Shadow Box Frames…What to do?

I have these two shadow box frames and I can't figure out what to do with them. Should I do something for Valentine's Day? Should I just do a simple finish and display family photos? They have been sitting on my desk for weeks now. Any thoughts, inspiration, ideas are greatly appreciated…..
  27 answers
  • These are too cute! Where did you find them? And the possibilities are endless! You could lay them flat and use them as small table top planters or organizers. You can add hooks inside each section to hang and display jewelry. You could paint the trim and modge podge old book pages to the back to spruce them up and then add pictures or small knick knacks. There's so many things you could do with these. I'd love to see the final project when you're done!:)
  • Unfinishedwoodco Unfinishedwoodco on Jan 16, 2014
    Thanks for your ideas Raechel. The shadow boxes were created by the company I work for. These are extra samples I was given. I have been so excited to use them but not sure which direction to take. You have given me some great ideas. I'll be sure to post the pictures when I am done!
  • Your idea of putting pictures would be a great twist on collage frames to hang along with other frames to give some real interest to the wall.
  • Cynthia E Cynthia E on Jan 16, 2014
    Those are gorgeous! As Raechel said the uses are endless-- I could envision the rounder 1 painted out or stained and in larger sections put 12, 3, 6, and 9 and maybe old gears (or even other types small clocks-pocket etc. in some of the smaller areas, make into a clock... Be sure and post pictures of whatever you do, can't wait to see! And could you post a link to your company on how to order and prices please!
  • Unfinishedwoodco Unfinishedwoodco on Jan 16, 2014
    Thanks! You all have given me so much to think about. Cynthia - Unfortunately, these won't be available for quite sometime but you can check out our other wood items at www.unfinishedwoodco.com!
    • Cynthia E Cynthia E on Jan 16, 2014
      @Anne @ creativelifeblog.com Going to check out and be sure and let us know when these are available :)
  • Leslie Peoples Leslie Peoples on Jan 17, 2014
    I love all the ideas given. You could also use scrap papers mod podged in the "cubbies." Here's a link to a Christmas shadow box that I think is great: http://twocrazycrafters.blogspot.com/2013/12/vintage-style-christmas-shadowbox.html
  • Karen Roth Karen Roth on Jan 17, 2014
    @Ann@creativelifeblog.com I just loves this shadow boxes and dearly wish I could afford some. If it were me, I would head over to Graphic45.com and get some of their free downloads and fix it up French Victorian like with pearls and lace and soft muted pastel ribbons and a cameo or two. I am so jealous I could cry *waaaaah*.I so want those! hehe
  • Victoria Maldonado Victoria Maldonado on Jan 17, 2014
    I think the jewery idea iis great!just add hooks for earrings and bracelets
  • Donna R Donna R on Jan 17, 2014
    All the ideas are great and these are beautifully shaped shadow boxes. You are so fortunate to have them! I like the idea of knick knacks or small parts. I could see them or at least one of them, on a coffee table with "finds" in it. I had a sectioned tray that I displayed nature stuff in. During the Fall, I had acorns from the yard, walnuts from my friend's backyard, pretty leaves from the church yard, different leaves from a maple tree outside of a restaurant, the first pinecones from our pine tree. Just stuff to pick up, look at and remember. In our son's room, I had another sectioned tray with things from his childhood. He's grown now and stays in the room with his wife when they visit. Baseball cards, pieces of Legos, Scout badges, a few pictures, tickets to events, etc. These look too feminine for a guy's room but could do the same in a girl's room. I think whatever you do, it will be a win win cause they are so pretty and you have such a variety of wonderful ideas from everyone!
  • Lisa Gallagher Lisa Gallagher on Jan 18, 2014
    What a great way to display a collection of some sort. My Valentine collects shells and pretty rocks while we are taking walks. They wold look great in these boxes...and sentimental too.
  • Colleen Colleen on Jan 18, 2014
    These are great shapes! Maybe staining with Milk paint,then insert some scrapbooking paper as backdrops and place family photos in sections, or even inspirational sayings. Place them in a hallway, small bathroom, mudroom. Let us know what you do.
  • Wilda Wilda on Jan 18, 2014
    throw them away!
  • Carrie Schmid Carrie Schmid on Jan 18, 2014
    When i first saw them, my first thought was serving trays. Something for every section, assortment of tea, sugar, teacups, spoons, etc. Good luck with your project
  • Barbara Ahern Barbara Ahern on Jan 18, 2014
    Love the shape of them! I collect Mickey Mouse, rabbits and hallmark miniature christmas ornaments so I have plenty of small things to display in those. If you take Wilda suggestions, please send them this way!!!!!
  • Karen Paradis Karen Paradis on Jan 18, 2014
    Decoupage the sections with vintage valentines and add hearts,flowers or jewels. Use whatever delights YOU!
  • Mrs. Woida Mrs. Woida on Jan 18, 2014
    I would turn the round one into a candle/serving plate or snack try. The 3 square shaped sections would be great to place pillar candles and use the other sections and fill with snack, etc. A coat of poly would make it snack ready and easy to wipe out. A cheese platter would be great!
  • Marge Marge on Jan 18, 2014
    If I had them, I would put my thimble collection in them. Then hang side by side on a wall in my sewing room. They are an unusual shape. Do you know the history behind them?
    • Unfinishedwoodco Unfinishedwoodco on Jan 20, 2014
      @Marge They were created by the company I work for, www.unfinishedwoodco.com. I ended up with some of the extra samples. There are so many great ideas here, I am more confused than when I first posted. I wish I had more than just two now!
  • Karol Karol on Jan 18, 2014
    These are beautiful. I only wish I could get my hands on even one of those. I think they would be great to use for a quilling project like different flowers in each or herbs maybe. whether use put it in kitchen or hall or it would be great anywhere ,.the sky is the limit and the subject matter is your choice.
  • Carol Carol on Jan 19, 2014
    I would copy the hole shapes and use it as a template for printer family photos in the background and small mementoes in front. Or make the photo 3D by gluing different parts of the photo to peices of poster board and fill each space.
  • Dolores DeLuise Dolores DeLuise on Jan 19, 2014
    it's hard to tell the size of these-- I would paint the inside black and gild (with paper not spray) the outside, extending over and including the part we see in the pic. Then I would put some treasures inside the compartments, such as a vial with soil from my family's country, a tiny decoupaged box of the goddess, a vial with holy water from Lourdes, a tiny portrait of my mother as a child, etc.
  • Yvonne Moore Yvonne Moore on Jan 19, 2014
    paint the back in a light color and the top edges in a darker color and put antiquing on the edges. then use acrylic or polyurethane over it. use to put small brick-a -brack in each space after placing on the wall. The 3D effect of real objects is much more good use of space than pictures.
  • Donna R Donna R on Jan 19, 2014
    Anne@Creativelifeblog, I think you could start a bidding war on these two pieces. We all WANT them!
  • Brendalee Perryman Brendalee Perryman on Jan 19, 2014
    i love minis i would have no trouble filling these shadow boxes! i noticed the other day i have a lot of misc. jewelry i don't wear but keep for one reason or another, and many were hearts of different sizes and shapes...i was thinking of doing something with them. shadow boxes, valentines day, gets the juices going...hmmmm
  • Mcgypsy9 Mcgypsy9 on Jan 21, 2014
    I would suggest, since you are now confused, to put them up for a while until just the right project pops into your head. You will know when the time is right! : ) Oh, they are beautiful!
  • Rose White Rose White on Jan 21, 2014
    I would paint or stain them in a neutral color so it doesn't get too busy. That way you can appreciate the shape and the items you place in them.. As for what to put in the boxes I would do something according to the current season or holiday. Keep it simple so it can be changed often. I like to use printers block letters to spell something appropriate.
  • Unfinishedwoodco Unfinishedwoodco on Jan 22, 2014
    Mcgypsy9@aol.com Thanks! I think that is exactly what I am going to do. I never dreamed of all of the fabulous ideas that you all came up with.
  • Unfinishedwoodco Unfinishedwoodco on Aug 19, 2014
    For anyone that was interested in these shadow box frames, I am selling my extra shadow box samples on my Unfinishedwoodco ETSY site.