Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Tip and Review : Suspension Shadow Boxes for Jewelry Display

I was recently invited to participate in an art exhibition that was, ironically and unfortunately, not prepared to display jewelry. Normally I would shy (or run) away from organizations not able to properly display/secure jewelry. However, this exhibition pulled on my heart strings. It is the first exhibition for the past scholarship recipients of the Allied Artists of Johnstown---a scholarship I was awarded 20 years ago!

Feeling nostalgic, my mission began...find a way to display my jewelry that is secure and easy to ship. That is when I remembered an article I read in the Jeweler Resource Bureau about mounting jewelry in floating shadow boxes. These shadow boxes are two part frames which open at the center, allowing you to place almost any jewelry item inside. A clear, flexible plastic sheeting accommodates the jewelry and holds it firmly in place---virtually suspending it. A strong magnetic strip holds the two sides of the frame/box securely closed.
"Effervescence Wave Brooch" suspended in shadow box display

My next mission...find a way to secure this shadow box onto a pedestal and prevent it from being opened. That is when I turned to my husband, Ben Gilliam---metal artist, teacher and brilliant gig maker.
He designed and made me this wooden stand to hold the shadow box. It gets screwed to the top of the pedestal then the frame slides into the groove. He inserted a female thread into the bottom of the shadow box frame, and a screw then secures the frame in the wood base. Simple and brilliant, no?! Thanks, Ben!
I highly recommend these suspension shadow boxes...with or without wooden mounts! They are available in bulk from Prestige Pak Inc. or in smaller quantities from Rio Grande.

8 comments:

elizabethrosasjewelry said...

thanks for the information, I would have never thought of that. Your pieces look gorgeous in them.

Loella Medina said...

Thanks for posting this!! What a great idea!

Patricia C Vener said...

I've been looking for something like these, but for my very largest pieces. What size are the necklace boxes? does anyone know?

Patricia

Lora Hart said...

Saw one of these at the PMCC Retreat a couple of weeks ago. Fabulous! They're such a great idea and look very professional.

Danielle Miller-Gilliam said...

V,
I believe the largest one is the "necklace" box and it is 7" x 7" x 1-3/16"

Patricia C Vener said...

Bummer, that's much too small. Sadly, I have neither the time nor inclination to learn woodworking and make them myself. I guess I'll have to stick to Riker mounts for the time being.

mU said...

Great tip!!I didn't know that something like this even exists...
I want them all!!

John Smith said...

Wonderful blog post, thank you for sharing with us.
Display Boxes

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