Make an Inspirational Shadow Box Collage

I came across a kit called “Inspire Poster.” It appeared to have little matchbox quotes and dioramas. It inspired me to try making one myself without getting the kit.

• bulk packs of matchboxes
• craft paint
• paper and printer
• foam adhesive
• double-sided crafters runner tape
• embellishments of your choice
• popsicle sticks
• embroidery thread

Step 1

Grab a couple of packs of matchboxes and separate the box and cover. You'll want around 20 boxes altogether.

I put all the matches and the cover with the strike strip in a ziplock in case I might need some matches some other time.

Step 2

Arrange the matchboxes into a collage shape. Leave about half right side up and half upside down. This is to give you an idea of how many vertical and/or horizontal quotes you'll need.

At this point, I took a picture, so I could remember how to do it later.

Step 3

Go online and pick out some quote art on Google images or Pinterest. Put the quotes in a program where you can resize them. I used the app Goodnotes, but you could also use Word. Print the quotes out.

I decided to make my shadow box about creativity and art. You could pick a different theme or whatever floats your boat.

Decide where to put the quotes

Decide what color to paint the box you'll glue them to.

For example, in the picture below, I chose to paint the box for that quote black, so it would match the quote.

However, it would be good to pick a color scheme of 5 or 6 colors only to use if you can, to make the whole piece consistent. As you can see, I chose basic rainbow colors.

You will also need to paint the insides and sides of the boxes that will go inward.

Once the paint is dry, use a glue stick to attach the quote to the colored box.

Glue all the quotes onto their already chosen colored box. Keep in mind how many vertical or horizontal quotes you need when you put the shadow box art back together.

Put your boxes with quotes to the side for now as you embellish the rest.

Since this step will depend on the supplies you have on hand, I'm just going to show you what I did. You'll probably have to get creative with the embellishments you have.

Since the theme of my shadow box collage was art and creativity, I found some scrapbook stickers that had that same theme:

Using the picture you took earlier, piece your collage together, at first without gluing it.

This way you get an idea of how it's supposed to go. You can make any changes if you need to.

Pick up an edge box and one next to it. Use a double-sided tape roller to attach them together where they're supposed to.

Pinch down on the boxes, so it gets a good hold

Once you've pieced and attached them together with the adhesive tape, gently flip the whole thing over.

Glop glue onto a popsicle stick and arrange as many as you need, to attach all the boxes.

Try to make sure you don't get any popsicle sticks to show on the other side.

Now, to make it be able to hang on your wall, thread some embroidery string through a large needle. Tie the end with a big knot.

Going through a box from the backside, poke your needle through till hits the big knot.

Now go to the other side of the collage and poke it through a box on that end and tie it off.

Now flip your shadow box collage over and hang it on the wall!!