Shadowbox Picture Frame

What’s up Sunday Projecteers!

Before we moved to Seattle, dAVE’s parents gave us a set of two shadowbox picture frames for our new place. It was super nice of them, and of course being who I am, thought I would turn them into a fun project. So, I did! It took a little bit to think of something that would be easy enough, but also awesome enough to put up in the house. What the stroke of genius happened to be was on dAVE’s birthday when he got this super cool Instax mini camera. It is just like the old days of Polaroid, but with small fun pics. Once we started using the camera, I thought of the best idea for the shadowbox.  You too, can create a fun shadowbox picture frame with this brief tutorial, or use the shadow box to keep fun little trinkets, notes, etc. The ideas are endless!

For this Sunday Project you will need:

• Shadowbox picture frame (these can be found at craft stores, Target, frame stores, just about anywhere)
• craft paint
• craft paper to cover your space
• paintbrushes
• elastic string
• small screw eyes
• tape
• pictures, drawings, toys, anything you want to put in the shadowbox

The shadowbox that was given to us was a dark maple color to start, and we have chosen a black frame theme in the house to go with our bedding and such. So, I chose to paint the frame black to match the rest of the house. I disassembled the frame until it was just the frame and the glass (I would have removed it but it was in there pretty good.) 

This is before I painted it. Make sure you cover your space and take your time when painting. Also helps to have paper towels on hand for when you smudge a bit on the glass like I did! Of course, let the frame dry completely before moving on. This will also help if you need to paint a second coat. I also chose to paint the backing of the frame that covers it. It was brown before, but I wanted a solid black background. You can choose to paint your however you want, if at all.

If you are choosing to hang pictures inside the box, this is when you will need the screw eyes. 

Screw them into place on the inside of the frame like below. If you do not have the convenience of a padding built within your shadow box, lightly hammer the screw eyes in. 

When complete, they should look like this right into front of your  shadowbox window panes.

The next step is to cut your elastic string (this is most commonly found in a beading section or jewelry making section of the art store) to the right length. I eyeballed what I thought my length would be, then cut a piece and tested it among the panes. I then made sure to cut the same length another three times. In order for the photos to hang, you can punch a hole, or like I did, tape the string to the back. For me, my photos cannot be hole punched, so I taped the back like so…

Now you are ready to tie the string to the eye and see your pictures hang! This is probably the trickiest of the tasks. Carefully tie the string and test the length of hang of the picture. This may take several tries to get it just how you want it. This will also allow you to test, if the picture will hang properly or not. If it is not tied right the picture will want to turn backwards and you will only see the back of it when the frame is closed and up! You don’t want that! 

Once all of your pictures or other objects are hanging close the frame and check out your craftiness! Be sure everything is hanging how you want it, and then hang it! Here is mine before being hung up…

Pardon me for getting in the shot!

And here it is on the wall…

Hooray! You are finished. This was a great project and a fun way to display all kinds of treasures. I also like the endless feeling the shadow box gives and the idea that those photos, just might be defying gravity! You can put all kinds of things into a shadow box, and maybe for my next one I might use paper flowers. I would love to see all the cool shadow boxes you create. Also, let me know how the project worked for you, or didn’t??

Until then, Happy Thanksgiving Projecteers and Happy Sunday Projecting!

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