It all started with an assortment of vintage plastic flowers discovered at a local thrift shop. Loads of tiny faux blossoms in a rainbow of colors — and only $2.00. How could I resist?
Driving home from the shop, I mulled over what I should do with my latest find. Making a garden-themed shadowbox immediately came to mind. So I took a detour and drove to a cigar store where the owner kindly leaves stacks of empty cigar boxes near the door. Free for the taking, I selected several small wooden ones and headed home to my studio.
My favorite go-to craft is decoupage, so I decided to cut out an array of flowery images to line the sides of the box. I gathered my supplies (glue, Mod Podge, brushes, cutting tools, thread spools, embroidery floss) along with vintage postcards, floral paper and tear sheets from old gardening books.
The cigar box had a slide-off top which I removed. Then I painted the box a vibrant turquoise. Although the lid was no longer needed, I realized that the same grooves could hold glass instead. So while the paint dried, I headed to the hardware store and purchased a piece of glass cut to size for just $1.00.
Back in the studio, I chose a vintage postcard of Emily Post’s cottage in Edgartown on Martha’s Vineyard as the focal point in the box’s interior. I covered the sides with garden imagery and used a map and sunflower on the back. Next, I applied five coats of satin Mod Podge to the exterior of the box, giving each coat at least 20 minutes drying time.
After making a small platform from florist foam, I arranged and glued down an array of plastic flowers to simulate a colorful garden bed. On the top of the box, I added a tiny bird perched on a mound of moss.
I wanted my shadowbox to be free-standing, so little legs were in order. I rooted through my stash of empty wooden thread spools, found four of the same size, and glued embroidery floss in vibrant colors around each. Then I coated them with Mod Podge and secured them to the bottom. When everything was dry, I slid the glass in place and my thrifty shadowbox was complete.
Here are pics with the glass removed so you can have a closer look. Oh, I forgot to mention — I painted tiny white clouds on the blue sky inside.
Isn’t the little bird adorable?
I love the back of the box and the little spool legs, too.
My new shadowbox barely cost a thing and I’m very pleased with how it turned out. It certainly looks right at home in my studio.
Plus, I still have four more cigar boxes. Perhaps my shadowbox will be the first one in a series . . . Stay tuned!
Susan
Connect with me on Instagram and Facebook. I’d love to hear from you!
