Thursday, December 29, 2011

Juried Shows


In order to show my work in the best possible venue, I apply only to juried shows .

A juried show is where a panel of qualified jurors sit in a darkened room viewing digital images presented by the show applicants.

The jurors have approximately 7 seconds to view and score four images of the work and the display. The scores are then tallied and the spaces are awarded to the high scorers.

I have been fortunate to participate in over 200 shows.

I prefer to sell my work in this manner because I get a chance to explain the design process as it relates to my love of the medium.

Hopefully I will have a chance to see you walk into my booth someday so check my schedule frequently. My next show is the only one I will be doing in Dade County this year, the 61st Annual Beaux Arts' Festival of Art will take place January 7th & 8th, 2012 on the beautiful grounds of University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. The festival is open each day from 10 AM to 5 PM, and it's free!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Beaux Arts Festival of Art


Be sure to come by to preview some of my new designs.

The 61st Annual Beaux Arts Festival of Art will take place January 7th & 8th, 2012 on the beautiful grounds of University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. The festival is open each day from 10 AM to 5 PM.

The Beaux Arts Festival of Art offers art for many budgets, live eclectic music and other free entertainment, children's art experiences, fabulous dining options, and free admission all weekend to the Lowe Art Museum.

This will be my only show in Dade county this year. Beaux Arts provides a laid back, quiet venue where one can leisurely peruse the offerings, and it's free.

Hope to see you there,
Don and Carol Boudreau

Friday, December 16, 2011

Au Naturel


No stains or dyes are used in my Award Winning designs. 


 While there are many chemical stains and dyes available to alter the appearance of wood, I prefer to reveal its innate beauty. 


By doing so, I am able to emphasize the natural colors, textures, and intricate grain patterns as well as showcase any of the imperfections that give the piece a unique personality.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Workshop


You know that Santa's workshop is filled with elves making toys. But Boudreau's workshop is a one-man establishment. All of the boxes you see displayed on these pages are created by me in my shop in Hollywood Florida.

It's a quiet area overlooking the inter costal waterway which gives me lots of solitude and serenity when I have to work out the details of that new design.

I have been creating boxes from this location since 1999 and have amassed quite a collection of power and hand tools. I presently own and use the following:
  • Delta 10" Unisaw cabinet saw with Wixey digital readout
  • Rikon 18" band saw
  • Jet 14" band saw
  • Grizzly 6 X 89 oscillating edge sander
  • Jet 22-44 oscillating Drum sander
  • Jet 15" planer with/Byrd Shelix cutterhead
  • Delta 6" Jointer with/Byrd Shelix cutterhead
  • Jet Floor Model Drill Press
  • Delta Bench model drill press
  • Norm Abrams design router table
  • Hawk Routershop Table
  • Dewalt scroll saw
  • Paasch spray booth
  • Beall wood buff system
  • Porter Cable Orbital sanders
  • Joe Woodworker Vacuum press system
Plus lots of other small tools too numerous to list.

Leave milk and cookies for Santa, if you want toys. And place your order for a hand-made box with me if you want quality boxes for all your collectibles, jewelry, and gifts. 

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Holiday Sale

Hard to believe but the Holidays are just around the corner. Time to put ALL my boxes on SALE. Enter the Voucher code "HOHOHO" during checkout and receive a 10% discount on your total purchase!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Upcoming Show: Washington Craft Show


On December 2-4, 2011, Donald and Carol Boudreau will be one set of only 15 artists displaying pieces in the the category of wood. The show will take place at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and tickets are only $15. Other categories include: glass, leather, metal, ceramics, furniture, jewelry, and paper. There will even be fashion shows of wearable art. We hope you will come out to join us!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Children in Distress


In October 2011, Carol, myself and other members of the Kwan Um School of Zenvisited the Linh Son Vietnamese-Chinese Temple in Kushinagar, Northern India. There we met Rev. Thích Nữ Trí Thuận, a Vietnamese Buddhist Nun who came to the temple in 1989 and founded the school there. The current enrollment is 335 but over 6000 children have gone through the school saving them from a life of disease, poverty, and exploitation. The school is funded through donations and by renting rooms to travelers making thier pilgrimage along the "Buddha Trail" from Varinasi to Lumbini, Nepal.

We were so impressed with the school and the staff there, we decided to pledge10% of all our internet box sales to help support the school. This was not our first trip to India and we observed the povery in the North to be worse than other areas we had visited before.

As the Holiday season approaches, this would be a good time to select a gift for a loved one that will help one of these children.

Help us spread the word by Liking us on Facebook. --Donald Boudreau

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Tamo Ash Wood



Tamo Ash, sometimes known as Japanese Ash, is another beautiful wood used in my boxes. Tamo comes from Southeast Asia, usually Japan. This type of wood is not in great supply, but has very unique and stunning features.

Tamo Ash's grain pattern is unlike that of any other ash species. The grain is very swirly and is often referred to as "peanut" grain as the bubble-like surface often resembles a peanut. Tamo Ash also produces a very dramatic "waterfall" effect which is made even more beautiful with staining.

For more information on this and other woods used in my boxes, visit my website!


Source: Wood-Veneer

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Wenge Lumber

Wenge Lumber is one of the woods I use in my unique boxes! As with many exotic woods, it is usually selected for its dramatic appearance and color.


Wenge is typically found in Zaire and other small countries in West Africa. There are about 40 species of the Millettia Tree (which is the family of this wood) and these trees can grow 90 feet high and 3-4 feet around.

This wood is straight grained with a very coarse texture and stripes of blackish brown to light tan. Wenge sands reasonably well and gives a beautiful finish, if oiled properly. That being said, Wenge is a very porous wood and getting a good finish on it usually requires a skilled woodworker. 

A few important things to note when working with Wenge:

1. Dust collection is essential when working wit this wood, as it can become toxic if ingested.
2. Any slivers or splinters should be attended to immediately as they can fester.


Stay tuned to my blog for more information on other types of wood used in my boxes and visit my website to see all of my pieces!

Source: TheWoodBox

Sunday, October 16, 2011

KB-1 Keepsake Box


This exotic wood box is just the place to tuck away cards, stamps, matches, or any other papers or knick-knacks you can think of!

The body is American Cherry with Wendge Dovetai splines at the mitered corners. The lid is a laminated panel of the exotic woods listed below with concealed slot hinges.

Woods Used:
Bloodwood - Brazil
Wenge - Africa
Canarywood - Brazil
Movingui - Africa
Curly Maple - USA

This box is signed and all of the woods you see above are listed on the bottom of the box. The bottom of this gorgeous box is lined with a tan suede cloth to give your valuables a safe and comfortable home!

Visit my website to see more of my one-of-a-kind boxes!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

HB-3 Humidor


This handsome amboyna burl and Ebony has a unique look and feel. The body is constructed from solid spanish cedar with a cedar liner. This humidor will hold approximately 75 cigars.


The outside of the box is is veneered with amboyna burl with gabon ebony inlays at the corners. Other features include:




  • Solid brass Brusso quadrant hinges.
  • A Cigar Caddy Humidifier.
  • A Hygroset 2 Digital Hygrometer.
  • A hygrometer calibration kit
  • Directions on how to set up and care for your humidor.

    No stains are used. This is the natural color of the woods.
    This box is signed and all the woods used are listed on the bottom.
    This beautiful one-of-a-kind box is finished with 5 coats of lacquer and hand rubbed to a high luster.




    To view more of my products, visit my website
  • Tuesday, August 23, 2011

    New Jewelry Box Design


    This beautiful, one-of-a-kind sculptured jewelry box was just completed.

    The body of this box is African wenge with ebony "butterfly" splines reinforcing the mitered corners and macassr ebony legs mortised into the corners.

    The lid is a 4 way book matched macassar ebony burl veneered panel framed in sapele with a walnut and macassar ebony.

    The tray and dividers are made of walnut, wenge and macasar ebony.

    As always, no stains are used. This is the natural color of the woods.  It is finished with special oils and waxes and hand rubbed to a high luster.

    To view more photos, or to purchase, please visit my website.


    Tuesday, August 16, 2011

    New Tea Box Design


    This striking tea box is constructed of Bolivian rosewood with ebony "butterfly" splines at the mitered corners.

    The lid is a veneered panel of birds eye maple framed in wenge with a macassar ebony and sapele border and a rosewood  knob.

    This box has unique rounded edges and the cherry wood dividers accommodate lager 3"x4" gourmet teat bags.  There is space to hold eight varieties of your favorite teas.

     




    This box is signed by the artist and all if the woods used are listed on the bottom.

    This beautiful one-of-a-kind box is finished with special oils and waxes and hand rubbed to a high luster.

    To view more and to purchase, please click here.

    Friday, August 5, 2011

    Spotlight on Artist, Don Boudreau


    New England wood artisan Donald Boudreau started his life's dream in 1992 when he and his wife Carol sold everything and moved aboard their 49 foot sailboat "Domicile" and started an around the world cruise.  During their many adventures, one thing in particular captivated Don. It was the beauty and unique qualities of the tropical hardwoods, which he found in Central & South America and the South Pacific.

    Six years and 25,000 miles later, they found themselves in New Zealand with an extensive wood collection and a yearning for shore life.

    After settling in South Florida, Don started building boxes using some of the woods he encountered on their adventure.

    No stains or dyes used in his Award Winning designs. While there are many chemical stains and dyes available to alter the appearance of wood, he prefers to reveal its innate beauty. By doing so, he is able to emphasize the natural colors, textures, and intricate grain patterns as well as showcase any of the imperfections that give the piece a unique personality.

    Since box making has endless possibilities, Don is constantly searching for new and exotic woods to incorporate into new designs. Don was invited to show his work at the prestigious Smithsonian Craft Show.

    Don is a member and past president of the South Florida Woodworking Guild.