Light Box

I already have a light box so to speak - however it is on an upright angle so we are limited to what we can do on it.

We really like it – but there is so much more that can be explored on a flat table. However to purchase one is quite expensive. I have seen many cool light tables created by some of the great bloggers out there, but I tried to make one and I didn’t like my results – so I have now created one of my own designs.

I started with an old drawer I got from the reuse centre.

 The ugly front needed to come off…

…and so did the slider! Thanks handy hubby! J

Then I marked the inside of the drawer where I wanted mini shelf brackets to go. These are going to hold up my Plexiglas.

 Then hubby drilled the holes.  

 In went the brackets.

The first piece of Plexiglas I broke while cutting it to size! L

However a very nice man at a Plexiglas company donated a new piece! J

Clear is NOT a good choice for a light box so….  … I covered it with white tacky paper.

 It worked out awesome!

Then the sides needed to be addressed – they were yucky!

Even the drill holes could be seen – and not avoided.

So I covered them with tacky paper as well! This time wood grained pattern.

I popped in a tap light for now – but there will be a stronger one in later – but the overall look is awesome! J

The entire light box cost me:

-          $2 for the drawer

-          $5 for the brackets

-          $8 for the broken Plexiglas (next time I will just beg for free to begin with)

-          $2 for tacky paper.

For $17 I got a cool light box! So what do you think?

Update: So here are the lights I settled with - they are very bright and work great. I still have to secure them in the box. They are from an Ikea light system - I got it at a reuse centre for $2. So the entire light box is still under $20.

These are 25 watt bulbs.

It has an on off switch.

It produced a lot of light!

I am NOT endorsing the company where this product is sold - but this light socket would work awesome as well - they are sold at most craft stores to go in Christmas decorations etc. They have an on and off switch as well.
Darice-Cord-With-Light-White