Shadow Box For Memories: DIY Display Case for Mementos

Don’t shove those precious mementos into a box; make a shadow box for memories with our easy-to-follow instructions! I made this shadow box display case for our home and thought I would share the results with y’all. It turned out perfect!

How To Make A Shadow Box For Memories

So, for me, memories should not be tucked away into boxes in the attic. I love to see these things displayed around my home. It brings that touch of nostalgia to a room that you just can’t get any other way. The best way to display those? A shadow box display case!

Supplies Needed To Display Mementos

• Shadow box (I love unfinished ones that come in a variety of sizes.)
• Stain (I used this Americana Color Stain in white.)
• Craft paint
• Brushes
• Rag
• Mementos
• Glue Dots

Step 1: Gather Up Your Mementos

I wanted to use this project to display my father-in-law’s horse show ribbons that he won throughout the years. We have so many of these, so I chose a few for this project.

Since these are long, I used the 9.625×16 shadow box. Be sure to think of the size of your items when ordering a box. These had been in a drawer for so long, and they were really wrinkled. I used an iron and a damp pressing cloth to get everything looking as good as possible.

Step 2: Remove The Back Of The Shadow Box & Paint It

Remove the back from your shadow box and paint it. I used a dark charcoal color, but you can use any color that you wish. Then set it aside to dry.

Step 3: Glue Down Mementos

Once dry, you will want to secure your mementos to the back. I used Glue Dots as they hold strong but are also safe for projects like these.

Step 4: Stain Outside Of Shadow Box

You also want to finish the shadow box itself. I used a white stain on my project. Just brush on the stain, allow to sit for a few minutes, then wipe away with a rag.

I love stain for projects like these, as you don’t have to mask off your glass. Just wipe the product away if you get any on the glass surface. Allow everything to dry completely.

Step 5: Assemble Shadow Box

Once your shadow box is dry, assemble it back together, and you are ready to hang it up!

You can use this same technique to display just about anything in your home. Think about those gorgeous items that have long been shoved in drawers and boxes. Don’t they deserve a special place in your home? And what can be more special than decorating with things that bring back such good memories?

I love how this shadow box display case turned out, and I can’t wait to make another. Will you be adding one to your home? I think you will love the results!

Tips and Tricks for Shadow Box

Now that you’ve seen this fun shadow box for memories, are you ready to make your own? Here are a few tips and tricks to ensure your project goes as smoothly as possible!

• Skip The Craft Paint – If you don’t want to use craft paint for the back of your shadow box, you can use a piece of scrapbook paper instead! To do that, cut out a piece of scrapbook paper that fits the size of the back of your shadow box and glue it into place.
• Take Time To Lay Out Mementos – Before you glue down your mementos, take time to play around with the layout to get the look that you like!
• Take A Picture of Your Memento Layout – Before you move your mementos around to glue them into place, take a photo of the layout with your phone! By doing this, you can easily see where to place all your mementos when you are gluing them into place.
• Display All Your Mementos – If you are wondering what mementos to display in your shadow box, below are a few ideas!
  • Travel Mementos
  • Wedding Mementos
  • Baby Mementos
  • Sport Mementos
  • Pet Mementos
  • Military Items
  • Groups of items like:
    • Tickets
    • Pins
    • Shells

5 More Shadow Box Crafts

Do you love this shadow box for memories, and are looking for more shadow box crafts? Then check out the projects below!

• Beach Themed Shadowbox Art
• Ticket Memory Box
• Wedding Keepsakes in Shadowboxes
• Driftwood Shadow Box Art
• Paper Rosette Shadowbox