Miniature Matchbox Kitchen
║Greetings, enjoyer of tiny things!║
We have a shared interest. You can pursue this interest by making your own tiny, matchbox kitchen!
This was inspired by other match-box and book-nook miniatures I've seen online. I thought a kitchen would make a great gift for my friend Nico, as she loves to cook. Maybe you also have someone who could use a tiny kitchen!
If you don't like the design of the kitchen, feel free to change it! The template is provided in the next step. Just download it and edit it to your heart's content.
This project is also fairly quick, it only took me a day to create everything, it will probably only take you an hour or two to assemble it.
Prototype, Unwrapping, and Painting
║Materials║
• Matchbox
• Printer paper
• White glue
║Tools║ Exacto blade, scissors, tweezers (angled preferably), toothpick, printer, art program (optional)
Steps:
This is just my design and prototype process. Maybe this well help your miniature-matchbox projects.
1. After sketching my idea, I made a paper prototype with copy paper and white glue.
2. I then carefully peeled all my pieces off and laid them flat. Essentially, I "unwrapped" my 3D pieces, just like a 3D modeler would do for a model.
3. I then glued the pieces onto a sheet of paper, and scanned it to my computer.
4. Using Photoshop (you can use any editing program to make your own version), I created my sketched design until I landed on a design I was happy with.
Printing and Background
║Materials║
• Matchbox
• Printer paper
• White glue
• UV Resin
║Tools║ Exacto blade, scissors, tweezers (angled preferably), toothpick, printer
Steps:
1. Print the item sheet from the following step.
2. Add a glob of UV resin on the ceiling lamp. Cure it quickly to achieve a round shape.
3. Using scissors, Exacto blades, or anything that cuts, cut the wallpaper, floor, and ceiling out.
4. Fold along the folding lines to fit the paper into the matchbox.
5. Add a small amount of glue to the inside of the matchbox, and gently press the paper pieces into place.
3D Details and Assembly
║Materials║
• Matchbox
• White glue
• UV Resin
• Silver nail polish
║Tools║ Exacto blade, scissors, tweezers, toothpick
Steps:
1. Add a glob of UV resin on an area you can mix it. Add a small amount of silver nail polish, and mix. Using a toothpick, gently apply it to your tool rack and faucet. Cure with a UV lamp.
2. Using scissors, Exacto blades, or anything that cuts, cut all the details out (or one at a time if you are afraid of losing the tiny pieces)
3. Fold along the folding lines to fit the paper into the matchbox.
5. Add a small amount of glue to the inside of the matchbox, and gently press the paper pieces into place (tweezers really help here). If you have some stubborn pieces that won't stand up, add a blob of UV resin and cure it in place. I made the sink knobs using this method as well.
6. To make some pieces shiny, like the jars, add a thin layer of white glue and let it dry.
Outer Sleeve
║Materials║
• Matchbox
• White glue
• Superglue
• Sharpie
• Clear plastic
• Acrylic paint
║Tools║ Exacto blade, scissors, tweezers, toothpick, sponge, brush
Steps:
1. Cut out the storefront, back, and sides. Then, cut the door and wall windows very carefully.
2. Cut out a small piece of clear plastic (I got mine from a kiwi container). Using a sharpie (any color, I just used gold) draw a diagonally. Then, turn the plastic over, and draw the same way. This will create a 3D diamond effect. Or, for a more subtle effect, just make lines with an exacto instead of a sharpie.
3. Place the storefront on top of the matchbox where you want it, and then gently indent the windows with a toothpick.
4. Remove the storefront paper and cut out the outer-sleeve windows.
5. Add a thin layer of glue to the front of the box, and apply the storefront.
6. Add a small amount of superglue to the inside of the box, and gently place the plastic window into place
7. Glue the rest of the outer pieces on.
8. Mix 3 different green colors with acrylic paint, then use a makeup sponge to dab the different colors on. This "ivy" look will cover up the actual matchbox and any gluing errors.
Finished! Enjoy Your Tiny Kitchen.
Wow, that was fast, huh?
This is the fastest I've ever made an Instructable/project, and honestly, it was so fun I may make more. This is an easy afternoon or rainy day project, and it's perfect for gifts. If anyone makes a matchbox dollhouse and uses this template for the kitchen, post a picture! I'm excited to see everyone's tiny kitchens. :)
*Creative Commons images used for this project:
https://www.rawpixel.com/image/2704861/free-illust...
https://www.rawpixel.com/image/3369676/free-illust...