A pair of easy-to-make shadow boxes simply and effectively display a collection of nautical pieces. Figure A Figure B Figure C

Not everyone has antiques from all over the world or the extra space to display them. But you can still enjoy the art of collecting by displaying a few favorite items on easy-to-make shelf shadow boxes built from inexpensive pine.

Materials:

Four pieces of 1" x 6" pine lumber
Saw
Wood glue
Corner clamps
Finishing nails
Nail set
Hammer
Wood putty
Paint or stain and necessary tools for application
Two keyhole brackets
Screwdriver
Rotary tool
Wall screws and wall anchors (if the screws will be mounted in dry wall)

1. Determine the size of your shadow box, and cut the pine lumber to size.

2. Assemble the four sides of the box with wood glue. Hold the corners at 90-degree angles with corner clamps (figure A).

3. Secure the corners with finishing nails recessed with a nail set. Patch holes with wood putty and let dry.

4. When the glue has dried, remove the clamps and paint or stain the shadow box. Let it dry.

5. Attach a pair of keyhole brackets (figure B) to the back of the box so it can be hung flush against the wall. Use a rotary tool to rout out the wood in back of the keyhole of each bracket (figure C).

6. Hang the shadow box from wall screws. Install wall anchors for the screws if they're mounted in dry wall rather than wall studs.