Picture Frame Shadow Boxes
This project really is deceiving in that it is much easier to construct than would appear at first glance. Start with a purchased picture frame, add a few pieces of wood, some fancy fabric and hardware store hinges and you can have a rather grand display case under glass for some special items you want to display. No special carpentry talents are needed.
Materials:
picture frame - The larger and fancier the frame the grander the shadow box will be. Often these can be a bit costly so it is a good idea to look for frame sales. Art supply stores are a good source as are yard sales and estate sales.
paint or stain
1/4" thick plywood size of frame
five lengths of 3-1/2" x 24" x 1/4" poplar strips - The wood strips are available at home improvement stores. Craft stores and art supply stores often carry bass wood strips. Do not use balsa strips however as they are too lightweight.
wood glue
3/8" nails
brocade or other fabric to cover plywood back
spray adhesive
small hinges
small metal fastener
hanger
any desired trim - optional
Steps:
1. Remove glass from frame. Measure outside measurements of frame. Cut two lengths of the wood to the length of the frame. These will be the side edges of the shadow box. Cut the top and bottom pieces the width of the frame minus the thickness of the side pieces. If they are 1/4 inch thick the pieces would be cut 1/2 inch shorter. For a shelf, cut another length to this same measurement.
2. Place the four pieces of wood together to form a rectangle placing the top and bottom pieces inside of the two side pieces (figure A). Glue to hold and secure further with two or three of the small nails along each joining edge.
3. Paint or stain as desired. Also paint or stain the shelf length to match. Insert in frame and secure with glue and nails (figure B). The shadow box featured was spray painted gold to match the front of the frame.
4. Cut plywood piece the same size as the outside measurements of the frame. Paint one side to match the box. Spray the other side with adhesive and apply selected fabric cut to fit. Glue and nail to the back of the box (figure C).
5. Attach the box to the back of the frame with two small hinges along one side edge (figure D). Attach fastener along the other edge. Return glass to frame. Add any desired trim around the outside of the box and add a hanger to the back.
The second shadow box featured was much smaller - only 8" x 10" (figure E). In this case the construction of the basic box was the same however the measurements taken were from the inside edge of the frame due to a recess in the back of the frame. The completed box with fabric and shelf was attached to an indentation on the back of the frame. It was every bit as grand as the larger frame but smaller. In this case the box and shelf were painted black instead of gold.
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