How to Make Nautical Shadow Boxes
- 1). Place the lid from the wooden box onto the acrylic sheet, lining up one of the corners. Score lightly around the edge. Using the steel rule as a guide, make deeper cuts along the scored lines with the box cutter.
- 2). Clamp the sheet to a table with a vise, positioning the cut along the table edge, and snap along the cut. Sand the edges smooth.
- 3). Bore holes for the eyelet screws into the back of the box, near the top. Run picture wire between the eyelets, leaving enough wire so you have a little slack and an extra inch or two. Cut the wire.
- 4). Fold the ends of the wire back onto the main length of wire, twisting firmly to hold them in place.
- 5). Paint the outside of the box with black or dark brown acrylic paint and allow it to dry.
- 6). Mix a light blue acrylic paint by pouring white acrylic into a cup and adding in very small dabs of blue until you like the color. Mix well. Cut lengths of balsa wood and attach them with wood glue before painting the inside of the box pale blue if you want shelves or sections in the box. Allow it to dry completely.
- 7). Arrange nautical items inside the box. Place larger items, such as postcards, in back and smaller ones in front. Pin or glue them in place once you are happy with the arrangement.
- 8). Slip the glass or acrylic lid onto the box. Drop a little craft glue around the edges or use pins if the lid is loose to make sure it doesn't slide off when you hang up the shadow box.
