Japanese Beauty ATC matchbox

 

Hi all, Art Angel here with a  decorated Atc Matchbox

These Matchboxes are so easy to put together and are just brilliant to decorate, you have so many options as the grey board is very robust and will take all sorts of mediums. 

As an added bonus you get both Artist Trading Coins to decorate as well as the cards, and  because of the depth of the  matchbox you can add as much texture and dimension as you want as it will all conveniently store inside.

For this set I have used papers from the 8" x 8" ScrapBoys Japanese Beauty pad

this is the set in its entirety, whilst photo heavy I will include individual close ups of  each card and coin so that you can recreate the look if you wish

I have  strategically cut my papers to  cover the base of  each card, for some I have used a  floral backing paper from the pad with a fussy cut focal point layered over,  for others like this one I have cut the paper so that the focal image is intact and placed off centre with fussy cut smaller elements over the  top

The Scrapboys papers are  perfect for  decoupaging elements as you get several copies of the same  design rather than each page being different

When  fussy cutting images to decoupage I use multiple layers where I can  to provide  extra depth and shape each piece where I can to give a fuller  more natural 3d effect, I also like to have the raised pieces extend beyond the circumference of the card to break up straight edges and lines and  to bring about a sense of movement

I use  3d glue gel and  foam pads to create dimension and added a raised sentiment on a couple of the  cards, you  could easily personalise these if you are intending to gift them

the base papers have  been adhered to each of the  cards with a  matte pva that dries clear, I like to  coat the  top  layers of  my cards in matte varnish  as well to add a  layer of protection

I have four each of the cards and coins decorated to go into the matchbox, the complete set contains  five of  each. I have used the final card slightly more heavily decorated and used  as a topper to decorate the  top of my box.

Each side and all outer surfaces of the drawer have been  covered in floral background paper while the inside of the drawer has been painted in a c ordinating matte paint, as has the inside of the matchbox sleeve that the drawer slides into

I have decorated all  four coins in the same theme,  two on a dark background, two on  a lighter base paper, just to provide a bit of  continuity

 fussy cut elements on the coin  have been  taken from the matching 6 x 6" pad  as the images  were more aesthetically pleasing on this size of circle

again building up layer  to provide depth

I wanted  all of the design to have a cohesive feel so to bring everything together all  edges of all coins, cards, drawer and sleee  have been edged in decoart metallic gold paint, this frames each mini piece of  art  perfectly

again ,I used just four of the five coins to go inside the drawer and used the final one  as a  drawer pull on the front of the drawer panel

the completed set would make a lovely gift for someone  special, or  keep it  for yourself and use the  backs of all  coins and cards a  journaling space.

hope you enjoyed this little project and will have a go at decorating your own x x