How to make an icon case with your own hands? Step-by-step instruction. Measuring an icon: six simple Kyota rules for DIY wooden icons

07.01.2024

Instructions

It is customary to cover icon boards with frames not only for decoration, but also for better preservation of the writing on them. After all, Old Russian ones are exposed to the aggressive effects of the modern atmosphere, ultraviolet radiation, humidity, and dust. Only specialist restorers have the right to remove frames from famous icons.

Previously, vestments were made of silver and gold, decorated with beads, pearls, and precious stones. Settings were one of the types of applied art and became an integral feature of the Russian church. In religion, shining vestments are the light emanating from the icon. Silver signifies purity of clothing, and gold signifies God's grace. The images of the most significant icons consist exclusively of pearls. This is why salaries and vestments so often become objects of desire for scammers and thieves.

Salaries can be solid or stacked. Solid (armored) chasubles are embossed, with a convex pattern. Stacked chasubles consist of several parts fastened together.

Icons of Christians and Catholics are made into frames. You can make a beautiful setting for a home icon yourself from threads, beads,... Prepare a wooden frame that is the same size as your icon. Stretch the canvas over it, attach it with buttons to the side strips.

Using tracing paper, draw the outline of the face and hands of your icon. Transfer the drawing to the canvas.

Come up with a beautiful design for the salary. Embroider it with bright colored threads. The embroidery style depends on your desire. You can embroider with satin stitch, cross stitch or beads. Do not embroider in places where the face and hands of the icon will be visible. Decorate the crown of the chasuble with beads.

Carefully cut out the places of the face and hands of the icon. Secure the edges of the canvas with PVA glue. Let the glue dry.

Remove the frame from the frame, carefully place it on, aligning all the cuts. Secure the frame to the back of the icon with tape or glue. Place or hang the icon with frame in place.

Helpful advice

Always follow the rules for storing icons. Do not expose them to sudden changes in temperature, protect them from bright sunlight and drafts, do not place them on the floor, inspect the icons more often to detect damage in a timely manner. Remember, icons bring goodness and faith.

For a believer, an icon is an indispensable attribute of life. Icons illuminate the house, because a Christian’s house is a symbol of the temple of God, and each church has its own sacred altar. In the house, such an altar is a red corner with icons. They say that a house without images is like without windows. Here's what you should know and keep in mind when decorating your home with icons.

Instructions

The red corner is the most important and honorable place in the house. Here they are placed in a shrine or icon case - a special open cabinet or shelf with a lamp. The icons must stand, they are not worth it. The goddess must be wooden. It is often decorated with a special long and narrow woven towel made of homespun canvas - a bozhennik, which covers the icons from above and from the sides, but does not cover the faces of those depicted in the images. The god at the ends was usually decorated with embroidery.

Another way to decorate icons is a chasuble or frame. This is an overlay decoration that covers the entire icon board over a layer of paint, except for the hands and faces, for which slits are made. Rizas can be gold, silver, brass, copper, embroidered, decorated with enamel, colored glass and upholstered in velvet on the inside.

Measure the dimensions of the icons. Design the icon case properly: draw an isometric drawing and add dimensions. Draw a sketch of decorative elements.

Prepare pine or linden to make a shrine. Make the frame of the icon case from pine, and decorative elements from linden

An icon case is a special design for an icon, which in appearance resembles a wooden box. It is designed to protect the image from mechanical influences, changes in temperature and humidity, drafts, candle soot and other negative factors. Properly created conditions make it possible to preserve the icon for many years, make it a family heirloom, and pass it on to inheritance.

In addition, a carved wooden icon will fit perfectly into any interior and decorate a temple, chapel, or home.

Where can I get an icon case? There are several options: the simplest and most convenient is to order its production from specialists or buy a ready-made version. More labor-intensive, but economical - to do it yourself.

If you are not looking for easy ways and have golden hands, then choose the second option. In this article we will tell you how to make the simplest icon case with your own hands.

Tools and materials for making an icon case:

First you need to prepare certain materials and tools for the job.

Sample set of tools:

Approximate list of materials:

frame of the icon case made of wood (the easiest way is to buy a ready-made baguette);
wooden slats for the side walls of the icon case;
a backdrop for which both plywood and hardboard are suitable;
fittings, you will need nails and screws of different types, hinges for attaching the door and a fastener;
cord for laying between the door and the drawer itself;
glue for wooden parts and cord fastening;
wood putty;
sealant;
glass;
oil, varnish or stain to coat the finished product.

Manufacturing stages:

Stage 1. Preparatory:

Before starting work, you should decide on the size of the icon case and make a drawing. It must be taken into account that due to uneven drying of paint and wood, the icon can change its size, geometric shape, and become deformed. It is important to think through the drawing in such a way as to provide sufficient space for the holy image and leave gaps.

Stage 2. Manufacturing of the icon box:

Next, you need to build the base of the icon case, which consists of four planks. Cut out the bars of the required size and sand the edges. We fasten the resulting parts together using self-tapping screws, and apply wood glue at the point of contact of the bars. To give the product a more aesthetic appearance, you can treat the joints with wood putty.

Stage 3. Making the backdrop:

Cut out a rectangle for the backdrop. We take into account that the back part must be made 2-3 mm smaller than the outer contour of the product, this will help hide the protruding edges and give the creation a more neat look. We nail the backdrop to the icon case using small nails.

Stage 4. Door frame:

The frame is the front part, which must be done extremely carefully, since the slightest flaws will be immediately visible. It is best to make a frame that is slightly larger in size than the icon box. This solution will help hide the inevitable flaws of handmade work, such as unsightly joints.

If you bought a baguette, then you need to cut it exactly at 45 degrees; a miter box will do the best job with this task. We glue the finished parts together and, if necessary, cover the defects with putty.

Stage 5. Assembly:

Assembly is the most exciting stage. We place the hinges with one side to the icon box, and the other to the frame. Install a miniature clasp. Don't forget to glue a cord under the door, it acts as a seal.

Stage 6. Glass:

When the frame is ready, you can safely cut out the glass part. Place the washed and dry glass in the frame and secure it with sealant.

Stage 7. Trying on:

If the icon does not hold well enough in its house, then you can fix it with ordinary cardboard. In many antique icon cases and in custom-made products, a special internal frame is provided for these purposes.

Make it yourself or buy ready-made?

As you can see, it is possible to make an icon case with your own hands, but it is quite difficult and will take a lot of time and effort. However, no one guarantees a positive result. Moreover, if you want to get a truly reliable, beautiful and high-quality icon case, it is better to entrust such delicate work to professionals.

In our workshop you can buy a ready-made icon case, or order its production according to your sizes and requirements. You are guaranteed to receive an excellent product of the highest quality made from solid wood or MDF.

Our company has been specializing in the production of carved products for more than 10 years, including for religious purposes: icons, icon cases, iconostases (including small iconostases for the home), religious panels, special shelves for storing icons, etc. We cooperate with many churches and temples. Call! You can trust us!

In the photo: icon cases made by our specialists.

Exclusively for the site “Buy Antiques!”!

Any copying of materials is prohibited!

06/12/2014.

Maxim Burmistrov,

publicist, collector, expert, traveler.

Have you collected everything and bought it? Then: with God!
If you are not scared by the lists of tools and materials that we have listed, then you can get to work.
We also want to say a few words about organizing work at home. For several hours, and maybe even days, one of the rooms in your apartment or house will turn into a workshop, it is better if it is a spacious and non-residential room, where you can calmly turn around with long materials, knock, saw, drill and stink. It’s ideal if you have a special workbench for carrying out work; if not, you can use a regular table, just so you don’t get kicked out of the house if you accidentally cut it with a hacksaw or drill a couple of holes! Work slowly, check your movements so as not to break an ancient Chinese vase from the Yan Dynasty, or not to pierce a new leather sofa with a drill.
Work for pleasure and of course, handle icons especially carefully and carefully- after all, everything is started in order to save them, and not to cripple them!

Where do we start? From the drawing!
That's right, the first thing to do is make a simple drawing! To do this, you take the icon, place it on the table and use a tape measure to measure the height, width and... no, Not thickness!
An ancient icon, as a rule, bends. This occurs due to uneven drying of the wood and the paint base. You need to measure not only the thickness of the wooden board, but also the height of the deflection, that is, measure the distance from the table surface to the top point of the icon’s deflection.
Let's say this distance is 40 mm, which means for the side of the icon case You will need a rack section 15 x 45 mm, or even section 15 x 50 mm, but a section 15 x 40 mm will no longer be desirable, since the main condition for storing icons is their freedom inside the icon case, since "breathing" icon, changes shape and linear dimensions, and if during its “breathing” it hits the lid or the side walls, it can burst, crack, in a word, then your work will not help, but will do harm.
Pay attention to the geometry of the icon, it may not be rectangular in shape, but rhombic or even trapezoidal, in addition, it may have a diagonal bend (that is, lying on the table it will have not 4, but only three points of support).
Considering all these factors You must understand and draw up a drawing so that inside the icon case there is a reserve on the sides and in front of the icon, so that it feels good under the glass and is placed evenly, not lopsided.
It is enough to provide gaps of 5 mm on each side to fully guarantee the safety and freedom of the icon.

The file squealed!
Can't wait to saw? Now! After you have taken the dimensions of the icon, it is better to take it away and put it away so as not to accidentally damage it during the work.
Now you need to draw a drawing of the icon case itself. It consists of four pine planks, which you will fasten with glue and screws.
On paper right away mark all the dimensions of the bars, check again whether you measured everything correctly, it’s very easy to make a mistake here, since the bars are attached “overlay” and It is necessary to take into account that the internal dimensions of the icon case are observed in accordance with the dimensions of the icon.

NOTE.
If you have more than one icon, then immediately measure them and draw up drawings - this is how you will organize a “conveyor” and speed up your small home production!

Making an icon case.
We have the drawing, let's get to work! We saw the bars to size and sand the edges. When marking the bars, use a corner - the cut will be accurate and even!
The finished bars are fastened with self-tapping screws. To do this, be sure to drill them and accurately connect them (it is better to do this on the table; you can secure the bars with clamps when fastening them together), fasten them with self-tapping screws, and first apply wood glue at the point of contact between the bars.
The joints of the bars may not look very aesthetically pleasing, and here you wood putty will come to the rescue. When it dries (and it dries quickly), it is also sanded and it is processed perfectly.

In the photo: the base of the icon case is ready!

In the photo: the joint of the sides of the icon case - both the self-tapping screw and the already sanded joint, previously filled with wood putty, are visible.

Backdrop.
We make the backdrop of the icon from hardboard. In a house where people like to create something with their own hands, there are always a couple of pieces of hardboard lying around, suitable for making the back of an icon case.
In general, for this you can use thin three-layer plywood, even this will be better, but plywood is more difficult to work with and it costs more and there may not be pieces in the house. But it’s up to you to choose, there’s hardboard - great, there’s plywood - even better!
If you have hardboard, then it is convenient not to saw out a piece of the required size, but to cut it with a knife using a metal ruler. It is enough to make a couple of cuts and then break the hardboard, sanding the unevenness of the cut with sandpaper or an abrasive mesh.
The main thing in making a backdrop is the accuracy of the markings! Make markings along the metal corner-ruler so that the backdrop is strictly in the shape of a rectangle!
When you assemble the walls of the icon case, then, as a rule, the icon box will have a slightly different shape from the rectangular one. This is due to minor inaccuracies in cutting parts, in the displacement of screws during assembly, and so on.
So that's it the accuracy of the backdrop will help, when attaching it to the side wall structure, correct the situation and make the icon case rectangular!
The backdrop should be made 2-3 mm smaller in size than the size of the outer contour of the icon case, so you will visually hide it from view, the edge of the backdrop will not be visible, the icon case will look aesthetically pleasing.
We attach the backdrop to the icon case using ordinary small iron nails - there is nothing complicated here, the only thing is that we do not forget to align the walls of the icon case with the edges of the backdrop so that the icon case turns out to be an absolutely correct rectangular shape.

In the photo: we mark the outline of the backdrop using a metal corner-ruler, then cut along the line with a knife and break the hardboard.

In the photo: we nail the backdrop to the icon case with ordinary furniture iron nails. Please note that the size of the backdrop is smaller than the external size of the icon case - now the ends of the backdrop will not be visible when viewing the icon in the icon case.

Door frame.
The frame is the visual part of the icon case, so when making it you will have to strain all your aesthetic inclinations and mobilize all your natural neatness.
The size of the frame is larger than the size of the icon case. Why did we choose this design? Let's explain! The fact is that no matter how hard you try, the side surfaces of the icon case may not look as beautiful as you would like. The same joints, for example, can spoil the look. If you make the door frame the same size as the icon case, then all these flaws will be visible.
If you make the door larger, visually all the flaws will fade into the background, the gaze will be focused only on the front side of the icon case - that is, on the frame.
How to calculate the size of the door frame? It’s also simple: add 4-5 mm to the overhang on each side, and you’ll get the desired external size of the door frame. For example, if the external size of the icon case is 20 x 30 centimeters, then the external size of the door frame will be 20.8 x 30.8 cm, or 21 x 31 cm.
You will have to make parts for the frame by sawing the baguette at an angle of 45 degrees. This is the most difficult operation in creating an icon case, believe me. But don’t be afraid, and if you use a miter box for sawing, everything will turn out great!
After the parts are ready, they need to be glue. To do this, they are laid out on a flat surface (on a table, for example, or on the floor) and, after applying a sufficient amount of glue to each joint, they are connected.
Why do we recommend using Moment acrylic glue? Because. That it is thick, like putty, and does not deform when it dries. When connecting the parts you will probably find that cracks form in joints, often very significant. Don’t be alarmed by this - using Moment glue you can fix all this: just add more of it to the joints when gluing and remove the excess! It will act as both glue and putty., there will be no gaps!
Remove excess glue from parts, tables, hands and tools immediately - after the glue dries, this will be difficult to do.
You can also deal with the resulting cracks using wood putty, but after the frame is completely glued.

IMPORTANT!
When connecting frame parts, you must immediately align them using a straight edge. You must maintain both the exact linear dimensions of the frame and its rectangular geometry!

In the photo: you can clearly see the joint of the frame parts sawn at an angle of 45 degrees and how much the frame protrudes beyond the limits of the icon case.

We attach the door frame to the icon case.
Well here we are We are approaching the exciting moment - assembly. We attach miniature hinges to the icon case, put a frame-door on top of it and mark with a sharp pencil where the hinges on the frame should be located. Then we fasten the hinges to the frame with self-tapping screws.
If everything worked out correctly, then the frame should close without distortion relative to the icon case.
Next, we attach the “box” clasp and attach it using brass nails.

IMPORTANT! Before marking the mounting holes, be sure to lay a cord under the door - the same one that will act as a seal! It can be glued using Moment glue, but only this time with rubber glue.

Is everything attached and glued? Great! Now we turn the icon case over and attach the hanger to the reverse side, if you decide to hang the icon using it, and if not, then you need to drill a hole in the backdrop.

In the photo: attaching the hinges to the icon case and to the frame, as well as the laid and glued cord (we laid it in a double loop.

In the photo: an option for attaching a “box” latch.

In the photo: a suspension attached to the back of the icon case.

Glass.
When you have your frame ready, You can already cut glass. If you doubt the correctness of your measurements, you can show up at the glass workshop along with the frame.
Finished glass before inserting into the door frame, need to be washed thoroughly. Place clean, dry glass in the frame and secure it along the edge using sealant. Excess sealant must be removed immediately; this is best done with your finger.
After the glass is coated, we leave everything alone until the sealant has completely dried.

We admire it!
Well, the icon case is ready! We put an icon in it and - oh horror! She's hanging there, not holding on! What to do???
No problem! Indeed, you made an icon case, but without inner frame, which was present in most ancient icon cases, is also present in some icon cases made to order today.
To fix the icon inside the icon case, use ordinary packaging cardboard - it is usually left over from the purchase of televisions, furniture, or parcels. You cut a strip to the height of the icon case, the width of which is slightly greater than the depth of the icon case and bend (fold) the strip in half, or even create a profile that repeats the letter “P” in cross-section. You make two of these U-shaped elements and insert them on the sides of the icon. If everything was done correctly, they will not be visible in the finished icon case, but the icon will receive a reliable fixation and will look perfect!
Now that’s all, really, you can carefully hang the icon on the wall, or put it on a shelf!

In the photo: a version of a ready-made icon case, made at home (wide baguette of light golden color).

In the photo: a version of a ready-made icon case, made at home (a narrow brown baguette with a natural texture and gold trim).

It's only scary at first glance!
Now you know how to make an icon case with your own hands. At first glance, it’s complicated, but in fact, everything is very, very simple, and in two days, for example, we made not one, but three icon cases, but we could have built all four, because when the work is put into production, it goes easier and faster than when you make each icon case separately.
Let’s now take a look at the economic basis for making one icon case in order to understand whether it’s worth doing. So, the cost of the components:
250 rub. - slats for the icon case
300 rub. - baguette
50 rub. - hardboard
100 rub. - acrylic glue
70 rub. - rubber glue
100 rub. - sealant
15 rub. - cord
40 rub. - brass and iron nails
20 rub. - box clasp
40 rub. - loops
20 rub. - suspension
70 rub. - glass
___________________________________
1075 rub. - Total (if we added these numbers correctly, of course).

The savings are quite noticeable, aren't they?
And if you understand how to make an icon case with your own hands, then feel free to get down to business, it’s worth it!

Mother Rus' has always been famous for its craftsmen and folk craftsmen. Icon painters were especially revered. An icon is a shrine, for the production of which it was necessary to receive a blessing in the church. Now this rule is not so strictly observed, but, nevertheless, when making an icon with your own hands, you must strictly follow certain commandments. This is a symbol of Faith in God, so you must read the prayer and, with God’s help, get to work.

People come to God in different ways. Some feel the need to paint icons after a long illness, when the Almighty granted healing. The main thing is that this is not blasphemy.

How to make an icon with your own hands from a photograph

There are many options for transferring photo icons to a wooden surface. The easiest way is to print using a printer on a well-treated wooden surface.

But the most valuable crafts are those made by a person with his own hands. He puts his soul, skill, and energy into them.

Here are several options for applying an image from a photo to a wooden surface:

A photograph of the icon “Mother of God with a baby in her arms” is printed on a paper backing using a laser printer. Take clean plywood or a wooden plank cut to the size of the photograph.

The surface of the wood is smeared with diluted PVA glue at the rate of 3 parts glue and 1 part water. This is done so that the glue is absorbed into the wood texture.

The photograph is applied face down to the surface of the board and carefully smoothed so that there are no air voids. You can use a sponge for this. You need to smooth it very carefully so as not to tear the photo.

Leave to dry for 8-10 hours. The surface should be moistened with water and the paper should be gently wiped away from the image. Varnish the image.

Some people use parchment for printing in order not to rub off the paper. The technique is the same, only after wetting the parchment comes off completely as a sheet, leaving the image on the wood.

You can stick photos printed on paper to a hard surface. There are a lot of options.

How to make an antique icon

We will make the icon “Mother of God with Hand” on a tree:

A wooden board or plywood is covered with stain.
After drying, a layer of white paint is applied.
You can then coat it with silver or gold paint.
A thin layer of red paint is applied, but this is done if desired. You can leave it as is. The gold or silver base should show through the layer of red paint.
Apply newspaper to wet paint and quickly remove.
This needs to be done several times. This gives an “aging” effect.
On top you need to apply a thin layer of gilding and varnish again.
After drying, the cut out image of the icon is pasted on. You can apply the previous gluing methods.
Everything is covered with a layer of transparent varnish.

This is a miraculous icon that gives people healing from many diseases.

Beaded icons

Many people ask how to make an icon with their own hands using beads. There is nothing complicated about this:

Handicraft stores sell excellent ready-made kits for bead embroidery on fabric. The icon “With a Baby in Her Arms” is especially popular.
There are many images, you need to choose the one to which your soul is drawn.
When embroidering with beads, the picture is printed on canvas with a ready-made pattern.
The beads have also already been selected.
The embroidery technique is described in detail.
A special thin needle is included.
Beads need to be scattered into special small containers, which are sold in the same store. Each color will have its own lockable cell.
It is convenient to embroider on a special hoop.
It is important to have good lighting.

This work will bring a lot of joy and happiness. Gradually, the icon will come to life under your skillful hands, shimmering with magnificent beads. To begin with, you need to learn a simple technique, and then, as your skill grows, you can master more complex methods.

Believe me, after embroidering one icon, you will want to continue working. This is a lifelong passion.

Think about it, it’s not for nothing that your soul reached out to God. This means it is necessary. Embroidery will give peace of mind and joy. Gradually, the tormenting fears and worries will go away, because you already have a purpose and meaning.

When reading prayers, thoughts come into harmony, worries recede away. Internal attitude is very important. You need to ask the saints for help and healing for yourself and your loved ones. Your prayers will be heard and you will receive comfort.

The finished embroidered icon must be beautifully decorated. It is better to give it to professionals in a framing workshop. The icon must be consecrated in the church. If you wish, you can ask for a blessing.

But, if you do not embroider the face and hands, but only the background and clothes, then permission is not required for this. This is necessary when embroidering with threads, when the entire icon with the image of saints is embroidered.

You can give the icon as a gift or keep it.

Photos of icons with your own hands

An icon case is not just a decoration for an icon. It has an ancient history and carries a semantic and functional load. Even in ancient times, representatives of different religions used icon cases to store all kinds of relics and scrolls. They protected objects from dust and moisture, thereby extending their life. Today, an icon case is a frame of icons that can be seen in a church temple. A special atmosphere is created inside it, which prevents any negative impact of the environment on the sacred image. In addition, one look at such a handmade masterpiece as an icon case awakens respect not only for religion, but also for the skillful hands of man, his ingenuity, skill, imagination and spirituality.

Types of icon cases

The icon case can be wall-mounted or floor-mounted. It depends on where exactly the icon is located. As a rule, in most churches you can see portable icon cases or, as they are also called, cabinets in the form of pencil cases or boxes, which are designed to store holiday icons on the central lectern. They can be completely closed or open.

Often, in addition to framing, glass is used. This icon case is intended for especially valuable images. An icon case can be quite simple, without glass or any decorations. But in churches, as a rule, there are beautiful icon cases, richly decorated with carvings. The style of the temple, the expediency of decorating a specific sacred image, as well as its location determine how the icon cabinet will be decorated.

What should a proper icon case be like?

To make a high-quality and durable frame for an icon, you need to know several important nuances. The most important thing is the space between the glass and the image, which should remain after the icon is inserted into the icon case. It should be two or three centimeters. To fix the icon inside the icon case, use wooden blocks, corrugated cardboard or thick paper.

The icon case is also the protection of the icon. Therefore, to preserve the holy face for many years, glass is used, not plastic. The latter bends over time, which negatively affects the condition of the image. In addition, harmful bacteria and mold develop under the plastic, which destroys the paint.

What do you need to know to make an icon case at home?

An icon case for an icon can be made at home. It's not as difficult as it seems at first glance. To do this, you need to stock up on wooden boards, carpentry tools, glass and fittings. You also need to purchase stain, varnish and paint. First of all, you need to decide for which icon the icon case will be made, and where it will be installed. The lighting of the location of the icon case should also be taken into account. Based on all this, you need to choose a future color shade to frame the image. You also need to clarify what kind of shrine the shrine will be, floor or tabletop. Another important point is the number of images that will be placed in the icon case.

The first stage of making the icon case

To make an icon case with your own hands, you need to measure the dimensions of the icon. Next, you need to properly design the icon case: make a drawing and put down the dimensions. After this, you can start drawing a sketch of the decorative elements. The best wood for making a shrine is considered to be pine or linden. You can use pine for the frame of the icon case, and linden for the decorative carving elements. A home icon case can be made from birch, ash or fruit tree wood.

There should be an air gap between the icon itself and the glass door, which is equal to the sum of the thickness of the icon board and the protruding part of the dowels. The main thing is that this value is at least two centimeters. The keys should not rest against the walls of the icon case. A gap of one centimeter is usually left between the edge of the dowel and the wall of the shrine.

Second phase

When making a decoration such as an icon case with your own hands, it is necessary to take into account the bending of the warped board from which the image is made. In the inner frame of the wooden shrine, a figured cutout should be made for this bend. The margin should be up to two centimeters. Next, you need to glue a velvet strip inside the wooden cabinet. After all, the holy face should not come into contact with the icon case. Otherwise, the icon board may jam.

After these manipulations, it is necessary to fix the icon in the icon case. This is done using small wooden blocks or thick cardboard inserts. At this stage you can insert the glass. The next step is to cover the icon case with stain, and then with a layer of varnish or paint. Ready. The fittings can be installed. We should not forget that the icon case is not only a decoration for the icon. He protects the holy image, which must be treated with due respect. By making an icon case, you can protect an icon that is valuable not only materially, but also spiritually, from the adverse effects of the environment.