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One of a Kind, Handmade Shadowboxes for Your Pins!

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One of a Kind, Handmade Shadowboxes for Your Pins!
They are abosolutely gorgeous. Please takea look at my BATB pins in my collection.. I have the receipt from this huge shadow box Santa brought me . I'm not sure all my pins would fit in an 8 x 8.
Definitely want a Rapunzel once I can afford more pins. Gorgepus Work... Well Done!
 
They are abosolutely gorgeous. Please takea look at my BATB pins in my collection.. I have the receipt from this huge shadow box Santa brought me . I'm not sure all my pins would fit in an 8 x 8.
Definitely want a Rapunzel once I can afford more pins. Gorgepus Work... Well Done!

Thanks very much for your compliment! I was actually totally taken aback and humbled to see you reference my shadowboxes on that crazy DSF Rapunzel thread, haha! I can't wait for my pin to arrive, aaah!! :anxious:

8" x 8" is my go-to size for a few reasons. Most of the backings that I use only come in a size up to a 12" x 12", and then I have to start matching up multiple sheets to cover an area. It's sort of a pain, and I've never been truly satisfied with the way it looks on bigger projects. I've been experimenting with an 8" x 10", and once I feel more confident on a backing solution secured to the frame, I'll probably start offering those up for sale. Same is true with a neat 12" x 12" frame I found. I have all of these ideas!! @_@;;;

As it stands, an 8" x 8" box typically holds between 10 - 12 pins depending on how they're secured in the box. The Storybook Shadowboxes typically hold around 8 - 9 pins around the graphic.

If you do decide to create your own shadowbox with the big shadowbox you got for christmas, my most important advice so far is to add at least one layer of felt or soft fabric to the back. On one of the first ones I created for myself, I didn't do this and just pushed the pin through a layer of cardstock. The extra felt/fabric adds more structure so the cardstock doesn't bow or bend but it also is soft and provides a lot more support for the pin posts and pin heads. I'm really proud of the backings on my shadowboxes - they're as safe for your pins as they are visually appealing! :)

BIG thanks to everyone who has been so kind and complimented my work!! It means so much and it only makes me want to do MORE for you guys!! Right now, my commission queue is cleared up. Who wants to be next, haha?!
 
I have one extra 8" x 8" shadowbox base in my possession right this very moment, and I would LOVE to create one for someone!!

Bump, bump, bump!! :) My commission list is now totally clear, and I'd love to change that!!
 
I just wanted to compliment you on your beautiful work! All the commissions you've made and the shadow boxes you have made for your own collection are simply stunning!! Thank you so much for sharing your work and I will definitely keep you in mind if I ever have room in my display for a shadow box! ^.^
 
I would absolutely die to do a Wreck it Ralph shadowbox! Oh man, especially a Sugar Rush themed one. SOMEONE BUY THIS FROM ME RIGHT NOW. I will even make it smell like sugar for you! I have that kind of power!! (p.s. Was that a hint? I can do this for you and you know it!)

Story, thank you for your compliment! I would really love to build a shadowbox for you should the opportunity arise. Please keep me in mind! :)

And Jenna, you're great and you know it. n_n
 
Well, I'll still want a little mermaid one, I've been trying to make one myself, but I don't have all of the great accessories like you do! ;) I'll pm you when I'm ready! But start thinking under the sea! ;)
 
Well, I'll still want a little mermaid one, I've been trying to make one myself, but I don't have all of the great accessories like you do! ;) I'll pm you when I'm ready! But start thinking under the sea! ;)

Oh my gosh, say the word and I will do this in a heartbeat. I have walked by sooo many fantastic things to use for a Little Mermaid shadowbox and I desperately, desperately, desperately want to make one to get it out of my system!! Whew. Please let me know, I want to make this happen.
 
... And just like that, it looks like the fabulous Rasputin has claimed my last 8" x 8" shadowbox in my hands. I will be getting more this weekend, I'm hoping, so if you're still looking for a commission, please let me know and I will make this happen for you!

8" x 10" hinged shadowbox (my Princess shadowbox on page 2) has passed my test for backing stability (currently has 14 pins in it, no bowing, bending or pins falling out) and will be available for commission starting at $55. Please note that this shadowbox will NOT work with Mickey pin backings. 8" x 8" shadowboxes will work with Mickey pin backings.
 
... And just like that, it looks like the fabulous Rasputin has claimed my last 8" x 8" shadowbox in my hands. I will be getting more this weekend, I'm hoping, so if you're still looking for a commission, please let me know and I will make this happen for you!

8" x 10" hinged shadowbox (my Princess shadowbox on page 2) has passed my test for backing stability (currently has 14 pins in it, no bowing, bending or pins falling out) and will be available for commission starting at $55. Please note that this shadowbox will NOT work with Mickey pin backings. 8" x 8" shadowboxes will work with Mickey pin backings.

What's the theme for Rasputins next box?! :D


Ooooohhhh! I can't wait to see your princess pins in their new box!! :D
 
What's the theme for Rasputins next box?! :D


Ooooohhhh! I can't wait to see your princess pins in their new box!! :D

Next time we message, I'll ask permission to share the next theme. I don't know if it's a surprise or not, and I don't want to spoil anything. :)

EDIT: it's Pirates of the Caribbean!
 
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Last but not least, my first attempt at working with an 8" x 10" "cabinet" style shadowbox. This box has a hinged door that closes magnetically. I hated every moment of putting this stupid shadowbox together. The MDF backing was impossible to take apart, I got a nasty cut from it splintering, and the backing decided not to fit with the paper causing a massive headache as I tried to delicately trim it with an Exacto-blade. Having said that, I like how it looks now that it's done, and it will be a new home for my princess pins. I can't wait to see it assembled with my pins...

That's all for now! :)

I love all of the shadowboxes you've created, but I especially love this one-- I'm sorry to hear it was such a pain to work with! I particularly love the castle!
 
Just finished up my first commission for Vixy!! Theme is Alice in Wonderland, and she was very generous in allowing me to take some creative license with it. I chose a baby blue and white Victorian inspired background for Alice (as a nod to the original text and, of course, Alice's costume) and the frame features rhinestones, tea cups and red and white roses, including some that are being "painted" red... the Cheshire Cat hides in the upper left hand corner. I'm so thrilled that she loves it!

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Next up is Nightmare Before Christmas and another Tangled box! Stay tuned!
This is amazing!! I absolutely love it!!
 
After having bought LITERALLY every 8" x 8" shadowbox in NH and Massachusetts (they're in short supply for some reason), I give you the newest four shadowboxes I've completed:

First up, two commissions for Rasputin, who has been incredibly patient while I hunted down the right materials to make these:

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This Nightmare Before Christmas shadowbox is inspired by my favorite scene in the movie, where Jack ponders the snowflakes. The backing of this shadowbox features spiderwebs and glittering spiders while the frame is embellished with grey-tone flowers and black swirls. Sparkling snowflakes "fall" across the frame. This frame was a unique challenge for me. I wanted to be sure there was enough room in the frame for pins, but also I wanted to be sure that I didn't focus too much on Halloween versus Christmas, and I'm proud of the subtlety of this one. I almost went ALL OUT Christmas but I really love that this frame reminds me of Jack Skellington, and I hope Rasputin agrees. :)

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Also for Rasputin, a Tangled shadowbox. This is one of my favorites to build. The background is actually Tangled scrapbooking paper which has been discontinued (I bought thirty sheets. If anyone wants one of these boxes, I've got you covered.) featuring lanterns and spires. Thrown from a window is a long blonde braid (made of synthetic wig hair!) with glittering flowers. The frame is decorated with pink and purple paper flowers, gold swirls and glass pearls and rhinestones. I love this shadowbox. This style was one of the first shadowboxes I built and I hope that Rasputin's captures as much attention as mine does amongst our friends and visitors.

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Next, a Storybook Shadowbox I built for myself. I had started acquiring a backlog of Tangled pins that needed a home. Standard fare for the frame, but the backing is a page out of a kids storybook. I really love these shadowboxes because I'm particularly enchanted with the artwork, but they're not the most efficient use of space - this shadowbox will max at 9 pins, while the Tangled shadowbox above will easily hold a dozen or more depending on how they're positioned. If anyone is interested in one of these, please let me know. They will likely cost a few dollars more than my traditional shadowboxes because I need to purchase more books to take apart. (This was the last page I had, and it's actually damaged - hard to see in the picture but it's torn.)

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Last but not least, my first attempt at working with an 8" x 10" "cabinet" style shadowbox. This box has a hinged door that closes magnetically. I hated every moment of putting this stupid shadowbox together. The MDF backing was impossible to take apart, I got a nasty cut from it splintering, and the backing decided not to fit with the paper causing a massive headache as I tried to delicately trim it with an Exacto-blade. Having said that, I like how it looks now that it's done, and it will be a new home for my princess pins. I can't wait to see it assembled with my pins...

That's all for now! :)

OMG YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!!! I love these!! You did such an awesome job (:
 
I really love your Storybook Shadowbox! I'm glad someone else re-purposes damaged little golden books (I used a bunch of them to cover an old small bookcase). I also love how you put embellishments on the frame itself- on most shadowboxes I've seen, the frame is neglected.
 
Wow, these are all stunning!! When I have a nice enough collection to warrant such a lovely shadowbox, I will probably be back for an Aristocats one, if that's something you think you could do!
 
Wow, lots going on here, thank you all so much!

Vixy - I suspect the trouble with that shadowbox was mostly my own stupid fault, haha. I didn't trim the paper properly, I suspect. I'll give it another go at some point, but yes, I'm also particularly attached to the castle in that one. I'm really in love with it now that it's loaded with pins! <3

Hidden_Miki - Thank you so much. :) I'm glad you like them!!

Meggles - I LOVE the artwork in Little Golden Books, and I wanted a reason to buy them and display the art. The fact that the pages fit into these frames was a total freak accident, but I'm SO happy I get to use the beautiful artwork to display pins! I also am really passionate about detail work. My favorite part of assembling costumes or any other big projects I ever work on is detail -- hand beading, painting, trimming, etc. Love it. <3 Also, HEY Massachusetts buddy! Please come to the New England meet, I was so excited to see your name on that thread!

Kai - The Aristocats is one of my favorites. I would jump at the chance to build an Aristocats box! o_o!!
 
I put the pins in my shadowbox tonight and I'm delighted with them! (I'm sorry for the poor quality of the photos-- they're with my phone and I had to get into weird angles to keep my own shadow out of the photos.)


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I thought it'd be fun to have the Alice pin gazing at the Cheshire on the frame. :)

I'm so pleased! Thank you again J'aimie! :cheshire:
 
I put the pins in my shadowbox tonight and I'm delighted with them! (I'm sorry for the poor quality of the photos-- they're with my phone and I had to get into weird angles to keep my own shadow out of the photos.)


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I thought it'd be fun to have the Alice pin gazing at the Cheshire on the frame. :)

I'm so pleased! Thank you again J'aimie! :cheshire:

Your pins look AMAZING!! Thank you so, so much for sharing your photos, it means so much to see your pins in the frame! :) I'm so glad you love it!!
 
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