DIY Trophy Buckle Shadow Box

Create your own buckle case to showcase some of your accomplishments! You can display buckles, trophies, photos, and more in style.

What You’ll Need:

Finished Wood
1.5” Finishing Nails
Hammer
Wood Glue
Preferred Stain
Saw (or nearby Home Depot)

Step 1:

Determine your dimensions. I created my buckle case with a 20” x 20” size. This will determine your inside pieces. As an example, my inside pieces were 19” (for the two long pieces) and 5.6” (for the six small pieces).

Step 2:

Saw your pieces, or go to your nearest Home Depot and have them cut them up for you!

Step 3:

Position your outside frame and use wood glue to secure the edges. Once the glue dries, you can use finishing nails to tightly secure. I would recommend three nails per side.

Step 4:

Measure your inside long pieces and determine where you want to place your spacers (you’ll only use four at this time). Once you’ve done that, add wood glue and allow to dry.

Step 5:

Allow the wood glue on your inside pieces to dry, and then use two or three finishing nails to secure.

Step 6:

Position your inside pieces in the frame, along with the two final spacers. Make sure you’re happy with the placement, and then secure your free spacers to the frame itself with finishing nails.

Step 7:

Apply wood glue to the edges of your inside pieces. If you’re measured correctly, they should fit snuggly into the frame.

Step 8:

Allow wood glue to dry on all sides, then finish all pieces with finishing nails.

Step 9:

Find your preferred stain, and apply in a well-ventilated or outside area (I went outside on the porch).

Use a sponge or old dish towel (gloves are also recommended) to apply stain to your desired saturation. Be careful, a little bit of stain goes a long way!