posted on December 14, 2000 09:42:26 PM new
I have an idea and I need to know what you think. We have, from both sets of parents, a whole bunch of little sentimental objects that aren't of any real value--like tie clips and cufflinks and a violin tuning key, a high school medal, and so forth.
I had an idea that perhaps I could buy one of those tall clear-glass hurricane things, about 10" tall, that you set over a candle to keep it from blowing out. And then I could glue the little objects all over it, with some broken purple glass found around a family cabin, and it could look very pretty with a candle lit in it or not.
Would you use hot glue or cool glue? My instinct is that hot glue could get soft and loosen the objects when a candle is burning. I also am not sure how easy it would be to pry the little objects off if there was major breakage or someone wanted one of the items.
I also thought of hanging them by fishing line from a small wrought-iron Christmas "tree" as a family thing.
posted on December 14, 2000 09:53:38 PM new
Roadsmith, why not just use a large shadowbox? While novel, both of your projects would leave the objects exposed to dust and possible damage, and one would get glue on them (I'm not sure how much value they have to you, sentimental or otherwise).
You are correct about the hot glue getting soft when heated. A small dab of quick setting epoxy might do the trick, or a thick-bodied super glue.
Of your ideas, I really like the tree the best as it would allow viewers to see the items from all angles.
posted on December 14, 2000 10:38:11 PM new
What about a small type tray? You could still get the items out to look at, add to, etc. I have taken old newspaper clippings, photos, invitations, cards, etc, about the family to line the back (bottom, really) of the tray as well. They really do turn out cute! When done, have your glass co. cut a piece of thin plexiglass to fit over the tray and attach it with little brass hinges, to keep out the dust-always a consideration in west Texas!
posted on December 15, 2000 01:40:22 AM new
I'll share an idea I had, so I could display some of my Grandmothers old rhinestone costume jewelry. I got a wooden lazy susan tray, and eventually I'm going to make a kaleidoscope to mount over it. (I'm going to do the insides, and I'm trying to talk my Dad (who does lots of woodworking) into making the case for me. This way you can spin the tray, and look at everything through the kaleidoscope. I think it'll look cool with all of the sparkly multicolor rhinestones!
posted on December 15, 2000 05:07:40 AM new
I like the shadowbox idea. The tray sounds good too. I bought a little table that has a glass top that lifts up to allow you to put things in it for display. The Hurricane thing sounds like it would be hard to keep clean.
posted on December 15, 2000 06:02:04 AM new
I'm with the crowd here. Not only will gluing these items possibly damage them; the thought of keeping this thing dust-free...well, better you than me.
posted on December 15, 2000 06:29:25 AM new
I'd put the items in a box, a shoe box or something similar. I would then place the box on a shelf in a closet and forget about it.
I'm sure that, now and then, I'd find the box again, look inside with rekindled nostalgia, and think........,I really should do something nice with these things. I'd toy with the objects for a while, be reminded of someone or sometime, and then put the box back on the shelf until the next time.
posted on December 15, 2000 07:48:48 AM new
I've seen items like this displayed in deep framed boxes with glass covers. When done nicely, the effect is quite nice.
posted on December 15, 2000 10:57:51 AM new
Roadsmith - if you'd still like to go ahead with your project you should probably use an acrylic adhesive. It's permanent and won't melt from the candle heat like a hot glue would. You can get it at a hardware store or a craft shop.
posted on December 15, 2000 12:44:28 PM new
I have a bunch of rhinestone jewelry that is in broken pieces, so I was thinking about gluing them to a black velvet background, then frame them. Maybe string old clear christmas lights around the frame, or even poke holes in the background so they are nestled inside with the rhinestones. Might work for your project too.
posted on December 15, 2000 04:30:33 PM new
Gee, thanks everybody! Lots of good ideas there. I think I'll just glue the old colored (mostly purple) glass onto a huricane lamp cover and do something else with the little trinkets.
Now I'm thinking the trinkets could each be wrapped in the appropriate color wire (gold, silver, copper) and made into mini-ornaments as I suggested earlier. Hmm. I'll cogitate on this a while longer. Again, thanks.
posted on December 16, 2000 02:40:59 AM new
A couple of years ago I made two displays for my parents. I picked up two 8x10 frames from Wal-mart. Not quite shadow boxes, but the deepest ones I could find. Then I took an old cutter quilt that was too beat up to be of any use as it was, and cut pieces to fit the frames (an old handkerchief or other fabric would work as well) Then I put a copy of their parents wedding pics in each one and added buttons, old keys, old jewelry and anything else I could find, tacking it in place with thread. They turned out very nice -really better than I expected!
edited to add: This is a bad pic of a third one I made, but still better than my description. (The baby on the woman's lap is my great-grandmother)
[ edited by BlondeSense on Dec 16, 2000 03:08 AM ]
[ edited by BlondeSense on Dec 16, 2000 03:14 AM ]
