Make a Shadow Box Frame

Making your own shadow box frame is a simple project made with just a little wood. Shadow boxes are useful for displaying favorite objects or to build craft scenes within.

Steps

Cutting the Framing Wood

  1. Decide on the size and shape of the shadow box. It will need to fit the objects you wish to put on display without being too bulky.
    • A fairly typical size matches the same size as printer paper or a regular picture frame.
    • The usual shape for a shadow box is square or rectangular.
  2. Cut the wood to form the shadow box. When cutting the wood, keep the following in mind:
    • Use the measurements for the height and width as decided in the first step.
    • For the edges, make them deep. They should be at least 5cm/2 inches deep, and perhaps more, depending on what you're adding to the shadow box display.

Assembling the Shadow Box

  1. Attach the long edges to the short edges. Nail in place where the pieces of wood join, in either a square or rectangle shape.
  2. Sand off any rough edges.
  3. Cut the backing wood. Use thin wood, such as plywood, for this part of the shadow box.
    • Measure the back of the shadow box by assembling the wood pieces together in the square or rectangle shape and placing the backing piece behind this.
    • Mark the size and then cut to fit. Use a hand or electric saw, whichever you're most comfortable with.
  4. Attach the backing. This can be glued or nailed into place, whatever works best for the wood used (nailing might split thin wood while wood glue will hold it snugly).

Preparing the Shadow Box Inner Background Piece

  1. Measure the attached inner background piece from the frame/inner side of the shadow box. This background piece will be slightly smaller than the non-frame side or wood backing. Use this measurement to cut out a piece of thick cardboard. The type of cardboard found on fruit or grocery boxes is best, as it has cushioning.
    • You could also use foam sheeting for this backing.
  2. Cover the background cardboard with suitable decorative paper. Glue it to the cardboard inner backing piece; it helps to overlap the cardboard to the other side just slightly but do this without adding bulk––avoid overlapping folds.
    • You might prefer covering with fabric, especially where you're making a miniature house or a themed craft item from the box.
  3. Add any elements that make up the shadow box frame (if necessary). If may be easier to add some decorative elements to the background piece before gluing it into the box. However, you'll need to judge this according to what it is you're adding, as you don't want to press down on anything fragile and squash or break it while gluing the cardboard background into the box.
    • Allow the glue to dry before moving.
  4. Glue this inner background piece to the wooden frame backing.
  5. Add final touches or arrange the entire display as fits the objects you're using. Done! The shadow box is now ready for display.

Tips

  • The shadow box wood can be painted decoratively or all one color, as preferred.
  • Perspex or glass fronts can be added to keep dust off the shadow box contents. If you don't have the right tools to cut perspex to size, ask the hardware store salesperson to arrange this for you. If you attach it with hinges and a door clasp, it can be opened for changing the backing as needed. Glass should be cut and hinged by an expert unless you are already knowledgeable as to what to do.
  • A quick way to make a shadow box is to turn an existing wooden box of the right size into one. Simply add a backing with the items already attached to it and glue to the back (originally base) of the box. Add a hanger if hanging, or leave as it is for shelf display. Done!

Things You'll Need

  • Wood, light pine or similar wood (this is a good opportunity to use up scrap pieces if they're the right size)
  • Backing wood, such as plywood or a flat off-cut from a repurposed wooden box or similar
  • Measuring tape/ruler
  • Marker/pencil
  • Wood cutting tools (hand or electric)
  • Small nails
  • Hammer
  • Saw for cutting backing wood
  • Cardboard or foam for inner background piece
  • Paper to cover inner background cardboard (or fabric)
  • Glue - craft and wood types
  • Shadow box decorations

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