Diorama

A few months ago my mom asked me if I wanted a round box she had and was going to toss out.  At first I said, 'Nah, that's OK,' but then I changed my mind because I figured I could always find a use for it.  After I got it home, I thought maybe I could try to make a diorama with it.  I kind of remember making a diorama when I was a little kid from a shoe box.  After googling various diorama pictures, I decided to try an underwater scene, looking out from a porthole window.  

I started by lining the inside with light and dark blue watery-looking paper.  The outside of the box and lid are done in silver cardstock.  

I purchased the treasure chest from a pet store in the aquarium department, and removed the little hoses, then glued extra rhinestones, flattened gold bead caps and shells to the base.  Rather than make a mess gluing a sandy bottom in the box, I used sandpaper.  

One of my friends said that my sharks look happy.  I used fishing line, pearl beads and fish ephemera too.

I'd cut a hole in the box lid and put a clear sheet of plastic in like a window, and then used black-topped thumbtacks for the porthole rivets.  I realize that the ship or submarine would also be resting on the bottom of the ocean floor to see this view but oh well!!!  I am pleased with the way it came out.  I would like to add some nautical rope around the outside of the box but I haven't found any yet.