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DIY Pirate Chest

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I created this DIY pirate chest to be used as a card-box for a pirate themed bridal shower I threw for my friend. Aren’t themed parties just the best kind of parties?

I love being able to create something special for each of the parties I throw. But I hate just throwing away all of my creations after the party is over.

DIY Pirate Chest Card box

If I’m going to make something, I want to be able to reuse it. Whether that’s for another party at a different time, or if I’m able to use it in my house. This DIY treasure chest is just that type of project.

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As I’m sure you know, I hosted a pirate themed bridal shower for one of my best friends. You can check out these awesome ocean-themed centerpieces we used on the tables.

To keep with the pirate theme, I created this wooden treasure chest to use as a card box. It’s the perfect size to fit multiple cards, but not too large that its hard to carry around.

DIY Pirate Chest

It was so easy to make a treasure chest! Hobby Lobby sells the perfect wood box to use as the base of your pirate chest. They even have a small wooden treasure chest that matches this one. I was able to use that one for a fun ring game!

Bought a wood treasure chest box from hobby lobby

Then all you need is to stain it! I used my homemade stain, but you can definitely use store bought. I love findings on this box! If you use the vinegar stain, it sort of tarnishes them.

stained the wood box

Don’t worry if it tarnishes them too much. You can take a rag with some water and wipe it away. But I love the extra worn look that it gives the wooden treasure box.

wood box fully stained

I also stained the inside of the box, just so that it would be a fully finished piece in case anyone looked inside.

inside of box stained

Once the box was completely stained, I used hot glue to add some decorative netting and gems to make the treasure chest look like it was found in a cave somewhere.

hot glued some netting gems and gold coins to the chest

I also added some gold coins. If you want the lid to stay open, you’ll need to build up some of the gold coins on the side of the treasure chest to prop the lid up.

finished DIY Pirate card chest

I love this project because it’s great for a kids treasure chest too! I’m going to be using it for my kids birthday party as well! It’s so versatile.

And then once all the parties are over, you can use this DIY wooden chest as decor in your kids rooms or anywhere else in your house!

Yield: 1

DIY Pirate Chest

DIY Pirate Chest

DIY Pirate Chest for any party or Halloween!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Active Time 40 minutes
Additional Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 1 hour
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $30

Materials

  • Wood box
  • Stain
  • Wax
  • Optional Supplies:
  • Hot glue sticks
  • Decorative fish netting
  • Gems
  • Lights
  • Gold coins

Tools

  • Hot glue gun

Instructions

  1. Stain your box. Since I used my DIY Stain, I applied the stain twice. Follow the directions on your stain if you use something different.
  2. Wax box and allow to dry overnight. (Again since I used the DIY stain, I waxed the box after then allowed to dry overnight.)
  3. To give your box an extra special feel, apply decorate netting and gems.
  4. Drape the netting over the front inside the wooden box. Apply hot glue to the inside of the box and attach the netting to it.
  5. To apply gems to the netting, take your hot glue gun and apply gems/pearls, coins sporadically around the netting.
  6. If you want your box to stay open, glue a couple gold coins together and then glue to the opening of the box in the back. This will leave the box half open.

There you have it! Your very own DIY pirate chest! I can’t stress how easy this project was. Using the wooden treasure box from Hobby Lobby makes this one of the easiest DIY’s ever.

You can use this for parties, as decoration for Halloween, or even as a toy storage in your kids rooms!

How did you enjoy this DIY pirate chest? I would love to see if you make this and how you make it your own!

Pirate Bridal Shower - DIY Pirate Chest

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