How to Fill a Shadow Box

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A shadow box, a special type of frame that is deeper to accommodate three-dimensional items, is an artistic way to display keepsakes while also protecting them from dust and curious little hands. Fill a shadowbox with items from when you were a baby to hang on your infant's nursery wall, or with items from your family vacation to display in the family room. Make a shadowbox to give as a gift filled with keepsakes from time spent with a loved one.

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Things You'll Need

  • Scissors

  • Spray Adhesive

  • Tape Measure

  • Flathead Screwdriver (Optional)

  • Items To Fill Box

  • Nail

  • Shadow Box

  • Hammer

  • Decorative Paper Or Fabric

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Step 1

Open the shadow box. Some open in the back, like a picture frame, by prying up metal tabs with a flathead screwdriver. Other boxes open in the front like a cupboard and have magnetic latches that keep them closed.

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Step 2

Measure the back wall of the shadow box with a tape measure. Cut a piece of fabric or decorative scrapbook paper in the same size. Adhere the paper or fabric to the back wall with spray adhesive.

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Step 3

Fill the box with appropriately-sized keepsakes such as baby booties for a nursery or seashells from your beach vacation. Arrange the items in a visually pleasing way. Use double-sided tape or small adhesive foam dots to stick items to the back panel of the box if your box opens from the back. Otherwise, hang the box on the wall first, and then fill it so you know what the finished product will look like.

Step 4

Close the shadow box. Hang it on the wall if it isn't already with a hammer and nail.

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