Have You Ever Made a Shadow Box?

We have "Michael's" craft stores by us. They carry shadow boxes in all sizes. Wood frames with glass fronts, and black felt on the back. I would go and see the sizes to see what you can fit in one. That will help you determine WHAT can go into the box. It sounds like you have some big items/a lot you want in there.

I agree with a pp that to "mount" the cars and hacky sacs hot glue might work, but perhaps using fishing line to sew them onto the back so they stay supported. Push pins might work, but they may give way too over time.

I don't know how you're going to make a "boy" box country looking tho?

Best wishes, sorry I don't have more input.

You can get different types of shadow boxes at any framing store- like a Micheal's, Hobby Lobby, or Joann's - they can even do it for you(though it will be more expensive, but most have a 50% off framing coupon this time of year) but if you would like to do it yourself- they might be able to give you some more ideas of how to put it together. Take everything with you and let them know what you would like to do- this is their job and they will be able to find a great way to do it.
I worked in framing for about 10 yrs(my parents owned a frame shop) You will need a very sturdy frame- so don't go for the really skinny ones(if you are doing a large shadow box). A nice mat board for the back ground- the frame shop should be able to cut one to size for you. I would do the shirt as a back drop- maybe hang it at an angle- this should be stitched on- then the fishing lures in the top corner that would be left open by the angle of the shirt(if it contrasts good, you can over lap them a little) I would use 3- if you have that many. The hackey sacks would be a little tricky and I think I would arrange them nicely so they would be resting on the bottom because I'm not sure how long the hot glue would hold them in place. Maybe place a couple little toy sports cars in there too- on the shirt.
I have seen some nice frames made out of the old barn wood- that would give it a country look- I am not sure if they have that available in a shadow box though.
It might cost a couple of hundred dollars to get this done for you- but it will be worth it for a project this big. I think this is a great idea!
good luck!
~C.

Go to a craft store and purchase a matt board. You can cover this with material and then use straight pins to tack everything down. You can do so much with a shadow box. The craft store will also have sticky dots so you can adhere a photo to a matt board and lean that in there too.

Hot-glue... is the best, for gluing/securing things down.... if you don't have a hot glue gun... don't worry, they are not expensive. I even got mine from our local Long's/CVS store.

For the fishing lure.... does it have to dangle from something??? If so, use thread... or clear sewing thread... any local drug store etc., should have sewing basics like thread etc.

For the shadow box itself.. well we've used shoe boxes.....

Oh sorry ( I just saw you want to put a Referee shirt in there... so is this for a kids' school project or a Christmas gift where it has to be all professional looking???) If so, yah, buy a shelf shadow box... or display box.

But... if it is for an elementary kids' school project... use a shoe box. That is what is commonly used 100% of the time... Teachers don't expect... full on store bought wood shadow boxes...

Sorry, never mind... I was thinking of my kids "display" type projects... we used shoe boxes.
For your purpose.. you are probably wanting a nice wood shadow box... maybe even Walmart has some...