Do you know what a nicho is? Not nacho and not niche which my autocorrect keeps wanting to change it to! 😂 They are also sometimes called shrines, altar boxes, or retablos.
"Nichos are a type of folk art popular throughout Central and South America, often devotional but sometimes merely quirky. Resembling dioramas, they are made from common household objects and craft material. Common structural conventions include hinged doors, carved borders, and multiple panels. Within the box, there is a central figure or object for whose honor the nicho has been created. They are usually painted with striking colors, often contrasting bright and dark, and tend towards garish" (Source: Wikipedia - Nicho).
I saved the empty soap boxes from a recent hotel stay because I wanted to try making some nichos of my own. Mine are merely quirky and definitely garish! 😁
DIY Nicho Boxes
If you want to make your own, here is a list of supplies.
Supplies Needed
- A small box (soap box, cream cheese box, etc.)
- Paint in the colors of your choice (choose bright colors)
- Scrapbook paper
- Scraps of cardboard to add layers
- Scraps of white paper or newsprint to cover the box
- White craft glue or Mod Podge
- Something to showcase inside your nicho
These are the soap boxes I started with.
For this one, I cut the box front like a capital "I" and then opened it up so it has doors.
Then, I opened the box top and cut off the flap with some decorative scalloped-edge scissors.
I wanted to try covering the box with strips of paper and Mod Podge, almost like paper mache. I used regular white computer paper.
Here my box is all covered with white paper.
Then I painted it baby blue. I love the rustic, folk art quality that the added paper strips give it. I added a little "front porch" that I made with a scrap of cardboard.
I used some scrapbook paper inside the box.
Then I started painting flowers on it.
I really leaned into the garish folk art look, it was fun!
I added another layer of paper inside, a strip of paper around the porch to hide the cardboard edge, and painted more flowers on it.
I've had this glass heart for a long time. I always liked it but never really knew what to do with it. Now it has a perfect spot inside this nicho box!
I think it looks cool with my Mexican Tree of Life candle holders.
For the second nicho I cut the front of the soapbox completely out. I already had glue on this because I made a new front for it.
I used a scrap of cardboard and zig-zag decorative edge scissors for the new front.
I went very bold with the colors on this one. And I used a little gold cherub inside.
These are really fun and therapeutic. There isn't a pattern, you just get to doodle basically. It doesn't even matter that the painting isn't perfect. That's what folk art is all about!
The last one I made is larger. It's made from a cream cheese box.
I put a cute little Asian figurine I had inside and some beads along the top. It got a front porch also.
Do you like these? If so, which one is your favorite?
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I love these! Can't pick a favorite. Very clever :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteSuper cute! I lived in El Paso for a time and these do remind me of the religious nicho boxes you could find in the gift shops of some of the historic Catholic churches.
ReplyDeleteI would love to get a real one as a souvenir one day :)
DeleteThese are just so darned cute!! I like the one with the cherub--it is so very Mexico.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vikki!
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