Banksy Box ver.1

A lit-up box picture frame.  Simple but awesome.  I'm choosing to use it for stencil based artwork(Graffiti Mostly).  The simple shapes and lack of color suit the project very well.  This is V.1 because I'm already working on versions 2 and 3.  Having given this one away as a gift, I need some more for my house and I am currently underway making more.   If you like this idea and thinks its the coolest thing ever done with 12 LEDs and a printer, please vote for me in the Holiday Gifts contest.   TOP RIGHT CORNER  Or follow this link. 

Step 1: Parts & Tools

Parts:

Sheets of Vellum paper
Box or Shadow picture frame
12 LEDs( or more)
Wire
Power supply(regulated 5volts or Old Cell Phone Charger)
220-500ohm resistors(You do the math)
6 sticks hot glue

Tools:

Printer
Solder Iron
Ruler
Drill
Glue Gun

Comments

[Grissini]

Updates...... I'm made one that I can keep now with upgrades. This one uses a LiPo battery, AdaFruit's charging breakout board and a switch to turn it on and off. The wiring is cleaner and the picture frame is thicker.  I also added 6 more LEDs to this one.  

[poofrabbit]

This is great! I love Banksy, I know there are artist that don't but there is something so deep and peaceful about what he does, I just love it. Well that and sometimes even tho I know he's made a stencil and he's using spray paint, it's awesome some of the size and detail in his work! Anyway, I love this, nice job!

[ilpug]

Inspired by this, I decided to make a basic light box, merely because I have all the materials and very little electronics experience. Pics when finished!

[Grissini]

I look forward to seeing it. 

[mbonnin]

How much current does your circuit consume ? You might save some power and battery life using a constant current LED driver and removing the resistors.

[Grissini]

300mA, give or take. I've never used a constant current driver. But I'll be sure to look it up and let ya know. My first guess and inclination is that it'll have thick caps that'll make my circuitry thicker than it can be. But I'll definitely check it. Thanks.

[mbonnin]

The thing is that you waste some power inside the resistors. On the other hand, you might waste some inside the LED driver as well.
One candidate would be the TPS61042. It's something I want to try for a similar project as well but did not have the time to look into yet.

[Grissini]

Thanks for the part number. TI gives these away as samples. I just order 3 along with a bunch of other FREE stuff. If you're not registered with Texas Instruments to get free samples, you should. 
http://www.ti.com/product/tps61042  
Now we'll see if I can figure out how to use these.  

[mbonnin]

Yep, I ordered some of them too :-). Ordered some TLC5940 as well which look easier to use (DIP package + parallel circuit instead of serial)

[ilpug]

I will do this.

[Grissini]

It's real easy to make. Super cool and I'd love to see what image(s) you use as your wall art lamp. The possibilities are really endless. I half finished with my El Panel Portal version. It's coming out real nice.

[ilpug]

The one I am making is much simpler, mainly just for temporary display of stencil art, not permanent. I think I will probably just cut up a lamp and use that. It will probably end up more like a light box than a display peice.

When I have time to do it, I will for sure include pictures though.

[mikeasaurus]

Wow, this looks amazing! I'd love to have a frame-light like this where I could but my own images!

[Grissini]

That's the beauty and ease of this design. With a regular printer and cheap Vellum available at Micheal's, Jo-Ann Fabric, and paper stores; You can print any image you want. And when It's battery powered, you can place it anywhere. I've got one in mind for my bathroom, Closet lights using photocell triggers, and large array of these for an art piece.