I measured and cut 2 long boards and 2 short boards to fit into the “lip” of the picture frame. The short boards do not measure the height of the frame because you need to subtract the width of the wood. (3/4”)
This picture shows how the board sits on the lip. It is one of the long boards that goes all the way to the edge. The shorter boards then go “inside” the longer boards.
This shows how the short board does not go all the way to the edge.
I used wood glue and nails to build my box.
I clamped the boards inside the frame while I used the nail gun to fasten the boards together.
At this point the box is being built but not attached to the frame yet.
I didn’t have any luan or bead board so I used some scrap cedar tongue and groove pieces that my sister had given me. The pieces were short, so there was very little waste.
Just enough boards, but they need to be trimmed up.
I trimmed them to fit. I also ripped the tongue off of one board and the groove off of another. I used these two boards for the far left and far right boards. While looking at my shadow box from the front, I wanted the “seams” to look uniform. In other words, had I only ripped one of the boards, say on the far left … that last board would have been very narrow in width.
Dry fit to make sure everything is looking okay and fitting okay.
Time for the middle shelf. Measure twice, cut once? Yep I did that. However when I went to the saw I was thinking something like 22 1/2. Because I was thinking ONE half, I ended up cutting it 21 1/2. It’s difficult to explain how my brain works. As soon as I put it in the box, I knew exactly “why” I measured wrong. I have a little number ocd problem, where I repeat numbers in my head. So I knew I had the right measurement. Scary, huh? You didn’t know I had this ocd problem? It revolves all around numbers. I count a lot of things, window panes, door panels, etc. Oh yeah, and I like them all to be even numbers. I don’t like when I count and the final number is an odd number. Too much information? yeah, probably!
Cut another board, fit perfectly this time. It is a board I had practiced routing (is that a word?) Notice the round over edge.
At this point the box is still not attached to the frame.
I used some painter’s caulk to fill in the cracks at the corners of the frame.
I painted the two pieces separately. I actually used Rustoleum Heirloom white on both pieces. I spray painted the frame and brushed the paint on the box. (after painting 2 coats of primer on the box)
Apparently I didn’t take any pictures after I painted it and attached the frame to the box. To attach the frame to the box, I used Gorilla glue and my nail gun. The frame needs to be secure on the box, however the weight will actually be on the box itself, not the frame.
After glazing. I’m not happy with the finished product. It was very difficult to wipe the glaze going north and south on the tongue and groove without messing up the east and west direction on the shelf. It got really hot the day I made this, and the heat continues. I will not be making any changes to this shadow box any time soon. When I do change it up, I will show you. This post is mostly for the tutorial of building the shadow box, it is NOT a painting tutorial. 🙂
gail
see more picture frame ideas here:
Extra Large Picture Frame Cork Board
Display Vacation Photos and Keepsakes from the beach in a Rustic Shadow Box
Easy Shadow Box
Simple Scrabble Valentine
rolling pin display
Old Door : Project Ideas for Repurposed Doors
Unique Chalkboard Stand
DIY Chevron Bulletin Board from My Personal Accent
Repurposed Vintage Coffee Pot Lamp
Picket Fence Garden Shelf
Old Golf Clubs Never Die, They Just Keep Making Birdies
door project ideas
Finish Max painted glass bottles and more
Gutter Planter for Pergola or Arbor
DIY vinyl record clock
How to Make a Repurposed Books Lamp in 10 Easy Steps!
Chandelier to romantic candelabra
Rope Wrapped Chandelier
Coat rack memo board
Outdoor Party Decorations by Krylon ColorMaster
Divided Pedestal Serving Tray
repurposed chandelier candelabra
Easy Picture Frame Makeovers
Craft Show Display and MORE!
I knew exactly what you were talking about with ripping the tongue off one side and the groove off the other so that the front looked perfect! I’m not a perfectionist but it drives me batty when things aren’t ‘even’, lol!
your a counter too like me and i love even numbers also. so weird we are but good
SEE!? TOLD you I was scrolling through old posts (lol). I have SO MANY of your projects bookmarked Gail, and this is another one. This shadow box frame is FABULOUS. I just hope I live long enough to DO all the projects from “Gail’s files!” Thanks so VERY much for the tutorials you post…you make everything sound so DO-able! You’re a GEM…and my very favourite “go-to” blog!
Was, that was a great tutorial, what a great idea!!
Carol
Thanks so much for stopping by and introducing yourself, Gail! It led me to your ADORABLE blog and all your creative and fabulous ideas! I’m loving this shadow box, and can’t wait to find the perfect frame to make one for myself! New follower 🙂
thank you so much for posting this! going to have to try it out when i get the right frame!
thank you so much for posting this! going to have to try it out when i get the right frame!
Great tutorial Gail! I can see how glazing that would have been a major pain! The overall project turned out awesome!
And on the teabag side of th is post. I use my teabags for many of those purposes. My brother is a wielder and way back when we shared an apartment together. He would come home and his eyes were so red and swollen. I told him to lay down and applied cool tea bags to his eyes and he does this now almost nightly even after 20 years.
Thanks Gail for the tutorial on how to make the shadow boxes. I think it turned out great! I am going to have to try this one of these days. Can’t wait to see what the finished product looks like. You do great work! Thanks for sharing and have a great day! ~ Laura
Love the shadow box and the tutorial. Honestly, I can see the problem with trying to glaze that baby — too many directions and not a lot of room to work. That must have been tricky. Love the tutorial and I think I might actually be able to replicate this one! ‘o)
Very cool idea! Thanks for sharing. We really do live and learn when it comes to techniques, don’t we!!
XO
Lenore
This is such a great idea! I love how you transformed that frame into a shadowbox! It turned out SO good. 🙂
Have a wonderful day!!
Thanks so much for posting that Gail… I am definitely making one of them… I am on the lookout for a frame… hmmm, Rose had a ton of them… I see another trip in my future… lol.
Have a great day and thanks for the tips for tea bags… I always use a warm tea bag on a sore that won’t heal… within minutes it is already showing signs of healing.
Hugs, Deb
That is a great tutorial. Very clear pictures that anyone should be able to easily follow.
Looks great, I can smell the cedar from here!
You never cease to amaze me! Your shadow box is awesome. I had a laugh at the tea bag uses…it brought back memories of me as a kid, I suffered alot with allergies and my grandmother would make me sit with a damp tea bag on my allergy eyes. It did feel nice…love the fingernail repair idea, definately gonna try that one! Thanks for sharing. ~Stacey