Some swaps found a home in this matchbox shop.
I added a piece of foam core to the bottom to fit inside the cover. This way the project won’t slip around. To see the interiors in the double drawers, one does need to remove the cover.
How I Made This Project
First this project uses two small cardboard matchboxes. I combined them by cutting portions off. I choose to combine them rather than have two separate for additional sturdiness.
While the boxes were cut open, I also cut out my door and windows. Even if not going to change the size of the box, it works best to open the box flat and then glue back together later. However one can cut the openings with it folded in half. To determine where to cut them out, I drew on the box and measured out equal shapes and distance apart.
To add “glass” I used a piece of plastic from packaging.
The glass gets glued to the outside of the box.
Meanwhile I glued the two drawers together back to back. I added flooring to the bottoms. The flooring was printed from my computer. A piece of wood was cut to apply the flooring too and this helps with structure.
Then a designed outer walls and a sign on my computer and printed that out.
This was added to the end of the two drawers and also wrapped around the front and end of the box. I wanted to keep a portion of the matchbox showing.
To add further stability to the box as the folds made it flexible, I added the beams to the roof. Gluing it down to the base also helped with stability.
I debated about having a door in between the two rooms (drawers), but decided I didn’t want to waste the wall space. Matchboxes are narrow so I am not realistic with the area shown, so having door inside wasn’t needed.
Paint was added to the foundation. Plus steps made from wood.
Then swaps were added and it was done.
After years of not having a proper cover due to it’s height, I finally have a it in a solid display case.
Happy miniaturing!
Preble