Ten Two Studios

I’ve always loved altering matchboxes, but their size often creates a challenge when it comes to finding papers and images that don’t overwhelm them. Matchbox Wrapper sheets from Ten Two Studios make it simple, by providing everything scaled to their small size.

To make your own wrapped matchboxes, you’ll need:

• A Matchbox Wrapper sheet, available for purchase at Ten Two Studios in the matchbox section.

• Matchboxes, also available in the matchbox section. The wrappers are sized for these matchboxes.
• A glue stick.
• Sharp detail scissors.
• Acrylic paints.

Each sheet comes with three wrappers, and is arranged on the page so that all the labels and word that match are in one block. Choose the wrapper you’d like to use, and cut out that block.

Cut the large wrapper piece from the block, and apply a liberal amount of glue stick to the back side of it.

Position the matchbox cover on the wrapper so the focal image is centered on what will be the front side. I found it easiest to just hold the wrapper up to the light, and position the matchbox onto it from behind.

Flatten the matchbox to adhere the wrapper to a short side. If the glue is drying by now, go ahead and apply a bit more.

Fold the wrapper around the flattened box to cover the back and second short side.

If there is any excess extending beyond the second short side, trim it away. Don’t worry about being perfect—the next step will cover any uglies.

Apply a liberal amout of glue to the remaining tab of the wrapper, and cover the short side. You will have two layers of wrapper on one short side.

If the wrapper extends beyond the short side, trim away the excess.

Use sharp scissors to trim away any wrapper than extends beyond the top or bottom edge of the matchbox cover.

Now’s a good time to paint the matchbox trays to match, if you wish. Choose a color that coordinates with the wrapper you’ve chosen, and paint the sides inside and out, and the back. Don’t worry too much about the inside back, because we’re going to cover it with pretty background paper later.

While the paint is drying, choose side labels for your matchbox. Each sheet comes with an assortment of side labels for each wrapper, so choose two that you like, and cut them out. Apply glue to the back sides to adhere them to the box.

Center the side labels on the short sides of the matchbox. They’re just a tad longer than the sides, so you’ll have a tiny bit hanging over each end.

Trim away the excess side labels that extend beyond the top and bottom edges of the matchbox cover.

Some styles of wrappers also come with words for the fronts of the boxes. Choose the word or words you’d like to use, and cut them from the sheet, close to the letters rather than on the lines. This will keep you from having little white halos around the words. Glue the words to the box.

Your wrappers also have coordinating interior box backgrounds, which are placed at the bottom of the sheet. Choose a background and cut it out. Apply it to the dry, painted matchbox tray using a glue stick.

Wrapper sheets also include a back label, so you can sign and date your finished box if you wish.

Naturally, these instructions are for using the wrapper sheets, and skip over the embellishing and filling of the boxes. I’ll leave that for another day…