Make An Ikea Ribba Frame A Shadow Box

Remember when I went on an Ikea binge here?.  Well, I stocked up on some white Ribba frames.  I picked up some 4x6 and 5x7 frames to sprinkle around the nest and use in projects.  For a week, they have been sitting in the yellow Ikea bag that is stashed behind my couch.  I wasn't sure what was going to go in them until I came home from the Scott Antique Market with these finds.

I decided to frame them.  My challenge was finding a frame deep enough to allow for 1/4"-1/2" thick items to sit behind some glass.  Even my Ribba frames weren't cutting it.

This is when I thought to turn the Ribba into a shadow box.  It was so simple.  I am sure there probably even better ways out there, but this is what worked for me.

1.  Take some foam, mounting tape.
2.  Cut into skinny strips that are no larger than the lip of your frame.
3.  Place glass into the frame.
4.  In the center of each side of the frame, stack 4 or 5 pieces of mounting 
     tape directly on the glass to create desired thickness.

To assist in supporting the weight of the metal items I wanted to mount, I chose to mount the items directly to the hard backing of the frame.  This meant that I needed to cover the back in some scrapbook paper.

Using the same mounting tape, I affixed the skeleton keys to the scrapbook paper and popped my frame together.  Here is my finished product.

These Ribba frames are legit!  They run $2.99 or $4.99 for the 4x6 or 5x7.  Plus, they come with a mat.  Don't want the mat?  Pull it out to change your 4x6 to a 5x7 and the 5x7 to (almost) an 8x10.  I know I will be picking up some more of these next time I am at Ikea.  I am thinking I will find uses from them everywhere.


What could you see shadow boxing in a Ribba?


*Want to see what went in one of my 5x7 Ribba frames?  Click here for the dry erase love letter tutorial.