Mixed Media Matchboxes

Ages ago I played with mixing different media – some friends showed me how. We glued a whole lot of things together, such as paper, string, wire, cardboard, then painted them with acrylic metallic colours and then rubbed in a metal finish.

I painted the matchboxes in acrylic metallic paint and then added the mixed media embellishments

Bronze matchbox quote inside

Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. Benjamin Spock

Silver matchbox quote inside

Live every act fully, as if it were your last. Buddha

Gold matchbox quote inside

You've got to get to the stage in life where going for it is more important than winning or losing. Arthur Ashe

These are also all heading off to Europe

Paper Plane Matchbox

My 8-year-old son is fantastic at making paper aeroplanes so I asked would he create a tiny little one out of origami paper for one of the matchboxes. I love how it turned out.

The quote inside

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are Theodore Roosevelt

This one will be heading off to Europe

Fused Glass 1 Matchbox

I love fusing glass, the unpredictable nature of it – and for me never quite knowing how it is going to turn out. I do not have a thermometer in my jewellery kiln so my pieces end up rather organic.

I had some pieces that I had done previously that I thought would suit my matchboxes.

The quote inside

Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.

Vincent van Gogh

This one will be heading off to Europe

Off to Europe

I am on a roll. That is one thing about me - get me motivated and energised doing something and there is no stopping me. It has been so long since I have taken the time to be creative I am just loving this project.

My partner is going to Europe tomorrow and I thought it would be really cool for him to take some matchboxes and drop them off in places where he travels.

Love on the Line Matchbox

I am very excited, as I have made my first matchbox. I painted the box in a sky scene, used tigers tail and crimps to make a clothes line and then pegged a little red love heart.

The quote inside

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James

Tomorrow I am going to put it in a place for someone to discover and enjoy.

Background to Matchbox Moments

Sitting in a doctor surgery flicking through the Readers Digest I was inspired by a project undertaken by Sonya Gee called the Matchbox Project.

“Each week, a decorated matchbox with a tiny present hidden inside is left by a girl (and sometimes willing friends) somewhere in her travels. It's a random act of semi-artistic kindness aimed at disrupting someone's day in a tiny but positive way. That's if they dare to pick it up...”

I just loved the concept, such a wonderful idea. I understand that in February this year Sonya decided to say goodbye and finish making matchboxes. So I guess I have decided continue on and start my own matchbox moments. I am going to make hand decorated matchboxes and place a quote of inspiration inside them. I am then going to leave them in random places for people to discover and enjoy. My aim is to bring a moment of joy into someone’s life. My intention for this blog is to share my creative journey.

One of my favourite quotes is from Scott Adams Dilbert Creator

“Remember there's no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”

I would love you to join me on this journey.