These projects were built and designed by Clinton from Specific Love Creations.
Three simple, approachable projects show how to repurpose cedar fence pickets into attractive and functional items using basic tools and common shop techniques.
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Planter Box with Arched Base
This planter uses simple box construction with an aesthetic arch cut from the bottom to give the piece character while keeping the build straightforward.
The technique centers on sandwiching boards for thickness, gluing the joints, and reinforcing with short fasteners; careful clamping and protective pads help avoid marring the cedar during assembly.
Finishing is minimal but important: sand raised fibers and sharp edges, choose a protective exterior finish if using outdoors, and keep fastener length in mind to prevent protrusions.
Mini Tabletop Toss Game
A single picket and a couple of small supports become a compact tabletop toss game, using a drilled hole as the scoring target for small pouches or tea bags.
Clinton demonstrates how to reuse scrap material for the support pieces and recommends drilling the hole with a flat-cut bit or hole saw for a clean, consistent opening.
Sanding and a light finish smooth the surface for playability, and players can adapt the hole size or scoring pieces to suit the group or age of participants.
Antique-Style Toolbox (or Planter)
This project combines cut profiles on the sides with a laminated center handle to create a rustic, toolbox-style carrier that also works well as a planter or display tray.
The handle is formed by laminating and ripping a scrap or small board, then centering it between the side panels and fastening from the ends for a sturdy grip.
Final touches include rounding or sanding sharp corners, ensuring end faces are as flush as possible, and choosing a finish appropriate for the intended use—inside storage versus outdoor display.
Why These Builds Matter
All three projects demonstrate how modest joinery, good layout, and a few shop tricks can turn inexpensive fence pickets into pieces that look intentional and professional.
Key takeaways include picking boards with fewer knots for easier work and a cleaner look, sanding to remove fibers and prevent splinters, and protecting surfaces when clamping to avoid dents.
The builds also encourage resourcefulness by reusing scraps for internal support and handles, which keeps material costs low and showcases simple lamination techniques.
Beginners can adapt proportions, fastener choices, and finishes to fit available tools and personal style while practicing glue-up alignment and basic assembly strategies.
Clinton’s approach makes these projects accessible to beginners while still offering small details that lift the finished pieces beyond basic utility.
Watch the full video and subscribe to Specific Love Creations: