The Michael's in my area (Richmond, VA) carries beautiful finished and unfinished display boxes. They stock them in the picture frame section, near the custom framing section. They have them without a front or with plexiglass or glass fronts that will protect the items displayed from dust and damage. Another source I found these boxes are Ben Franklin Crafts and Frames which is a craft store chain just like Michaels and they too have finished and unfinished shadow boxes in their frames section. I have even seen them at Wal-Mart. I know of a woodworker who makes shelves, memory boxes/shadow boxes and he is very reasonable and reliable. Tell him I sent you if you are interested. http://www.gregswoodshed.com

Tillie
2 Mar 04

I found several of these shadow boxes at the Dollar Tree in my area and they also had rectangular shaped ones with a top on the front. These would make great shadow box displays for mini store items since the box top reminds you of a store front. There is also a chain craft and home decor store called Garden Ridge and they have the house shaped box in a much, much larger size than the Dollar Store boxes. And again, there is a website and catalog mail order place call Bear Woods, http://www.bearwood.com or www.woodparts.ca which carries the shadow box in the larger size. They have a free color catalog you can request at their site or call them at 1-800-565-5066. I have these boxes at my website http://www.heavenlycreationsbytillie.com and I call them "Things Found in a House Series". They are easy to paint or stain and the cubbies are large enough to put 1" scale mini accessories. I even put in some of the wire mesh furniture I got from the Dollar Store.

Tillie
2 Mar 04

I found small shallow compartmented wooden boxes similar to what you are describing at a chain store we have around here (Mississippi and Alabama) that is called The Dollar Tree.

Only these boxes are house-shaped silhouttes! I've seen similar little compartmented boxes at Walmart in the crafts department and at other Dollar stores. I stained the one I bought myself and I display minis that are special to me, on the little shelves.

A friend's little girl painted the one that I gave to her like it was a dollhouse-each of the 7 'rooms' and the 'attic' were decorated differently. It turned out really cute.

Mine is propped on a table, but it has little metal hangers already attached at the 'roof' angles, for wall hanging. They are great for displaying small mini mementos!

Kathy
2 Mar 2004

The US Post office gives away shipping boxes. They're excellent! Very square, good material. 12" x 12" x 9" are great! Paint and paper them for additional strength. Just about perfect for any roombox. Have a look around at cardboard boxes in general. Painted and sealed, they'll last a very, very long time.

Plus, if you use matboard as a wallpapered liner, glued to the inside, it gives additional stability. Easily cut, wired and decorated. Plus, they're light weight ... some wooden boxes can get very heavy.

If you don't have a full wood-working shop, filled with power tools, these boxes can be delightful!

Judie St. Onge
February 24, 2004

Here is a web site I happened on that will give you more information than you need about what sizes to use for furniture. All you have to do is divide by 12, or use a scale.

http://www.woodbin.com/ref/index.htm

Tom THE tool man
18 Feb 04

I just became aware of this site. http://www.geocities.com/ddpdance24/mkminiatures.html

Connie
29 Jan 2004

I have been using plain or ornate picture frames in different sizes for my memory boxes (shadow boxes). I place them on the boxes using hinges so you can easily get into them and keep them dust free. You can use plates of glass or plexiglass but you will need to bore holes for the hinges.

Tillie
29 Jan 2004

There is a Yahoo group devoted to roomboxes:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/roomboxes/
It's a lively group.

Carol

quinn
1/20/04

MINICRIS from Italy -

Luci Hanson of hansonminis.com deals in roomboxes...

Mary Ann

Eileen Godfrey Miniatures (Pound Ridge NY, 914 764 1950) carries The House that Jack Built

TM Kaliski
1/21/0