A shoe box can become a functional and decorative photo frame with basic materials and a little creativity. This recycling project offers a practical solution for organize and display children’s drawingsavoiding clutter and giving a personal touch to the space.
The end result mimics the design of professional frames, with the added benefit of including a internal compartment to store works.
The structure takes advantage of the natural box stiffnessusing the lid as a visible front and the base as a storage space. To protect the creations, transparent materials are incorporated such as acetate or micaavailable in bookstores. This design allows the children’s art to be displayed in an orderly and aesthetic way.
Step by step: how to recycle a shoe box to turn it into a photo frame
The first step consists of cut an opening in the lid of the box, which will function as the window frame. It is recommended to center an A4 size sheet on the cover and draw a uniform margin of 2 or 3 centimeters. The cut must be made with a cutter or scalpelensuring that the space is slightly smaller than the size of the drawing to hold it firmly. Then, you can paint or cover the lid with cardboard or decorative paper to give it a more professional finish.
The base of the box determines the storage depth. If the height is excessive, it can be reduced to 3 or 5 centimetersan ideal size to store up to one hundred drawings or paintings. To keep the drawing in a centered position, a cardboard piece at the bottom of the base, coinciding with the exact size of the lid opening.
A transparent material (acetate or mica) is placed inside the lid, covering the cut-out hole. This protector is attached with silicone or strong glue behind the edges of the frame, ensuring that the drawing is visible and protected.
The lid and base are joined with a homemade hingewhich may be a piece of strong cloth tape or packing tapeplaced on the top edge. This allows the frame to be opened and closed with ease. To prevent it from opening accidentally, a adhesive velcro closure on the bottom edge or neodymium magnets (less visible) on both sides.
To display the photo frame, a strong hook or tape on the back of the box. Thus, the frame shows the last drawing while protecting the rest of the works inside. This project not only organize children’s artbut also adds a unique decorative element to the home.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
