Ten Two Studios

I first did winged matchboxes in the April 2007 issue of The Monthly Muse. I’ve done several sets since then, and now, I’ve added winged matchbox sets to the collage sheet assortment at Ten Two Studios. This project will show how they go together.

To make your winged matchboxes, you’ll need:

• A Winged Matchbox Set, available for purchase at Ten Two Studios in the matchbox section. I used the Winged Geishas set for the samples above, and the Winged Mademoiselles for the once at the bottom of the page. Each set makes three matchboxes.

• Matchboxes, also available in the matchbox section. The sets are sized for these matchboxes.
• A glue stick, and E600 or other thick glue.
• Sharp detail scissors.
• A piece of cardstock or chipboard, to back the figure and wings. I did one set in each, and I liked the cardstock better, because I could bend the wings a bit to give them depth, and also because it was easier to cut all the little details.
• Acrylic paints.
• Chalk inkpads, if you wish.

For each matchbox, cut out one figure, and two matching sets of wings. Just rough cut them for now—you’ll do the detail cutting a bit further down.

Glue the figure and one set of wings to chipboard or cardstock, and let them dry.

Rough cut the pieces apart. Again, skip the detail cutting for now.

Apply glue to the back of a matchbox, and press it onto the solid colored section of the figure. Line the top of the matchbox up with the top of the solid block. Let it dry.

Trim the excess figure that sticks out beyond the sides and bottom of the matchbox. Don’t mess with the top yet.

Choose the wrapper you’d like to use, and cut it from the sheet. Also cut out one back for each matchbox.

Apply glue to the wrapper, and apply it to the front of the matchbox, centering it side to side, and lining up the top edges.

The wrapper covers the front and sides of the matchbox, and wraps around to the back. This makes a nice, clean finish on the sides of the box, wrapping the lower section of the figure as well.

Trim any excess wrapper from the bottom of the matchbox.

Apply glue to a backing strip, and press it onto the matchbox and figure, lining up the bottoms.

Trim away any excess backing from the sides of the matchbox, and do the detail cutting of the figure now. You’ll end up with a nice finish on the back side, and a well supported figure.

Cut side labels from the collage set, and apply them to the sides of the matchbox. They’re just a tiny bit longer than the box, so center them.

Trim away the excess side labels at the top and bottom edges.

Cut out a front label, and apply it to the center front of the matchbox.

Cut around the outside edge of the backed wings, and cut out the unbacked ones as well.

Glue the wings back to back, lining up the outer edges.

Trim away any excess wings hanging over either side. If you wish, you can edge them with chalk inkpads to cover any white spots that show.

Apply a blob of thick glue like E6000 to the center of the wings, and press the figure in place over them.

Paint the matchbox tray with acrylic paints. I painted mine to match the interior linings. Let the paint dry.

Cut a patterned lining for the back of the box, and glue it into the tray.

The finished matchboxes:

Here’s another set: