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Scouting decorative match boxes

Apologies for the light posting — we had a medical emergency over the weekend and while everything is okay, it has been a scary couple of days.

My mom is visiting to help out and noticed one of my favorite things — a decorative matchbox given to me last year by C for christmas. I love that it elevates the act of using matches into something beautiful. My favorite sort of design is always practical in someway. Or maybe I’m interested in elevating the everyday object into something beautiful or that nourishes the spirit. Also, I’m something of a miniatures nut (see dollhouses here, re-ment here and mini rooms here). My mother fell in love with my matches (see first image below) and insisted that I do a round-up here on decorative matches.

nordic.jpg

PS I looked for a online site that sells these and couldn’t source them in the US. The artist is Erkers Marie Persson and the manufacturer appears to be Sverigealmanackan.

butterfly.gif

seashell.gif

via always cool Curiosity Shoppe

via iomoi.com

As I searched for matches to post I was surprised there aren’t more on the market. Any cool finds I missed?

12 Responses to “Scouting decorative match boxes”

  1. Tate
    October 24th, 2007 15:23
    1

    These are so cute! I want them!

  2. Caroline
    October 25th, 2007 15:31
    2

    Hey, your favourite matchbox looks like it’s got a Swedish painting on it? I really like it too. The old-fashioned prints are so pretty too. You should make some yourself! :)

  3. Caroline
    October 25th, 2007 15:47
    3

    Oh, just realised I missed the first bit of that post - hope everything is ok with the medical emergency! Scary when stuff happens, life suddenly feels real doesn’t it…

  4. tyesha
    October 25th, 2007 18:49
    4

    i wonder if you can buy the strike strips? it would be fun to make these. i’m going to look into it and when i make some i will send you one! happy thursday, i’m glad things are better now.

  5. kstyle
    October 25th, 2007 23:19
    5

    Hi Abbey,
    Just discovered your blog via decor 8 and I love it! Am going to link you on Kstyle right now. Drop on by when you get a chance. I think you will enjoy, k

  6. Kelly
    October 26th, 2007 11:51
    6

    i LOVE the pyramid shaped matchboxes. i’ve never seen anything like it…

  7. Angie
    October 27th, 2007 12:05
    7

    Cool- I love the ones with the butterflies.

  8. abigail
    October 27th, 2007 13:59
    8

    Tyesha, I’d never thought of making them — such a good idea — I can’t wait to see what you come up with…. genius idea!

  9. abigail
    October 27th, 2007 14:00
    9

    Caroline, thanks for the nice wishes — T. is on the mend and after a scary week it looks like he will be fine which is the best news possible!

  10. christina
    October 28th, 2007 00:58
    10

    This is great. I love all of them and can’t wait for you to find more or start making matchboxes yourself. I used to love buying little matchbox toy cars and trucks from a German lady in Harvard Square when I was little. I think the Europeans are into matchboxes more than we are with our shrink wrapped toys etc.

  11. Matchbox lover
    March 10th, 2008 15:31
    11

    Check out the decorative matchboxes at http://www.stclaircreations.com. They are very unique!

    Rebecca

  12. Deb
    March 24th, 2008 01:33
    12

    Hello, my company Fine Spark produces a line of decorative matchbox cylinders. I invite you to have a look at them at http://www.finespark.com/match.htm They are available in independent gift and stationary shops. :)

    Sincerely,
    Deb

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 24th, 2007 at 11:30 am and is filed under Vintage Finds. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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