Ihave a confession to make. I make a special effort to add to the kitchen junk drawer. I toss in matchbooks from nightclubs, notes from my kids, cool pieces of wrapping paper, punker pins, pretty sugar packets from vacations, trinkets, minidolls, postcards and - whew! - any other small items I come across.

This habit doesn't come out of laziness or lack of organization. It comes from the thrill of emptying the drawer after a couple of months and sorting through it to find a theme for a funky shadow box.

If you are a structured person who colors within the lines, this still is the project for you. It's a way to cut loose and make art in a fun, free-form fashion. And if you are loca - like me - you will appreciate the idea as another way to express your personality.

Most of the items from this box came from Hawaiian knickknacks I collected a few years back. I have yet to go to Maui, but at least I have a fabulous art piece for my home. And it's a creative way to clean the junk drawer.
Junk Drawer Wall Shrine (hula style)
Supplies
• 1 large wood box, wood fruit crate or old junk drawer
• Sandpaper
• Acrylic paints, brushes
• Adhesives: Hot glue, industrial strength, white craft glue, and double stick tape
• Decorative paper
• Assorted knickknacks
• Trims

Directions: If you are using a recycled wood box, sand it to soften rough edges. Paint the box in whatever color you like. Let dry. Use white craft glue or double-stick tape to affix paper to the back of the box. Sort your items according to size. Find one or two that will be the focal point. Arrange the other objects to your liking and then hot glue them in place, leaving room for the larger pieces (or vice versa, whichever way works best for you). Add painted decorations, trims or objects to the top and sides of the box.

Tips: If you are missing components for your box, visit a thrift or discount store to buy filler objects, or check out a paper-arts store for colorful papers, trims and findings.


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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, home decor, inside, multi-culti