Why hide mementos between the pages of a scrapbook when you can exhibit them as art? Collect souvenir trinkets, seashells, rocks, postcards, or leaves while on holiday, and then use them to create a three-dimensional display that you can enjoy every day.

The best approach to making a shadow box is to view the world as a child would. Pick up a shiny pebble that catches your eye. Save that concert- or train-ticket stub. If you like the way a foreign coin looks, slip it into your pocket, and keep it for your shadow box. Even a road map, a book of matches, or a subway token will do. A shadow box can present items that you've collected during a trip abroad or those you've discovered while walking along a beach or hiking a challenging woodland trail. Almost anything can be included, but be sure to check local regulations if you want to gather natural items, such as fossils, feathers, or plants.

To begin, you'll need a shadow box. You can make one, buy one, or adapt a picture frame or a plain cardboard box for this purpose. The following instructions show you how. Assembling a shadow box is a lovely afternoon activity when you're feeling nostalgic. Each tiny item you place in the box will remind you of those wonderful days spent exploring the world.

Souvenir Box
Gathering and displaying a few treasured things from a trip to France and a vacation in Italy recall the exciting days spent traveling.

Tools and Materials
Wooden box with sliding lid
Glass cut to lid size
Utility knife
Balsa wood
Small paintbrushes
Wood glue
Fluid acrylic paint
Craft glue, museum wax, or pins

Souvenir Box How-To
To exhibit keepsakes that are best displayed standing up rather than mounted, begin with a wooden box that has a sliding lid. Replace the lid with glass (cut to size by a framer).

1. To make a shelf, use a utility knife to cut balsa wood the length you'd like shelf to be and slightly less deep than the box (so it won't touch the glass). Brush edges that will touch box with wood glue, and position in box. Let dry.

2. Paint exterior and border of box. Let dry according to instructions. Paint inside of box a lighter color. Let dry.

3. Stand box on its end; glue, wax, or pin mementos inside. Slide in glass lid.

Specimen Box
Specimen boxes can evoke natural settings. A selection of sea-worn clamshells or pressed leaves makes a simple, beautiful display. Sea glass, driftwood, a vintage postcard, and a map can re-create a journey to coastal Maine.

Tools and Materials
Sturdy gift box with lid
Glass cut to fit inside box lid
Utility knife
Fine sandpaper
Scissors
Map or decorative paper
Spray adhesive
Bone folder
Contact cement
Sheet of colored paper
Craft glue or museum wax
Jewelry boxes (optional)
Paper label (optional)

Specimen Box How-To
For mounting items, you can purchase true specimen boxes with glass tops and batting linings at nature stores, or make your own from a standard lidded box.

1. To create a frame for a glass insert, draw a rectangle in the center of the box lid (ours has a 1 1/2-inch border). Carefully cut out the rectangle with a utility knife; smooth any rough edges with sandpaper.

2. To cover the box lid, cut a map or piece of decorative paper to the size of its width and length plus its depth and an additional 1/2 inch. Coat top and sides of lid with spray adhesive. Place paper wrong side up, and center lid upside down on top; then cut out rectangular window with the utility knife. At each of the four outer corners of the paper, mark and cut out a square that's even with the lid's edge on one side and that will leave a flap extending past the lid's edge on the other side, as shown. Fold long sides up and over box edge, smoothing with bone folder; press around corners. Fold short sides up and over; smooth with bone folder. Cement glass pane in box lid; weight down with book. Let dry according to instructions.

3. Line the box bottom with colored paper; secure with spray adhesive. Affix items in position with glue or wax. You can also line and mount small jewelry boxes and label.

Collection Box
A picture frame filled with seashells shows off their nuances of color and shape. Mount one kind of shell -- or as many types as you can find at your vacation spot this year. If you don't get to the beach, you can purchase shells instead.

Tools and Materials
Deep-sided picture frame
Ruler
Balsa wood
Utility knife
Double-sided tape
Decorative paper
Spray adhesive
Shells
Pencil
Craft glue or museum wax
Paper label (optional)
Brown-paper tape
Mounting hardware and picture wire (optional)

Collection Box How-To
Be sure your picture frame is deep enough to accommodate the contents.

1. Remove the cardboard or pressboard backing of the frame. Discard clips, if any. With a utility knife, cut four pieces of balsa wood to fit inside the frame (resting on its inside ridge, 1/8 inch shallower than its sides) to create a new inset for the backing; two pieces of balsa wood should be the length of the frame's interior and two slightly shorter than the width. Using double-sided tape, attach the four pieces inside the frame, starting with the longer pieces.

2. Cut a piece of decorative paper the size of the frame's backing. Affix the paper to the backing with spray adhesive. Arrange your shells on this surface; use small pencil dots to indicate their placement. Secure shells to paper with glue or wax. Let dry. If you like, use glue to affix a label, identifying the shells and indicating where and when you found them. Insert the backing into the frame, resting on the balsa wood. Tape backing to frame with brown-paper tape. Add mounting hardware to the wooden frame and picture wire for hanging, if desired.