32 Count Matchbox Cram Found Item Altered Art

can anything inside the matchbox be handmade or must it all be found? secondly, haha, do all the items need to go with the same theme?

No theme. Check out the flickr group for ideas. This is basically for found items to be used in altered art. Check with you partner about making something if you like. I don't have a problem with it but it does get away from the 'found item' challenge.

Who's counting the items in the matchbox, the receiver or the sender or both?

Fantastic idea, looking forward to this one!

I would say the sender should report, but be honest folks!

I got 80 pieces in my box so far and every piece is one of a kind or color. There are several beads but they are all different and unique. Only one piece of paper and some watch parts and all kinds of goodies. It's stuffed and ready to go.

Wow! 80 pieces? The top count for the flickr group was 60 something! Maybe you should document your box and join the group on flickr. See if you can't top their cram master!

I think that all items are supposed to be different according to what I saw on Flickr. so only one bead would count in the example above. What are the guidelines/rules for this swap?

There are some boxes in the group with more than 100 items! But I wouldn't count 20 straight pins individually for this one.

When I say a bead, I am talking: one bugle bead, one silver spacer bead, one cat head, one glass beauty, one clear odd shaped angle dangle, and so forth. Each is totally different in size and shape. It also helped to put all the flat things in first and then a couple of the large things in and then put all the little pieces in around them. Then more flat stuff on top. Then I closed the box and added more from each edge. I will admit there is a little bulge in the box but it closed and the decorations didn't pop off.

What is the site name for the Flickr group? I would be interested in joining.

Oh, forgot to sat that I don't think there are more than 8 to 10 different beads in there, the rest are embellishment goodies like a flamingo shaped eyelet, unusual brad, star shaped sequin, unusual shaped paperclip, a strawberry applique, an alphabet letter, and other things.

Please clarify this phrase: "unique found items"

When I work with "found items" they are things I find outside my home, and not things I pay for, either. And I rarely find the beads, eyelets, appliques, etc that have been discussed above. Is the object of this swap to simply stuff as many objects as you can into a 32-ct matchbox, or to fill the matchbox with as many FOUND objects (not found in your home or purchased in a store) as you can in the time provided? I LOVE found objects and would be heart-broken if my partner just sent me a box full of new supplies. Thanks for the clarification!

@ thistlecrafts - I think your point is valid. I don't have very many found objects s i'm going to sit this one out.

I would limit items such as 8 beads even if they are different. Part of the challenge of this is finding completely different things that are rather unique. Found items tend to be more individual- an antique button, a ticket stub, a tiny crystal. Think things with stories, things that probably could tell you amazing things if they could talk. Usually NOT store bought but FOUND. I won't hold it against you if they are new, but some folks are joining to swap out assemblage items which tend to be NOT your run of the mill craft store items. Unique found items are the more common cram items on the Flickr group. Please check the award winning crams which can be located on the Flickr groups photos for more ideas. If anyone needs to send me a message. This is the first time posting this idea and am more than happy to make changes if needs be, especially if I do another round. Believe me, I am not an expert on crams! :D

I will be stuffing my matchbox with my interpretation of "found" objects- things that are not from a craft store, but not all picked up off the street, either. I don't live in a cool urban area. I have "found" some cool things at thrift stores, and garage sales. Those little things that you find in drawers and bags and jars. So, none of the stuff I'm sending will be new.

Lishmo, that sounds perfect! I often think about found objects as some of those things found in your 'junk drawer'. That helps me, but the better objects tend to be unusual. That of course makes it more interesting and fun.

Thanks so much for the clarification!!!

Lishmo, I am with you on this one. I have some really cool 'found' objects and most of what I will send are unique finds from thrift stores, yard sales and my "art junkin'" excursions! I have an eye for cool tiny things and always find myself digging to find them. LOL! A few may be unusual vintage things I've found and bought on eBay that I bought say 6-8 of. I started gathering the other night when I was waiting for my hubby to get home from a late meeting and am amazed at all the weird/unusual things I've gathered so far. No scrapbook supplies here. I know you won't be disappointed! I would be if this is what my partner sent to me for this kind of swap.

On second thought, maybe it's cheating to put in something I bought from eBay, so I limited it to one of those and had to include one paper item as it's too cool not to! :)

I'm excited!!