Craft designer and demonstrator Kathy Lamancusa of Visual Design Concepts explains how to make a glass memory box to display wedding memorabilia or other collectibles. Materials:
Silicone glue
Six squares of 1/8" glass
Masking tape
Two spray cans (used to hold side pieces upright)
Floral foam
Cardboard
Fabric
Fabric glue
Scissors
Treasures to display
- Tape two pieces of masking tape in a large X from corner to corner on each piece of glass. If it breaks while you're working with it, it will stay together somewhat rather than shatter in many pieces (figure A).
- The glass pieces will be joined with silicone glue. The side, front and back pieces will be glued to the top of the bottom glass piece. The side pieces should be cut the same width as the bottom piece. The front and back pieces should be cut 1/4" narrower than the width of the bottom piece because they will be sandwiched between the two side pieces (figure B).
- Run a bead of silicone glue along the top face of one side of the bottom piece of glass and place one side-piece edge on top of the glue. Use two spray cans, one placed on either side of the vertical piece of glass, to hold it upright. If any silicone glue squeezes out, wait until it dries, then scrape it off with a razor blade (figure C).
- Glue the other side piece in place, making sure to glue it to the top face of the bottom piece.
- Run a bead of glue along the back edge of the bottom piece and along the sides of the back piece of glass. Glue the back piece in place. Do the same with the front piece of glass.
- Glue a piece of floral foam on end to one corner of a piece of cardboard cut to fit into the bottom of the glass box (figure D).
- Drape a piece of fabric over the floral foam and over and around the bottom of the cardboard. Glue the fabric onto the underside of the cardboard. Trim away excess fabric.
- Place the fabric-draped cardboard into the box (figure E). Create a pleasing arrangement of mementos and treasures inside the box. If necessary, glue the items in place.
- Glue the top glass piece to the side pieces by running a bead of silicone glue along the edges of the side pieces and placing the glass piece on top.
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