How to Make a Beach Shadowbox

A shadowbox is an excellent way to preserve items, photos and memories from a romantic or family beach vacation. They are also ideal to highlight an ocean, seashell or beach theme room. Whether using seashells and items collected during a memorable holiday or purchased in a craft store, a shadowbox is an attractive accent for a home, or sentimental gift for someone special.

Things You'll Need

  • Shadowbox frame
  • Scrapbook paper
  • Ruler
  • Scissors
  • White craft glue
  • Sand
  • Pictures
  • Double-sided tape
  • Clear nail polish or clear gloss craft paint
  • Seashells, sand dollars or other beach mementos
  • Glue stick
  • Glue gun
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Instructions

    • 1

      Open the shadowbox, by removing the backing and the glass. The shadowbox can be made with or without the glass in place. If wanting the shadowbox protected by the glass, ensure that the height of the items to be placed on the background will not prevent the use of the glass with the completed shadowbox.

    • 2

      Determine whether or not to use the original background that came with the shadowbox. If using patterned scrapbook paper, measure and cut the paper to the correct size and use double-sided tape or white craft glue to attach the paper to the shadowbox background.

    • 3

      Squeeze out a pattern of white craft glue onto the background of the shadowbox. The design can be a wave pattern, filigree shapes, diagonal, zigzag or any other design the creator wants to use. Do not use hot glue as it sets too quickly.

    • 4

      Sprinkle the sand all over the glue design on the background; allowing it to dry completely, usually in a few hours. Turn the background over and shake off the excess sand that has not adhered to the glue. White sand is particularly impressive on a basic black background.

    • 5

      Lay out the pictures chosen for use on top of the shadowbox background. Experiment with the placement of the pictures by turning or overlapping them, trimming them if necessary. Once satisfied with the positioning of the pictures, use double-sided tape or white craft glue to secure the pictures to the background.

    • 6

      Paint all shells with a coat of clear nail polish or clear gloss craft paint. This adds shine and enhances the colors of the shells.

    • 7

      Put shells, coral, sand dollars or other beach mementos on the shadowbox background. Experiment with placement of the items by turning or overlapping them to best complement the pictures. Once positioned properly, pick the shells up, one item at a time, squeeze hot glue onto the back of it and put it back where it was.

    • 8

      Allow a few minutes for cooling of the hot glue and reassemble the shadowbox, including the glass, if desired. It is now ready to be hung, displayed on a frame stand or given as a gift.