If you’ve got a few extra craft supplies and a cute bee embellishment laying around, this is the perfect project to turn them into something giftable, sellable, or just downright adorable.
DIY Bee Shadow Box (With Supplies You Already Have!)
Today, we’re turning a simple 6”x6” wood panel into a bumble bee-themed shadow box using hot glue, ribbon, and a bit of paint. This project is quick, easy, and great for beginners. Best of all? It’s super budget-friendly and can be customized for any season or theme.
What You’ll Need:
- 6”x6” wood panel
- Bee embellishment
- Black DecoArt acrylic paint + paint brush
- Hot glue gun + glue sticks
- ⅞” yellow faux burlap ribbon (RC500529)
- Black textured ribbon or trim (ours came from a local fabric store)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Paint the background.
Start by painting the inside of your wood panel black. This creates a bold contrast for the bee and really makes the yellow pop. Let it dry completely before moving on.
Step 2: Add your bee.
Once the paint is dry, grab one of the bee embellishments and attach it to the center of the black background using hot glue.
Step 3: Add the ribbon trim.
Next, take your black decorative ribbon or trim and wrap it around the sides of the wood panel. This step adds a little texture and interest when the box is viewed from different angles.
Step 4: Make your bow.
Using the ⅞” yellow faux burlap ribbon, tie a simple bow and secure it at the top center of the panel with hot glue. We also layered ours with the same black trim from the sides for extra detail.
Step 5: Display or gift!
You can hang this little bee box on the wall, set it on a shelf, or even use it as part of a bee-themed tiered tray. It also makes a great handmade gift or product for spring and summer craft fairs.
Why This Project Is Perfect for Crafters
✅ It’s fast (less than 20 minutes!)
✅ It’s budget-friendly
✅ It’s made with common leftover supplies
✅ It’s great for seasonal inventory or handmade gifts
Tip: Have extra bugs, bunnies, or birds from old bundles? You can use this same wood panel method with any small embellishment to create a whole collection!
Bee Shadow Box
Materials
- 1 6”x6” unfinished wood panel
- 1 Bee embellishment Dz-Box D200652
- Black DecoArt paint
- Paint brush
- Hot glue + glue gun
- ⅞” yellow faux burlap ribbon RC500529
- Black fabric trim or ribbon
Instructions
- Paint the inside of the wood panel black and let it dry.
- Glue the bee to the center of the panel using hot glue.
- Wrap the outer sides of the panel with black ribbon or trim.
- Tie a bow using yellow ribbon and glue it to the top.
- Display, sell, or gift it!
Video
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