DIY Nicho Boxes

19 April

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


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.


DIY Nicho Boxes


For this one, I cut the box front like a capital "I" and then opened it up so it has doors.


DIY Nicho Boxes


Then, I opened the box top and cut off the flap with some decorative scalloped-edge scissors.


DIY Nicho Boxes


I wanted to try covering the box with strips of paper and Mod Podge, almost like paper mache. I used regular white computer paper.


DIY Nicho Boxes

DIY Nicho Boxes


Here my box is all covered with white paper.


DIY Nicho Boxes


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.


DIY Nicho Boxes


I used some scrapbook paper inside the box.


DIY Nicho Boxes


Then I started painting flowers on it.


DIY Nicho Boxes


I really leaned into the garish folk art look, it was fun!


DIY Nicho Boxes


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.


DIY Nicho Boxes

DIY Nicho Boxes

DIY Nicho Boxes


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!


DIY Nicho Boxes

DIY Nicho Boxes


I think it looks cool with my Mexican Tree of Life candle holders.


DIY Nicho Boxes


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.


DIY Nicho Boxes


I used a scrap of cardboard and zig-zag decorative edge scissors for the new front.


DIY Nicho Boxes


I went very bold with the colors on this one. And I used a little gold cherub inside.


DIY Nicho Boxes


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!


DIY Nicho Boxes

DIY Nicho Boxes

DIY Nicho Boxes


The last one I made is larger. It's made from a cream cheese box.


DIY Nicho Boxes


I put a cute little Asian figurine I had inside and some beads along the top. It got a front porch also.


DIY Nicho Boxes

DIY Nicho Boxes

Do you like these? If so, which one is your favorite?


DIY Nicho Boxes

DIY Nicho Boxes

DIY Nicho Boxes

DIY Nicho Boxes

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DIY Nicho Boxes
Posted by: at 19 April Tag:

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  1. Mother DeerApril 19, 2023

    I love these! Can't pick a favorite. Very clever :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Super 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.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to get a real one as a souvenir one day :)

      Delete
  3. These are just so darned cute!! I like the one with the cherub--it is so very Mexico.

    ReplyDelete

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