The Matchbox Maker

Little works of art, beautifully boxed.

From Cotswolds, England

From the Cotswolds

Locally headquartered here in the UK

Sustainably made

Eco-friendly materials and low-impact processes.

Plastic free

Made without plastic packaging.

Independent & Proud

Not part of a large corporate group.

"Luxury isn’t always loud — sometimes, it’s found in the small, beautiful boxes."

– Michelle Harle and Katie Crosbie Dawson

PERSPECTIVE

Why we love The Matchbox Maker

We love The Matchbox Maker because Michelle and Katie have captured something wonderfully simple: the power of a tiny, beautifully made object to brighten someone’s day. Their matchboxes feel personal, nostalgic and thoughtful — a little moment of delight in a world that often moves too fast.

They’re elegant without being serious, luxurious without being showy, and meaningful without being grand. It’s gifting at its most human — and exactly the kind of maker we love to champion.

Meet the founders

At the heart of The Matchbox Maker are three guiding principles:

1. Small gifts with big meaning

Their matchboxes are designed to be heartfelt keepsakes — easy to gift, lovely to receive, and full of character.

2. Beauty in the details

From the illustrations to the materials to the tiny messages hidden inside, every element is thoughtfully crafted.

3. Creativity with purpose

As founders, Michelle and Katie built the brand to do something fulfilling — something that sparks joy, inspires connection, and brings a little magic into everyday life.

Product title

£99.99

The The Matchbox Maker story

The Matchbox Maker was founded by long-time friends Michelle Harle and Katie Crosbie Dawson, who launched the company in 2025 after both finding themselves at turning points in life.

The idea started in an unlikely place — a catch-up at the races. Both juggling young families, both ready for a new chapter, and both craving something creative they could build with pride. Their youngest children had finally started school, creating a small but precious window of time, and with it, the space for inspiration to strike.

With Katie’s experience in the gift industry and Michelle’s background in bespoke luxury, they combined their skills and set out to create something special — thoughtful matchboxes designed to be kept, gifted and cherished. What began as a tiny spark quickly became The Matchbox Maker: a brand built around beauty, sentiment and small objects that make a big impact.

Their ambition is simple: to create a growing range of luxury matchboxes that bring joy, comfort and meaning. Each design is a celebration of storytelling, nostalgia and craftsmanship — tiny treasures for life’s little moments.

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How we curate our independent makers

At The Local, every maker we feature has been handpicked — not just for what they make, but how they make it. From the first sketch of a label to the last pour of a bottle, we look for craft, care, and a sense of place that’s unmistakably local. Our curation process champions independent creators who share our principles of quality, sustainability, and community — so when you buy from The Local, you know it’s the real deal.

Learn more about our curation process →