Repurposed Shadow Box

Repurposing an antique walnut shadow box over my writing desk. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Repurposed Shadow Box

If you haven’t seen these at auctions, yard sales and thrift stores you may have one sitting in the attic like I did. This was a very old walnut shadow box that once belonged to my mother. I have some photos of her sitting next to it but I don’t recall what was originally in it, probably a collection of Hummel figurines. She had a collection from when she worked in Germany after World War II.

Two old clock cases she left me were also used as shadow boxes to hold little figurines of some sort. One still has the mirror shelves where the items were placed. They are still sitting in a box as I decide how to repurpose them.

As I was moving this shadow box yet again last year, it occurred to me that I could use it to highlight what I hoped would be my first published book. In spite of how many books one writes, the first one is always special. Just like making a first quilt.

Now this was not my first planned book. And I wrote another book that didn’t get published but this is the first published book. I ended up writing this one to help beekeepers struggling with managing clubs to help other beekeepers. It’s basically a management book but I tried to make it fun, approachable and helpful with checklists and planning guides. And I love Jake Tupper’s illustrations so being able to see the front cover was not only inspiration but fun.

This old shadow box had two issues. First, the glass on the front was placed too far forward. I took it to my local glass shop and after discussing options, I had that replaced so that the glass fit farther back.

The make shift backing was also permanently attached, making it impossible to get into the inside of the shadow box. See how that was solved?

Added hinges to the back make the shadow box backing easy to remove. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

Small metal hinges were attached to one side with the other side glued to the thinner backing. It was too thin to add nails or screws so I chose a good strong glue to make sure they were solidly attached. I won’t be opening it often anyway, I would be using the hinges only to get my book inside the box.

After dusting the wood, I applied Howard Feed N Wax to rehydrate the wood. This combination of beeswax and carnauba oil quickly brings most woods back to life, I love to use it on older pieces without having to refinish them.

Howard Feed N Wax rehydrates the wood to give it a nice sheen once buffed. (Photo by Charlotte Ekker Wiggins)

I left the wax on the wood for half an hour then gently buffed it with a soft old t-shirt.

The shadow box is now hanging over my writing desk, holding my first published book as I work on my third one. It’s nice to walk by, and look up, and see that first accomplishment. And that charming book cover.

Ok, now on to the next one!

Charlotte