Quick Craft: Make A POP Figure Display Shelf From Foam Board!

One of your most requested tutorials last week was for more POP figure display options, and I feel your pain, guys. I don't even consider myself a POP collector, and they still multiply like rabbits over here.

So the other night John and I slapped together one of our easiest projects yet - perfect for not-so-crafty types - and I think you're gonna liiiiike it!

BAM. 

One POP display, total material cost around $5, total build time less than 2 hours. You can do this.

 

I've sized this display to hold 12 average-sized POPs, and to fit a 13 inch square space, so it should work in most standard bookcases and shelves. You can also build multiple units and set them side by side for a much longer display.

And funnest of all: IT LIGHTS UP!! Don't the figures look like they're on stage? Plus the mirrored backing helps combat shadows in deep shelves.

SO LETS MAKE ONE.

For each display shelf, you will need:

- 1 sheet of foam core board (I used black)

- 1 sheet of mirrored/chrome scrapbook paper (available at Michaels)

- hot glue (or white craft glue)

- spray adhesive (or white craft glue)

- [optional] one strand of small lights:

We used these because they were mega cheap (less than $3), but I'd recommend LEDs with a wall plug, so you can set it up on a timer instead of bothering with a switch. Short strands of LED Christmas lights would be perfect - and imagine all the color possibilities!

If you choose to install lights, you'll also need a Dremel or drill with a small bit, OR a small hole punch. (My Crop-A-Dile's smaller hole was perfect, but it does scuff up the foam board a bit, so test yours first.)


Step 1: Print out the following pages at 100% - because AW YEAH JOHN MADE Y'ALL A TEMPLATE -  tape them together to form one piece, & then trace it onto your foam board.
 

Here are the lines on my foam board:

Of course, since I didn't HAVE the template yet, I had to do this one the hard way. Blurg.

Trace and cut two of those side pieces using a craft blade/knife.

Step 2: Next print this template for the shelves and risers:

Print two of this page, so you can connect the pieces at the dotted lines for the full length.

Step 3: Trace and cut two three shelves, two risers, and one skinny bottom riser from your foam core:

Step 4: Avengers CRAFTERS, assemble! Start with the shelves, and attach with hot glue:

 (You could also use craft glue for this - it'll just take a lot longer.)

Even without the extra support of the risers the stand is still pretty strong at this point:

See?

Step 5: If you're installing lights, drill/punch holes for those now, before you glue in the risers.

You can just eyeball the spacing, or do the math and measure like John did. Your choice. Just make sure the holes are snug enough to hold the bulbs without glue or tape.

 Step 6: Cover the risers with the mirrored paper:

(Luckily the fingerprints buff out.)

Note that the mirrored paper is an inch too short, so you'll have a seam. I positioned it so the seam would be behind one of the figures, but either way, odds are you'll never notice it when you're done.

Step 6a: Stop to take a picture of your cat falling asleep on Fluttershy's head:

Terrible picture, but d'awwwwww.

Step 7: Use more hot glue to install all the risers (including the small non-mirrored one on the front):

...aaaaand you're done!

Don't stress if some of your foam board lines don't line up quite right, because believe me when I say I don't have a straight line anywhere on mine. Srsly. It is embarrassingly wonky. But with all the figures in place, you really can't tell, right? (Uh, right? .... guys?)

You can set your display anywhere, but if you happen to have 13 inch square cube shelving like I do, then it looks especially cool:

You can tape more mirrored paper to the back of the cube to brighten up that top row, if you like.

Here you can really see the mirrored paper doing its thang:

(Sorry these pics are so dark; as always, I was crafting at night & too impatient to wait 'til the next day for photos.)

Keep in mind these deco lights are almost purely decorative; they really don't shed much light:

So if you want more bang for your bulb [heh], definitely go with something bigger, like LED Christmas lights. Just make sure they're LEDs. Regular bulbs give off way too much heat, and could be dangerous so close to paper products.

 Here's how it looks from a distance:

 

(We won't be keeping these here; it's just the best bookshelf I had for photos.) 

(And I just realized my 3 volume set of Calvin & Hobbes is upside down. Oops.)

(Now stop reading the rest of our book titles! I know you're doing it! :p)

Hope this helps you collectors out there corral more of your POP figures and toys! I firmly believe every collection deserves a nice display, since you can't fully appreciate your treasures unless you can SEE them. So go forth, and display thy goodies, fellow geeks!

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