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How to Frame Award Metals

Award medals often get tossed in a drawer or end up beneath the bed. Framing them within a shadow box is an effective way to display them and other memorabilia that either was collected from that day that the medal was won or throughout that year. The family can get in on the fun and make their own shadow boxes, also with things they have accomplished each year. Saving items all year to place in one big family New Year's Eve shadow box could become a family tradition. Shadow boxes have potential to bring lost items, memories and families together.

Things You'll Need

Shadow box frame
Hot glue gun
Hot glue sticks

Instructions

- 1
  Open the back of the shadow box frame by using the easy-open tabs.
- 2
  Plug in the hot glue gun and turn it on. Slide a glue stick into the gun.
- 3
  Place your award metal where you want to mount it on the shadow box backing. Let it rest in place while you check to see if the glue gun is ready. The nose of the gun should be warm to the touch.
- 4
  Pick up the award metal and place the nose of the glue gun against the shadow box backing where you want to mount the metal. Pull the trigger on the glue gun and allow a good amount of glue to come out.
- 5
  Press the metal onto the glue and hold it in to place until the glue cools. Gently remove your finger. The metal should remain in place.
- 6
  Lift the backing to test the hold of the glue. If the metal does not fall, then the backing is ready to be locked into place. Replace it into the back of the shadow box and replace the easy tabs to hold it into place.

Collecting Memorabilia