Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines [Paperback]

Kathy Cano-Murillo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002

Throughout history, human beings have kept physical reminders and mementos of loved ones, popular icons and significant life events. Shrines and shadow boxes - three-dimensional collages set into a box or housing - have become popular ways of collecting and displaying these meaningful objects as an artistic assemblage. This book offers ideas for 32 shrines and shadow boxes with themes ranging from personal expression to memory-keeping to historical tributes and celebrations. There is also a gallery of 10 more professionally designed works and tips for collecting the right materials for this type of creation.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564968952
• ISBN-13: 978-1564968951
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #790,204 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

People most know Kathy Cano-Murillo as The Crafty Chica. She has been profiled for her art and crafts in The New York Times, USA Today and NPR.

Kathy has been a writer longer than she has been a crafter, inspired in grade school by Erma Bombeck and Judy Blume. As an adult, Kathy went on to have a 13-year newspaper career at The Arizona Republic as an entertainment reporter, all while running her award-winning web site, CraftyChica.com. She has authored seven books including Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul and Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing.

In 2004, Kathy pursued her dream of writing a novel and finished her first draft for National Novel Writing Month. She wrote from 10 pm-2 am every night while her family slept, a tradition she still carries on to this day. Her manuscript sold in 2007 in a three-way bidding war to Grand Central Publishing.

Kathy's debut novel, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter released in March 2010 and her second, Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing in March 2011. She is currently writing her third book.

Kathy designs her own Crafty Chica product line through iLoveToCreate, a Duncan Enterprises Company, and she is also the Crafts Editor for BlogHer.com

Kathy's mission with her novels is to share stories about contemporary Latinas living and working in the creative arts. She lives in Phoenix, AZ, with her husband, two kids and five Chihuahuas. Her motto for life is "Crafts, drama and glitter".

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous ideas, and a lot of variety!, August 15, 2003

By 

Aisling D'Art "artist and author" (Portsmouth, NH USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines (Paperback)

I regularly teach classes about making art shrines, and this book provides glorious and diverse examples of what you can do with shrines and shadowboxes. If you've enjoyed scrapbooking and two-dimensional art but are ready to explore something with more visual contrast, drama and (literal) depth, this is a tremendous book to own. You'll refer to it often.

Really, I've been teaching shrine-making to other artists for over three years now, and I don't need to buy ho-hum books. I have enough great ideas in my head already. But, when I need a fresh source of inspiration or to broaden my approach to this kind of art, this book is wonderful.

Whether you're new to this form or art, or an experienced assemblage artist, I recommend this book.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True inspiration - Great jumping off from scrapbooking!, April 19, 2005

By 

C. Wallis Davenport "joyous2" (New York State) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines (Paperback)

I admit it, I bought this book as a whim. But I have always been fascinated with shadow boxes and shrines.

Holy cow! Was I in for a shock! There is so much more to it than I had ever imagined! Cano-Murillo shows such a myriad of shadow boxes and shrines that I had no idea was possible. It really opened the door to my imagination and got my juices flowing. I made a box about my memories of the NJ shore growing up, and one about my desire for a Chinese adoption. I'm now planning one to celebrate my 3 year old daughter.

This book has it all - enchanting shadow boxes that look like something from old England, bright exciting Mardi Gras style boxes, Hispanic style boxes, boxes made from toy cars, boxes made from cough drop cases, you name it - if it's a small hollowed out vessel, it can become a shrine of your hopes and memories. Cano-Murillo will help you develop your creativity and delve into your memories to create a shrine that reflects who you are.

A truly excellent book, with, I'll say it again, inspiring writing and words of wisdom, I truly feel this is an excellent book well worth investing in. Highest recommendation.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coming from a shrine making goddess..., January 5, 2003

By 

"carriemadrid74" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines (Paperback)

I was very impressed with this book. I have been making shrines and collage boxes (for personal, not commerical purposes) in all shapes and sizes for a few years now and have noticed how much this art form has come into the mainstream.
What I liked about this book is that it didn't fall into the usual rubber stamping and gift tag syndrome I see in so many art magazines and books. I like that all the designs and themes shown here are very original and innovative without the use of the entire stock of a scrap book store. I also like how there is a lot of text that goes into the meaning. This is one of those areas where you really have to know the history behind it before you start. First and foremost, shrine making is a way to heal and inspire yourself to better yourself. This showed healing without being hokey. But I have to say my all time favorite is that skeleton French cafe box (from Mexico's Day of the Dead holiday). I wish it would have had directions. Otherwise, I really have to say I picked up on a some new ideas in an area where I thought I had tried everything. I encourage EVERYONE to make a shrine or collage box, you won't regret the experience. This book is a great launchpad.