From the delicately articulated worlds of artist Joseph Cornell to simple collections of stones, twigs, and found objects from a child's pocket, shadow boxes are ideal for creating miniature universes that capture our imagination.

This moss-lined box is the perfect way to bring a bit of nature into the home to inspire us throughout the seasons. The addition of seedpods, twigs, dried flowers and even an insect carcass causes us to look more closely at the world around us. It is also fun to line the box with copies of topographical maps, geologic surveys and stones, or botanical drawings and dried herbarium specimens.

Materials:
Shadow box frame
Dried moss (e.g. reindeer moss, sheet moss)
Dried leaves, twigs, pods, pinecones, rocks, butterflies
Craft glue
Wire

Tools:
Scissors
Wire cutters

Directions:
1. Remove back from shadow box frame.

2. Tear piece of sheet moss to roughly the size of frame's back. Glue moss to frame's back

3. Tear pieces of moss to fit inner sides of shadow box. Glue moss to inner sides.

4. After glue has dried, arrange twigs, pods, pinecones and other natural elements into shadow box. Once arrangement is to your liking, attach elements to moss with glue and craft wire.

5. Replace the back of frame.

6. To prevent bleaching out of materials, display framed moss box out of direct sunlight.