crates and re-purposed picture frames. Basic project plans can be adjusted to suit the contents and your design needs.

Things You'll Need

• Wood glue
• 2, 1/2-inch pine planks, 6 by 4 1/2 inches
• 2, 1/2-inch pine planks, 9 by 4 1/2 inches
• Finishing nails
• Hammer
• 1/4-inch plywood, 9-by-7 inches
• Paint
• Paintbrush
• 5-by-7 inch picture frame (wood frame must be at least 2 inches wide)
• Glass mounting brackets
• Measuring tape
• 2 small hinges and screws
• Pencil
• Drill with driving and screwdriver bits
• Plastic wrap
• Masking tape
• Clear spray varnish

Instructions

1. Apply wood glue across the cut ends of both 6-inch planks.

2. Stand the two 6-inch pine planks on their sides, parallel to each other and 9 inches apart.

3. Abut the two 9-inch pine planks perpendicular to the 6-inch planks to form a box measuring 9-by-7 inches. The glued ends of the 6-inch planks should touch the inside face of each end of the 9-inch plank.

4. Allow the glue to dry according to manufacturer's specifications and reinforce the glued seams with three finishing nails at each corner.

5. Set the plywood sheet flat on a work surface.

6. Apply a ribbon of glue along the perimeter of the plywood sheet and set the pine box frame on top.

7. Allow the glue to dry and reinforce with finishing nails along the back of the plywood sheet.

8. Paint the inside and outside of the open-top box and allow to dry.

9. Disassemble the picture frame and secure the plate glass to the frame with glass mounting brackets. For best stability, install two per side.

10. Turn the pine box frame on its side so that the plywood sheet and open end form the front and back, the two 9-inch planks form the left and right sides and the two 6-inch planks form the top and bottom.

11. Measure to find the center of the top of the box (at 3 1/2 inches from either side). Mark this spot lightly on the rim, or 1/2-inch width, of the open side. Measure and mark 2 1/2 inches from either side of the center. Set a hinge over the mark and pencil in the location of the screw holes. Repeat this step for the picture frame, measuring the smaller dimension (the 5-inch side of a 5-by-7 frame) and marking on the back, unfinished side of the frame. This will allow the picture frame to swing up like a wing.

12. Predrill screw holes for the two hinges with the drill's driving bit. Install the hinges to attach the picture frame to the pine box.

13. Cover the glass with plastic wrap and masking tape.

14. Spray a clear varnish coat over the entire box and allow to dry.

15. Fill your shadowbox with memorabilia or items from a collection. Secure the picture frame to the box with a single finishing nail when your display is complete. Then hang the box as you would a picture frame, display it on a shelf or table or give it as a gift.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to use the shadowbox to display functional items such as fine china, don't nail the frame shut. Leave it as is or attach a magnetic closure for extra security.

References

• Picture Frames 101: Standard Picture Frame Sizes
• Martha Stewart: Shadow Box