How to Create a Shadowbox

If you're looking for a way to show off treasured keepsakes, from your grandmother's antique opera glasses to that mini Eiffel Tower you brought back from Paris, shadowboxes offer the perfect solution.

A shadowbox is a glass-front framed box that hangs on the wall like a picture frame. The box's deeper dimensions let you display mementos while keeping them safe from moisture, dust and curious hands. It's one of the best ways to display and protect your treasures, especially multi-dimensional pieces that don't fit in frames or scrapbooks.

To create a shadowbox, first decide which keepsakes to include. Almost anything is a potential shadowbox theme: a special vacation, a new baby, a wedding, a group of collectibles, family heirlooms, a favorite hobby, or even an historical era. The most important thing is that the objects, pictures and other memorabilia you select tell a special story or share a particular moment.

Next, decide on a background lining. Some shadowboxes, including Exposures' Bare Essentials Shadowbox, Museum Display Shadowbox and Traditional Frame Case, already have felt, linen or velveteen linings. They're ready to go as-is, or you can add your own fabric remnants or decorative paper over the lining for a creative touch.

Once you've decided on a background, experiment with arranging your selected keepsakes in different ways. To create a three-dimensional effect, layer items on top of each other or place them on pieces of fabric-covered foam for depth. When you've settled on a pleasing final arrangement, attach your keepsakes to the lining with Velcro buttons. They're safer for delicate memorabilia than glue or pushpins, and give you flexibility to rearrange your layout later.

As a finishing touch, decorate your display with various embellishments like ribbon, bits of fabric or paper, beads and other creative touches.

Shadowboxes aren't limited to your own memorabilia-they also make treasured one-of-a-kind gift idea for new parents, travelers, collectors, newlyweds and others.

Need inspiration? Here are some shadowbox theme and content ideas:

• Christmas Past - Include special family heirloom ornaments, saved cards and old Christmas photos.
• Graduation Time - Display athletic letter, medals, awards, graduation tassel and photos.
• Family Tree - Include family keepsakes from ancestors such as gloves, costume jewelry, war medals, pocket watches and photos.
• Collectibles - Include any type of collection, like spoons, pins, shot glasses, wine corks or matchbooks.
• Baubles and Beads - Show off ornate jewelry when not being worn.
• I Do - Display wedding invitation, dried flower, napkin, garter and photos.
• A New Addition- Arrange baby shoes, birth announcement and photos.
• Vacation - Include ticket stubs, small souvenirs, postcards, matchbooks, napkins and photos.
• Special Day Out - Display items from a memorable day at the carnival, zoo or other special outing, including ticket stubs, souvenirs and photos.
• Gone Fishing - Arrange lures, hooks, ruler and photos.
• Ski Bum - Include lift tickets, snow report, stickers and photos.
• On the Big Screen - Display ticket stubs, action figures and promotional photos from a favorite movie, like Star Wars
• History Buff - Display items from a favorite historical period, such as the Victorian era or World War II