Steampunk Fairy Matchbox Shrine

My final matchbox shrine, at least for now, wasn't for my swap but just because I fancied doing it (it was another theme on another swap). So, I made an illuminated steampunk fairy matchbox shrine (as you do).

I cut the basic frame with a Sizzix die and used Tim Holtz embossing folders for texture. Cue lots of inking and gold paint (some of which is now on my ceiling!) to cover the frame and the inside of the matchbox. At the back of the inside of the box I put a fairy hologram (culled from an old and worn out children's book) which I coloured first with alcohol inks. I filled the inside with various bits - little filled glass vials, ideology bits, watch face etc. Added loads of ideology bits, old watch parts, spare sewing machine bulb and metal flower and fairy embellishments all over the outside.

There is also a small light with a switch underneath that lights up the inside of the box. Although it's been too tricky to photograph it does look really good at night.

Sounds simple enough, but there's been a lot of trial and error on this one, and a lot of matchboxes have been sacrificed!

The front of the shrine and you can see the fairy hologram. It's not this vivid in normal light but it's hard to photograph so it needed lots of extra light. Who said fairies should be easy to photograph anyway!

I love how you don't always see the hologram - this is in dull daylight.

The back of the shrine.

And the sides.

I entered this in the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp and Show (Anything Goes)

Frilly and Funkie (Upcycled matchbox and old children's book)

Gingersnap Creations (Copper, ginger, rust)


Thanks for looking.