Knitting and Sewing
|
|
What is Shadow Box Framing?
   
|
Pretend Play And Dress Up Encourages Imaginative Play
A childs imagination is something to be encouraged and treasured. Young children learn many skills through imagination, from independent play, interactive play, language and cognitive .....
A childs imagination is something to be encouraged and treasured. Young children learn many skills through imagination, from independent play, interactive play, language and cognitive .....
Displaying memorabilia in a frame enjoys tremendous popularity.
Sport objects, collectors plates, medals and clothing pieces are
just a sample of the huge number of objects regularly displayed.
Retail stores abound with examples of completed shadow boxes
which usually command high prices due to the originality of the
display.
Finding frames for artwork and photos is easy, with standard
sizes available everywhere. Shadow box frames are a different
story. Many require odd shapes, and the depth necessary may be
anything from a fraction of an inch to several inches. Some of
the larger Art supply outlets and Craft stores carry a limited
supply of shadow box frames. Custom frame shops can design one
to your requirements, but the cost can easily run to several
hundred dollars for larger frames.
Shadow box frames can be divided into 3 categories (B)1. Shallow
frames, ranging up to 1/2 inch or so.
These can often use "off the shelf" frames. Objects such as
coins, metals, ribbons etc. usually do not require more than 3/8
to 1/2 inch of depth, and many normal frames will accommodate
this. Some frames also come with a "double" rabbet and are
usually for oil paintings. These can allow up to 1 1/2 inches of
depth. Standards size "off the shelf" frames are relatively
inexpensive.
2. True shadow box (solid wood) frames.
These will allow depths of 4 inches or more, depending on the
design. A rabbet is usually put on the bottom of the frame for
installation of the back. Shadow box frames take a lot of high
quality wood, are difficult to obtain, and generally quite
expensive. The inner sides and back usually need to be decorated
with a covering material, often matboard or similar materials.
3. Display boxes which fit into "off the shelf" frames.
Display boxes are made to fit into the rabbet of a normal frame.
They normally come pre-lined with mat or paper materials and you
can add your own lining if required. If used with a true Shadow
box frame, the steps of decorating the sides and back are
eliminate, and disassembly is easy. The advantage is that a very
nice frame can be turned into a shadow box of any depth quite
inexpensively. The back of the display box will jut out from the
back of the frame used, so a wide frame is desireable. Display
boxes are normally manufactured for specific purposes, and thus
are difficult to obtain.
Lining the Shadow box frame 1. If mats are to be used,
the sides of the frame may not be seen. Also, the glass and mats
can be held in by using framing points. Thus no work is required
on the sides.
2. If mats are not used, the sides should be lined first with
foamcore, and then with matboard or some other decorative
material. (Wall paper, colored paper etc.) The top edge of the
foamcore will press against the glass and hold it in place.
Double sided tape or glue will hold the foamcore and lining in
place. Be sure the foamcore and lining is not thicker than the
width of the rabbet, or it will be seen from the front of the
frame.
3. The rear of the box requires a material less than 1/4 inch
deep, or the width of the rabbet at the bottom of the frame.
Thin plywood or a similar material is fine, but 3/16" foamcore
is one of the better materials. It is very smooth, and easy to
attach to a lining. Use matboard or a similar material to line
the back and attach it with double sided tape or glue.
Using window mats with shadow boxes Any shadow box can be
used with or without a single or double mat. If mats are used,
any number of openings can be placed to effectively display
several objects. The mats can even be placed at different levels
to add to the "3D" effect. If mats are used, the sides of the
frames do not usually need to be decorated as they are not seen.
The type and color of mats should match the color of the backing
board.
Attaching objects within a Shadow box How to attach the
object to the box deserves careful consideration. If the object
has little value in itself, and will probably never be removed,
Civil War Uniforms: Keep Your Jean Cloth From Unraveling
AHHHH! How to keep jean cloth from unraveling?
How authentic do you want to be? Can you zigzag your jean cloth, so it does not unravel because just by .....
the job is easier. Paper and other flat objects can use manyAHHHH! How to keep jean cloth from unraveling?
How authentic do you want to be? Can you zigzag your jean cloth, so it does not unravel because just by .....
glues. Heavier objects can use epoxy. Bathtub caulking compounds
are great in that you can build up a fraction of an inch of
compound to create a large gluing area. A long drying period is
necessary but the result is excellent.
Sewing objects to the backing is excellent for any type of
clothing. Baseballs can be sewed from the stitching through the
backing board. Sewing allows the object to be removed later
without damage. Velcro can be attached to softer articles and
attached to the backing. Little if any damage is done to the
article when removed. Glues that can be dissolved with chemicals
can be used, but be very careful with this one.
Some imagination can work wonders. Foamcore can be cut out to
the shape of the object, and the object imbedded to stop it from
moving. This is time consuming and tricky, but the object
remains in a pristine condition.
There are literally hundreds of ways to attach objects, and many
books and articles written about them. Art Supply stores, Craft
retailers and libraries are be a good source of information.
Foamcore is an excellent product as an aid to attach objects.
The back of plates have a rim which makes them difficult to
glue. A 3 x 3" piece of formcore can be attached to the back of
the plate with caulking compound and then caulked to the back of
the box in order to give a larger gluing area. You can also add
to the "3D" effect of the display by using several layers of
foamcore.
Summary Shadow box frames can take those treasured
articles out of a drawer or box and put them on a wall to be
admired every day. Customized frames, both in size and depth,
can be made to frame anything from a baby's soother to a full
size baseball bat, complete with the uniform. For small
businesses, customized displays can be very reasonably priced
when purchased in bulk, and high markups are attainable. Craft
stores giving classes can make make a very high quality and fun
project at a reasonable cost. Please click on some of the
examples shown to give a larger view of the frame, and a full
explanation of how the display was constructed.
FREE Reprint Rights You may publish this article in your e-zine
or on your Web site as long as the following bio/blurb and links
are included at the end of the article:
See article with images here:
http://www.matshop.net/shadow_boxes.html
MatShop is a Division of Island Art Publishers, (
www.islandart.com ). Island Art markets art cards and other
products throughout the United States and Canada using the exact
products we recommend to our MatShop customers.
In the USA? Visit: www.matshop.com
In Canada? Visit: www.matshop.ca
toll-free tel:1-800-663-7501
toll-free fax:1-800-663-7563
About the author:
MatShop has been supplying mat & framing supplies to photo
retailers for 10 years & through the WEB for six. Its customers
are artists, photographers, crafters & others who require volume
purchases of these products. The purpose of the MatShop.com page
is to supply information on all products & to suggest how mats &
frames can benefit the specific needs of its customers.
In USA: www.matshop.com In Canada: www.matshop.ca 1-800-663-7501