Display It: Day 3, Project Go

PREPARE and POPULATE

Prepare

Now that you have a strong concept for a shadow box, and you have started looking around for goodies to populate it is time to create your foundation. If you are not interested in changing the starting look of your display box then you can move right along to populate. If you want to alter the foundation of your box, now is the time.

A few basic altering suggestions are

• cover with paper
• paint
• distress

This is what I did for my two projects using the Adorn It divided shadow box.

Our Family

Remove the shelves

Painted the box a Fresh Foliage Folk Art green

Sanded the edges of the box and a little bit of the sides using emery boards

Applied a wood walnut stain to distress and age the box

Box done-I suggest using a spray sealer to add a shine and protect the finish

Time to cover the shelves. I used book paper making sure the direction of the paper matched the direction the shelves were going to go

Now I am done with the foundation for this box

Christmas Traditions

I wanted to have one large open space so I cut down two of the shelves using a jigsaw-

This is how it looks with the two shelves cut down.

Next I painted everything white, shelves and box included.

Since this was for Christmas I wanted to add silver to the box, but not cover it completely in silver so following a current home decor trend I translated it into the box.

Just on the lip of the box I applied a product called RubnBuff, Silver Leaf following the directions.

I wanted the back of the box to be silver also. To acheive the look I wanted I started with piece of wrinkled kraft wrapping paper and painted it as described below.

Steps

1. completely cover wrinkled paper in white paint, do as many coats as needed
2. paint a layer of silver acrylic paint
3. following the package directions apply RubnBuff to backgroundor other silver product
4. add a few drops of pumice stone Distress Ink, rub around with dry cloth
5. keep applying until you achieve the desired look, sand lightly
6. adhere to back of box using glue stick or favorite adhesive

All the shelves are in and the foundation is complete!

(Wow that is a lot of photos and info, if you need a quick laugh go here and here)

Populate

Next it is time to populate the box with objects. Looking at the items you have gathered for display divide them into three groups, three layers (remember, you can do whatever you want, this is just my suggestion)

 
1. Flat layer such as paper, stickers, etc.

 
2. Important objects- these are the ones that tell the story, communicate your theme

 
3. Embellishments/filler

Start Layering:

I have noticed that displays seem to be built in layers and that is how I went about designing my box displays. Start with the flat layer. Trim down the paper to fit into the cubbies. Place the flat layers in the cubbies and move them around until you like how it looks.

Once you are satisfied adhere the flat layer.

Keep in mind you will be adding dimensional objects on top, if you know which object you want in a cubbie then make sure the flat layer will complement it.

Begin positioning (avoid adhering until you are find with the placement) the most important objects layer (similar to floral arranging) in the cubbies, move around until you like it. Consider grouping smaller objects together.

If you want to hang any of the objects affix a hook or other hanging mechanism and position object to your liking.

Take a step back and look at your project, do you need to adjust any of the important objects? Make sure you are varying the heighth of the objects and placement for maximum visual interest.

Walk away from your project for awhile, when you come back you will have fresh eyes to start the filler layer.

Day 3 Assignment:

• Prepare display box
• Divide trinkets into three layers, flat, important objects, and filler
• Position and adhere flat layer
• Position important objects layer (do not adhere)

Thanks for spending time with me. What projects are you excited about?

PS- don't think I forgot to show you images for my library project, oh no, I am holding off until my last day and I must tell you it is adorable!!