Background & Preparation
Shadow boxes offer a unique, dimensional alternative for showcasing photos and special items. A friend, your family or even the season can inspire your display and provide you with a treasuerd piece for your home décor. Before you start your recycled crafts project you’ll want to think about its purpose and the pieces you want to include inside the shadow box:

• Come up with a theme and have your friends do the same: Where will it be displayed? Who is it for? Will it fit the theme of a specific room or will it be tailored to the items inside? You can even create winter holiday or seasonally-inspired shadowboxes to accent your home décor.
• Collect materials from around your home, and have friends do the same. You’ll use these pieces as the background for the box and items to fill it with. Photos, newspaper, wallpaper, pages from books, post cards, and small mementoes or keepsakes are just a few examples.

Supplies
While the drawer, photos and meaningful items will likely be found around your home, you may need to visit your local craft or hardware store to find other supplies you will need. Take our Shadowbox Materials List with you on your shopping trip and you won’t miss a thing!

Shadow Box Instructions

Step 1: Set Up the Work Area
Spread out a large, thick drop cloth in the area where you will be working. If you plan to paint or stain your drawer in a new colour, make sure the area you choose is well ventilated. Set the tools and materials you’ll need nearby.

Step 2: Prep the Drawer
Start by removing any knobs or hardware from the drawer. If your drawer is painted and you’d like to give it a brand new coat, you’ll need to soften the existing paint with a chemical stripper so it can easily be sanded away. Once the stripper has done its work (about 10 minutes) you’ll want to clean the surface and begin sanding with fine grit sandpaper or a sanding block. Just make sure to sand along the wood grain.

For more tips on applying chemical stripper, sanding and preparing wood surfaces, read Spruce Up Your Old Wood and Diamonds in the Rough.

Step 3: Paint & Decorate the Drawer
Make sure your drawer surfaces are free from sanding dust before applying paint or stain. You can use a water-based stain, paint or even spray paint made for use on wood to give your drawer a refreshed exterior.

Paint the outside of your drawer one solid colour that will complement your home décor or the items you plan to put inside. You can also use a variety of colours for a more vibrant look. Add your own custom detail by using a stenciling or painting technique if you desire. Once your paint has been applied and dried, add a clear topcoat to seal and protect the paint.

If you like the look of the wood grain inside of the box or plan on covering it up, you can leave the interior unpainted. If you choose to paint the inside you’ll want to make sure it’s completely dry before filling it with your items.

Finish prepping your drawer by replacing the current knob or hardware with a new decorative knob or shine the existing knob using steel wool. If you plan to hang your shadowbox on a wall, decide which side will be the top and attach hanging hardware to the back of the drawer. Hanging hardware can usually be attached with wood glue or small wood screws.

Step 4: Add Dimension (Optional)
This is an optional step for adding even more dimension to your display. After prepping and painting your drawer, simply use small wood scraps to create little shelves inside. Adhere the wood to the inside of the drawer using wood glue. Before clamping down the shelf to dry, use a small level to make sure it’s straight. These shelves can be used to hold small figurines or other mementoes inside the box.

Step 5: Design Your Display
Now it’s time to fill your shadow box with the items you collected. Start by choosing your background paper and cut it to size with scissors. Add a thin layer of decoupage glue to the back of the drawer and lay your background on top, smoothing out any ridges or bubbles.

Next, begin arranging photos, embellishments and mementoes inside the box. Use glue, double-sided tape or decorative pins and tacks to attach your items once you’re satisfied with the placement. What you use to attach your items is up to you, depending on how permanent you want it to be.

Step 6: Find the Perfect Spot
Put your handiwork on display in your home—place your finished shadow box:

• Place it on a shelf or mantle.
• Stand it on a side table or entry table.
• Hang it in the family room or on entryway wall.

Clean Up:
Trap and lock your sanding dust and debris with Swiffer ^® 360° Dusters. The thousands of fluffy fibres and all-around design traps up to 2x the dust that feather dusters do, for virtually dust-free surfaces after your crafting time is done.