How to display a tea brick?

August 13, 2007 6:24 AM

I need to figure out how to display a somewhat delicate tea brick in a shadow box I bought, without the brick disintegrating.

I have a really cool tea brick. It looks just like the second picture on that page, measures about 9" x 7" x 1", and weighs about a pound. I have a very nice shadow box in which I'd like to display said brick. The inside of the shadow box has a bit of padding, and came with black quilting pins to, uh, pin stuff with in that insufferable casual-trendy Pottery Barn sort of way. These pins, however, were designed for photos and are made to be seen, and I definitely don't want that.

I want the brick to sort of float in the middle of the shadow box, but I'm stumped as to how to achieve that. The brick is pressed tea, so I doubt straight-up glue will work -- while it's fairly sturdy, the tea does break away in little dust clusters fairly easily. Maybe a series of clipped pins, lying flush with the corners of the brick? I don't know. Suggestions?

posted by shiu mai baby to home & garden (5 comments total)

I would suggest some sort of L-clip, fastened to the back of the shadow box, around the back edges of the tea brick. The kind you get with those flat IKEA picture frame should work - just take off the very front lip that goes over the glass so it doesn't bite right into the brick. Or a plan old L-bracket from any hardware store I suppose.

Also, I'd suggest throwing in a packet of dessicant in there too, to keep the brick dry - I assume you want it to be dry.
posted by GuyZero at 6:54 AM on August 13, 2007

You're going to need to coat the brick in some kind of matte adhesive, if it isn't already. It's going to give it a bit of a lustre no matter what you do, but it needs to be sealed to protect it from humidity and bugs.

after it's sealed, I think you might attach two loops on the back top (like you might find on the back of a snapshot frame). You can get them at a craft store (Michaels, A.C. Moore etc.).

Shoot for the thinnest carpentry nails you can get for attaching the loops to the brick-- you want the inside of the brick to bear the weight, not just the back edge so make sure the nails will come within a centimeter or two of the front of the brick when driven in flush. The nails should be thin to minimize disturbing the structure of the brick. You might be able to drive them in just by pushing and twisting a bit. If not, drill guide holes with the thinnest bit you can find.

Before you drive in the nails, cut out a cardboard backing for the brick, because the screws you hang it on might eventually erode the back through vibration.

Put two screws into the shadow box to hang the loops from, and put another two towards where the bottom on the brick will be to make it hang parallel to the back.

If you're not at all worried about it being seen from low angles, you could just attach some L-shaped brackets to the back of the box and rest the brick on it. You won't need to modify the brick at all and it's easy, but it's not as aesthetically perfect.
posted by Mayor Curley at 7:08 AM on August 13, 2007

I know a plate hanger would be visible, but there are types that are decorative and might work well with your brick. One could be mounted on the back of your shadow box and hold your brick nicely and securely without messing it up in any way. You also might be able to modify one of the wire types so that it doesn't show much.

I never sealed my brick and have had no issue with humidity or bugs. It's sat on my mantle in my apartment (which lacks central air) for almost 3 years. Maybe I've just lucked out? The brick's not changed in any way. It's not even gotten dusty. I just put mine on a little plate stand, like so.
posted by FortyT-wo at 7:42 AM on August 13, 2007

Thanks so much for all the replies.

MC: So the process should be 1) spray adhesive, 2) cardboard backing, 3) small picture loops attached with thin carpentry nails, correct?

Seeing as this thing has sat on the top shelf of my closet for the last, oh, seven years or so, I'm not terribly worried about bugs or moisture, but it wouldn't hurt to seal it, all the same.
posted by shiu mai baby at 9:31 AM on August 13, 2007

right, and 4) is putting the screws for hanging in the back of the box along with one or two below them to keep the bottom of the brick from swaying towards the back of the box.
posted by Mayor Curley at 11:41 AM on August 13, 2007