Though I am in no way against technology, I adore greeting cards more than I ever will e-mails. I’m the kind of person that saves every card I receive, and I can also spend hours searching for the right one. That’s why I was particularly saddened when NPR reported that things are not looking well for the greeting card industry in the digital age. The solution. With business declining and shops closing down, NPR suggests that creativity is the key to survival. I was delighted to come across [Shop3xu][1], an Etsy shop that offers a unique alternative to traditional greeting cards: **handmade matchbox-cards for all occasions**.
The owner goes by TH and is based in Brooklyn, New York. Let’s hope that more creative minds like TH can help the idea of tangible messages – the kind you can hold in your hand and keep forever – stay afloat. **Take a sneak peek at the adorable shop’s Instagram pics below. Prices start at $4.75.** [1]: https://www.etsy.com/shop/shop3xu. Tiny vintage #suitcase made from a real matchbox #packedwithlove <3 #miniature #etsy #craftsposure #lovecard #giftidea #spring #3xu #shop3xu #cuatiem3xu #matchboxdesign #handmade A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Mar 24, 2015 at 11:22am PDT.
Tell your mom that she is AWESOME ^^ #mothersday #etsyhandmade #craftsposure #greetingcard #etsyfinds #etsyfavorite #supermom #etsyelite #makersvillage #3xu #cuatiem3xu #shop3xu A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Apr 15, 2015 at 6:33pm PDT
Say hello to our little love-piggybank. ?
Hearts Only. #etsy #etsyhandmade #greetingcard #craftsposure #heart #uniquegift #lovecard #piggybank #piggy #matchbox #handmade #renegadecraftfair #stationery #missingyou #3xu @craftsposure A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Jun 1, 2015 at 3:18pm PDT.
A set of 5 matchbox-cards for each and everyone you love: mother, father, significant other, best friend and someone whose smile you think is beautiful 🙂 [Link in profile] #greetingcards #cardset #matchboxart #alloccasions #etsy #craftsposure #etsywholesale #etsygifts #3xu #stationery #lovecard #craft A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Nov 12, 2015 at 7:05pm PST
Too much prettiness in one place: “Sweet themed” machboxes from our shop, 6″ cake stand and painted mason jar from @unpolishedandpretty, 1 dozen large mason jar sugar cookies with chocolate icing from @sullivanbakehouse and surpise pack+shop credit from @bakerspartyshop. ALL of these could be yours!
Find out how to win this amazing prize on @bakerspartyshop blog post Photo credit:@bakerspartyshop ??. #cake #bake #party #display #cookie #birthday #promo #collaboration #giveaway #pink #chocolate #card #handmade #etsy #birthdayparty #cute #cupcake #sweets #treats #craftsposure #3xu A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Aug 28, 2015 at 7:07am PDT.
Saturday afternoon tea.
Look how tiny these muffins are ?. #afternoontea #muffin #foodie #foodlover #touslesjours #baking #cooking #matchbox #friendshipcard #catcard #etsy #etsyshop #etsyfinds #gift #shop3xu #handmade #etsyhandmade #tiny #miniature #fatcat #kitty #3xu A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Sep 19, 2015 at 11:15am PDT.
#3xu in Nagano , Japan ?????
#adventure #travel #ski #matchbox #handmade #handmadecard #matchboxcard #japan #nagano A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Sep 27, 2015 at 1:24am PDT.
Rainy day survival kit: a good book + uber cute *rainy day* mini bookmarks from @craftedvan + a little matchbox-card that cheers you up.
☔?. #rainyday #rainbow #readhappy #craftedvan #toocute #cutenessoverload #etsy #miniature #handmadecards #pagemarker #paperclips #planneraddict #bookmark #diy #tiny #smallbusiness #survivalkit #mini #funsize #3xu A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Oct 2, 2015 at 2:39pm PDT.
#3xu at Asakusa , Japan ?????#matchboxcard #handmadecard #handmade #matchbox #adventure #sensouji #goodvibes #asakusa #tokyo #japan #temple A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Oct 6, 2015 at 3:22pm PDT
Wouldn’t that be nice.
#owls #cuteowl #owlart #owllove #owllover #etsy #handmade #lovecard #paperwork #etsyfinds #etsyshop #lovegift #kawaii #growoldtogether #wouldntitbenice #happyending #togetherforever #craftsposure #shoplocal #uniquegift #cutegift #matchbox #3xu A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Oct 8, 2015 at 3:06pm PDT.
Happy Friday.
Here is one of our all time favorite love matchbox-cards. The funnest part is that you can add a personalized touch/note to the cover of the card and to the little scroll that comes with the roses (or we can customize that for you and send it directly to the recipient!) #lovebox #lovecard #cutegift #miniature #roses #iloveyou #boxedcard #personalizedgifts #custommade #handmadecards #3dcard #tiny #snailmail #loveletter #etsy #etsyshop #etsywholesale #matchbox #craftsposure #3xu A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Oct 9, 2015 at 7:20am PDT.
Geek mode ON: (left to right) 1. Will you be my Player 2. – Video game love card 2.
You are my perfect piece – Puzzle love card 3. I found you – Pacman love card 4. Happy level up – Mario birthday card 5. You are my perfect piece – Tetris love card [Link in profile] #geek #geeky #nerd #nerdy #tetris #mario #supermario #pacman #puzzle #retrogaming #playstation #ps3 #gamer #etsy #etsyshop #nintendo #gameboy #geekygift #90s #nostalgia #geekycouple #3xu A photo posted by Handmade Matchbox-Cards (@shop3xu) on Nov 8, 2015 at 7:52am PST.