You're right that the matchboxes don't have to be filled with things, but I was talking specifically about filled matchboxes. I especially love those kind but am understanding if people don't want the extra effort or expense. Just clarifying my statement.

My personal vote is for Nanners original idea. I think that if people are giving a list of 10 things and the goal is to Focus on a theme of one or more, then that really doesn’t involve buying anything special necessarily. I also think they can still be filled, it would just take some creative interpretation and spins. It’s so cool to have a piece of art that is made in light of what we specifically enjoy!

We could give the artist the choice whether to fill the boxes or not, that way you could go with a theme from the person's list you are making it for.

After more thought and Gemme's suggestions, I think this is very doable without making it expensive.

12 seems like a lot to me, personally. I'm not sure I could make 12 matchboxes doable. But I'll wait and see what others think.

I really like the idea of having them tailored to our specific interests the more I think about it. Good idea nanners! I can see that there are creative ways to fill the boxes now, though I will probably still end up buying stuff lol!

This is great! I didn't know you could buy matchboxes just for crafting. But suppose I were to get the regular ones, with matches inside, from the grocery store. I expect I would have to remove the striker paper (and the matches). But is it better to use the ones made specifically for crafts? Or does it really matter?

If we went as high as 12 people signing up, I would want extra time to work on these. Especially since I have never done them before! But it sounds intriguing . . .

You are right; sometimes what is sent does not cover the full costs. I've eaten it a few times over the years, but we're not in it to get rich. If we are, I'm totally doing it wrong.

:blink:

A pro for the flat rate shipping boxes is that it doesn't cost anything other than crumpled paper or bubble wrap and some tape. I tend to buy padded envelopes in bulk packages so the cost is minimal for me overall. I also work in an office that gets shipping supplies in from other shipments so I can 'requisition' them for my purposes. I know not everyone is that lucky.

We've not had issues with packaging except for the occasional blip now and again. It's usually due to the artist not packaging it properly but sometimes the mail service does get a little rough. I just try to plan for the worst and hope for the best. And always get a tracking number!

I agree!

If someone lists 10 things that they enjoy/love/adore/etc, there are a plethora of ways each item/thing can be determined.

If nan says she likes purple and cats, I could hunt for a tiny purple cat, I can draw a wacky purple cat or I can cut out purple paper in the shape-ish of a cat.

If ccb says she loves glitter and vintage stuff, I could find a vintage picture online and coat it with a glitter glue or I could find a sparkly vintage sticker or I could draw something appropriate-ish.....'ish' because of my drawing capabilities...and then sprinkle it with glitter and seal it or I could find a shiny, happy, vintage-y charm and put in inside the box.

If clay says beach and sunshine and quirky trinkets, I could include a fun tiny flip flop or draw one or do a beach themed box with flip flop or beach ball cut outs.

If I say unicorns and fuzzy things, someone could take fuzzy, soft yarn and create a unicorn-ish shaped creature and glue it down.

One reason I love nan's idea so much is that it's soooo open to interpretation and doesn't demand high level crafting skills, which I don't have.

We could split the difference and say a cap of 11. 11 is lucky say the Chinese!

We wouldn't have to buy anything except the boxes (and not those if you already have them!). You can paint, sculpt or mold clay or you could buy tiny fun things and bits. You could do a mixture of both.

When we did the matchboxes one time, nyc said she liked fun burgers so I got some Playdoh and created a 'burger' for her with lettuce and tomato and everything. That went inside the box. It didn't 'fill' it but was inside of it and went with the stickers I put inside.

One of the ones I did had a mermaid on the outside of the box and her dwelling, with netting and seashells, etc inside.

I also did one that was strictly paint and stickers and some yarn, I think.

Nan was suggesting we leave it up to the person to choose out of the 10 (or whatever) items and we get to choose how we interpret the use of those items and how we incorporate them into the box.

You can absolutely use the ones off the shelf. You could paint over the strip or incorporate it or scrape it off. Your choice. It is definitely recommended that the matches go elsewhere...unless someone says they are super into matches.

:blink:

Also, size would be paramount. There are two main sizes and they make all the difference in terms of difficulty and cost. I'd suggest we go with the smaller size.

I appreciate you, clay. If everyone else wants to do this project and is okay with me wrangling, I'd be happy to do so. If someone else is ready and hasn't done it in a while, I'd be happy to participate too. It's been a while since I did a matchbox project.

I like the lucky Chinese 11 (definitely with some extra time thrown in since each one is specialized!).

I would like if we could just do matchbox size of our choice, meaning as long as they are normal matchbox size (the kind that are a little bigger or smaller). I like that because sometimes I order them and just chose the best deal. I'd prefer not to have to worry about size as long as they are matchboxes Perhaps include a little extra money if on the larger vs. smaller side?

Anyway, I'm super psyched about this project and appreciate Gemme volunteering to wrangle! I literally have that burger matchbox that she made me within arms' reach as I write this! Yes, that's how fun it was to get something that was exactly what I love!

Newbies, please do join! You will really enjoy this, and there are a lot of examples on the web. I agree with one having a choice to do stuffed or nonstuffed. Whatever floats someone's boat!

I like all this. I think as long as the matchboxes are close to the smaller standard size. There's a MUCH larger size box matches come in and I think that is what Gemme was trying to avoid.

11 still seems like a lot to me but I'll try to relax. When should our due date be?

It was really fun to get matchboxes to our specifications! I still have all my mermaid boxes.

This is the matchbox size I want to use: 2-1/4" long an 1-3/8" wide and 3/8" deep. And am willing to pay extra if this is a big matchbox, lol.

The reason I want to use this size is because (blush) I already impulsively ordered them. EEP! I'm outta control!

P.S. Oriental trading sells match boxes super cheap but I've used them before and wasn't crazy about them. I went for Etsy this time.

Last time I bought matchboxes, I purchased them at the dollar store.

I'd like another week, please. *innocent look*