Shelf Self-Help

Capturing the Beauty
Is it time to childproof those Hummel, Precious Moments, Willow Tree, or other fragile figurines? Collecting and displaying delicate treasures, once known as bric-a-brac, became popular in the Victorian era, and the Renaissance era is credited for the first curio case designs. Today's curio cabinets and cases are usually arranged with smaller items toward the top. Collections with various-sized pieces are on shelves by size and/or theme, or with a larger piece in the center and smaller pieces surrounding it.

In Memorial The folded flags presented to families of deceased veterans and those who died in service are memorials of honor and service. Each flag is folded 13 times to form a triangle displaying only the Union, signifying their fight for freedom. There are two kinds of flag display cases: one displays only the folded flag, and the other displays the flag with medals, ribbons, and badges from the service man/woman's military career. All are placed in an orderly manner by importance, beginning with medals.

Childhood Memories
There are display cases to preserve Holiday Barbie, Matchbox car collections, volleyballs, footballs, soccer balls, softballs, and even the out-of-bounds baseball snatched at the Cubs game. Childhood moments from the first baby shoes to her first pointed shoes can all be locked away in collectible cases and mounted on walls, or placed on decorative shelves. Often only one item occupies these display cases.

Bric-a-brac and More
Shadow boxes are a unique way to preserve and display small family heirlooms from your great-grandmother's broach, or great-grandpa's favorite Meerschaum pipe displayed on a rich velvet background, to ticket stubs and programs from a Beatles or Stones concert, or movie ticket stubs from that first date, when $2 paid admission for two and bought popcorn, pop, and candy. They say that one man's garbage is another man's treasure. Arranging one's treasures is left to creative genius.