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Matchbox Crafts

Updated on November 7, 2014

Crafting with Matchboxes -- Keeping it Tiny

Matchbox crafts are a way to craft in miniature, especially if you choose to use the small matchboxes that measure about 2 inches by 1-3/8 inches. It's also possible to craft with the small match books.

A wide variety of crafts can be made using small and large matchboxes. The following crafts are included in this article and as I find more, I'll be adding them:

- shrines that hold images and objects in a given theme

- covered matchboxes to dress up your matches

- doll dressers

- advent calendars

- gift boxes

This photo shows covered matchboxes. Add some embellishments, like buttons or charms to dress them up, if you want. One or two of these added to a candle would make a lovely hostess gift.

Photo Credit: Peggy Hazelwood

More Craft Ideas to Keep You Crafting - All Year Long

Crafting can be a relaxing and productive way to spend free time. Whether it's with kids, a group of people, or just yourself, the act of making crafts can soothe your soul.

Martha Stewart Matchbox Craft Photos - See the links below for more detail on these crafts.

Save the Date to See Sparks Fly matchbox clip art courtesy of MarthaStewart.com.
Save the Date to See Sparks Fly matchbox clip art courtesy of MarthaStewart.com. | Source

Books for Matchbox Crafting Inspiration

Stock up on matchboxes at the dollar store.

Select some small matchboxes and a few of the larger ones for different crafts.

Be sure to keep matchboxes (or at least the matches) out of the reach of children.

Matches + a Candle = Great Gift

Decorate a few small matchboxes and

give with a nice scented candle.

This thoughtful gift will be unique and appreciated.

Make Covered Matchboxes - Step by step photos and instructions

Click thumbnail to view full-size
Make covered matchboxes with scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, a button, and wire.Select your matchboxes. These are the small size matchboxes.Paint the edges of the matchbox where the scrapbook paper may not easily cover.Cut out scrapbook paper using the top and bottom of the matchbox as a template.Use decoupage medium like Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the matchbox. Do one side at a time letting the Mod Podge dry completely before adding paper to the other side.If you want to add beads or buttons to the top of the matchbox, use a hole punch to puncture the box. Be sure to line up the holes with the button holes.
Make covered matchboxes with scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, a button, and wire.
Make covered matchboxes with scrapbook paper, Mod Podge, a button, and wire.
Select your matchboxes. These are the small size matchboxes.
Select your matchboxes. These are the small size matchboxes.
Paint the edges of the matchbox where the scrapbook paper may not easily cover.
Paint the edges of the matchbox where the scrapbook paper may not easily cover.
Cut out scrapbook paper using the top and bottom of the matchbox as a template.
Cut out scrapbook paper using the top and bottom of the matchbox as a template.
Use decoupage medium like Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the matchbox. Do one side at a time letting the Mod Podge dry completely before adding paper to the other side.
Use decoupage medium like Mod Podge to adhere the paper to the matchbox. Do one side at a time letting the Mod Podge dry completely before adding paper to the other side.
If you want to add beads or buttons to the top of the matchbox, use a hole punch to puncture the box. Be sure to line up the holes with the button holes.
If you want to add beads or buttons to the top of the matchbox, use a hole punch to puncture the box. Be sure to line up the holes with the button holes.

Matchboxes for the Fridge

After you decorate matchboxes, glue a magnet on the

back of one of the boxes and keep it on the refrigerator.

You will always know where there's a box of matches.

If you have little ones, be sure to put it up high.

Matchbox Crafts -- Cover Matchbooks - Use fabric to cover matchbooks and matchboxes

I covered these items including a few matchbox/books (from top left: clothespin, binder clip, matchbox, matchbook) with fabric.
I covered these items including a few matchbox/books (from top left: clothespin, binder clip, matchbox, matchbook) with fabric.
Plain items before I covered them in fabric.
Plain items before I covered them in fabric.
Supplies needed: scissors, decoupage medium, paintbrush.
Supplies needed: scissors, decoupage medium, paintbrush.
Fabric for covering everyday items.
Fabric for covering everyday items.
Fabric cut in pieces.
Fabric cut in pieces.

Magic Matchboxes - Learn these matchbox tricks to awe and amaze your friends!

More Fun Crafts

Clothespin Crafts
Clothespin crafts transform ordinary wooden clothespins into something new. Clothespins come in both peg and clip styles...

Silverware Crafts
If you've seen wind chimes made from vintage silverware, you have an idea of what silverware crafts are.

Book Crafts
Books may not be the first thing to come to mind when you think of crafting, but book crafts can be fun and when you're done,

Costume Jewelry Crafts
Costume jewelry crafts are simply crafts made using costume jewelry. This can include using a piece, such as clip on earrings,

Button Crafts
Crafting with buttons is one of the most fun ways to show off pretty buttons whether they're vintage buttons or new ones.

Lace Crafts
Lace crafts can be delicate and beautiful. Embellishing items with lace, using lace as a stencil, or creating lace by knitting or crocheting are all fun lace...

Rope Crafts
Crafting with rope can be a fun hobby that results in some useful objects with textures you just don't get with another medium.

Making Bookmarks -- Book Thongs
Making bookmarks, like book thongs, is a fun craft that ends in a useful bookmark to use to keep track of where you left off.

Crafts Using Tins
Do you have empty tins that you hate to just throw away? These crafts using tins will give you lots of ideas.

Key Crafts
If you're like me, you have a junk drawer (or two or three) with loose keys. You don't remember what they went to.

Rock Painting -- How to Paint Rocks
I saw an article online about rock painting and decided that I had to try that! I don't consider myself to be artistic at all, but I do love crafts.

Will you make any of these Matchbox Crafts? - Share the ones you like best.

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    • profile image

      Ruthi 4 years ago

      I would not have thought of crafts with tiny matchboxes but these are delightful ideas for such. Gives new meaning to "xmall is the new big".

    • Michael Oksa profile image

      Michael Oksa 5 years ago

      I have a friend that would love these. I will be sending her your way! :)

    • profile image

      anonymous 5 years ago

      I don't think I've ever done matchbook crafting and I'm seeing all sorts of fun to be had in miniature....and even a safety tip to keep matches out of the reach of children....cuteness!

    • Camden1 profile image

      Camden1 5 years ago

      I remember decorating matchboxes in kindergarten with felt and tiny seashells as a special gift for my parents.

    • profile image

      kathryn-gillespie 5 years ago

      Fun lens! Cute ideas!

    • Scarlettohairy profile image
      Author

      Peggy Hazelwood 5 years ago from Desert Southwest, U.S.A.

      @anonymous: Check online at Amazon or locally, check grocery stores or department stores like Target or Walmart.

    • profile image

      anonymous 5 years ago

      Where can I find plain matchboxes for crafting these projects?

    • Lady Lorelei profile image

      Lorelei Cohen 5 years ago from Canada

      I remember as a child making a doll's dresser out of matchbox boxes. It came out beautiful.

    • MelonyVaughan profile image

      MelonyVaughan 5 years ago

      I love these kinds of crafts! They are fun and quirky! Great lens.

    • SheGetsCreative profile image

      Angela F 6 years ago from Seattle, WA

      These are so cute! Adding to my Mason Jar Crafts lens.

    • DebiJones LM profile image

      Debi Jones 6 years ago from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

      Very interesting lens! Look forward to trying some of these craft ideas!

    • profile image

      getmoreinfo 6 years ago

      I used to love to collect matchboxes when I did alot of traveling from city to city, because some of the designs on the boxes are so great. Using them for crafts is a great idea.

    • gottaloveit2 profile image

      gottaloveit2 6 years ago

      I love the idea of putting a magnet on the matchbook and putting it on the fridge. Great idea! Another wonderful article, Peggy.

    • Virginia Allain profile image

      Virginia Allain 6 years ago from Central Florida

      Hmm, I'll have to rummage around to see if we have any of these. Your craft, covering the matchbox in scrapbook paper, turned out really cute.

      I remember as a kid reading the Borrowers (now a movie called Arriety) and how they used matchboxes in their little homes.

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