Memories, as that old song says, don’t have to stay in the “corners of our mind.”  Why not bring them out in the open in a custom-designed shadow box!

Sawsan Wolksi, owner of The Frame Company and Gaia Gallery, says that any event and the most personal artifacts of importance and beauty can be displayed on a shadow box – weddings, births, holiday gatherings, graduations, birthdays, even back-to school events.  The themes really are endless! Sawsan recently faced such a challenge as she designed a shadow box to commemorate a Bar Mitzvah.  She offers these tips for completing a similar project, from start to finish.

Collect Your Materials

Easier said than done! Sometime, there are more memorable items that room for display.  Many people use a shadow box to display an assortment of cherished family photos, while others have clothing or other tangible, uniquely sized items to display.  With this particular Bar Mitzvah, not only did they have photos from both the ceremony and the party that followed, but also invitations and other keepsakes, including the cup used in the ceremony.

Decide What’s Important

Typically, you will have to pick and choose from your assorted collection, deciding on the most important pieces.  In this case, it was decided that the shadow box would focus on the important religious ceremony itself.  Therefore, only the items relating to the ceremony would be used.

Determine the Artistic Style

There are many choices available to communicate the style of your shadow box.  Whether it’s sleek and contemporary or formal and traditional, the look you choose should compliment the overall design you’re trying to achieve.

Sawsan also recommends ensuring that all the framing material, mat, and glass are archival quality.  This will preserve and protect your treasures for many generations to come.

This event required simple elegance and simplicity of style, focusing on the religious and generational aspects.  Therefore, the silver cup, which had been used in three generations of Bar Mitzvahs in this family, would be the focal point of the display.  It was mounted in a deeper box and surrounded by a golf fillet (or smaller frame that attached directly to the mat), making it the heart of this shadow box.

Choose the Background Matting

Your choice of a background mat will set the stage for the entire display.  At The Frame Company and Gaia Gallery, customers have many choices of mat colors ad textures (like silks, linens or velvets) which can make this decision a difficult one.  In keeping with the dignity and significance of this particular Bar Mitzvah, a hand-covered silk mat was chosen.

Arrange the Objects Carefully

Layout of photos and objects take time! Study your arrangement carefully to keep a coherent appearance.  Style and aesthetics must be considered so the shadow box does not become a jumble of random objects with little meaning.

Some final thoughts from Sawsan, although a shadow box can be mounted on a wall, it can also be placed on an easel as another display option.  Just remember that custom-designed shadow boxes usually have quite a bit of depth and thus need just the right space to highlight the display best.  In addition, prices for a custom-designed display can vary greatly, from less than $100 to over $800 - it all depends on the size and material you choose.

“I always tell my customers that shadow boxes take time to put together and its best not to rush the process,” Sawsan said.  “It’s a good idea to talk over your plans with someone who has an artistic eye for detail and can help make your display one to treasure for many years to come,” she concluded.