Personalised Matchbox Commissions 

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Brief

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Some commissions begin with a carefully written brief. Others begin with the words, "My grandad loved fishing, my wife collects teacups, and can you somehow include our dog?"

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Every personalised matchbox commission starts with a conversation. Whether celebrating a family story, marking a wedding, commemorating a beloved pet, or creating a memorable gift, I work closely with each client to transform their ideas into a vintage-inspired illustration that feels entirely unique.

 

The same process can also be applied to businesses looking for distinctive promotional artwork, creating imagery that tells a brand's story with personality, humour and craftsmanship.

 

The Challenge

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The challenge is finding the balance between nostalgia, storytelling and design. Every illustration is created from a bespoke client brief, carefully weaving together personal memories, meaningful objects and visual references into a composition that feels new and exciting.

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The artwork can exist as a single illustrated matchbox label, or evolve into a fully realised three-dimensional object. Rather than treating the packaging as a container, I use it as a canvas, allowing typography, illustrations and hidden details to wrap around the entire form and reward closer inspection.

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Inspired by the golden age of matchbox graphics, fairground posters and vintage advertising, each commission is designed to be more than a keepsake. It becomes a conversation piece—a small object with a big personality. Whether celebrating a person, a place or a business, the result is artwork that people don't want to throw away.

In fact, the only thing most clients say after receiving one is, "We probably shouldn't light this one."