Introducing: San Juan Puzzles!
Posted July 13, 2015 at 5:55 am by Tim Dustrude
Levi Doenges delivers a puzzle to Nancy DeVaux who now has bragging rights as SJ Puzzles’ very first customer – Tim Dustrude photo
San Juan Puzzles are here! Tom, Tami and Levi Doenges are the proud owners of the newest jigsaw puzzle business on San Juan Island.
It all started earlier this year when they were building a puzzle of Tom’s home state of Michigan – A discussion began about the way puzzles bring families together; a discussion which spawned the idea to create puzzles featuring the San Juan Islands.
A meeting with Tim Dustrude got the wheels rolling to locate photos and art from local artists and photographers. After finding several good images to work with, Tim helped develop the rough ideas into marketable products using his extensive background in commercial advertising and product design, and was hired to design the appearance of the boxes.
Fast forward a few months and the first series of puzzles has now arrived! They feature the works of Chris Teren, Jamie Ellsworth, Matt Pranger and Tim Dustrude. Tom, Tami and Levi give their sincere thanks to the artists for coming together on this project!
Tom, Levi and Tami Doenges show the first series of San Juan Puzzles – Tim Dustrude photo
But it’s not all about the Doenges’ – A portion of every puzzle sold will go to the artist/photographer – to local causes WhaleResearch.com and the Animal Shelter, – some funds will enable Levi to learn how to run a sustainable business – but also to help pay for his Private Flying Lessons in pursuit of his Pilot’s License. Puzzles are made with ‘green’ recycled materials and printed with soy based inks.
Custom orders are welcome for wedding announcements and engagements as well as special events and fundraisers.
Tom says, “We are planning to expand into future series using artists’ works from all of the San Juan Islands and points of interest. We welcome artists from all islands to submit their ‘best 3’ selections of work for consideration in our next production run. We are ‘The Puzzled Juans'”.
To find out where to buy yours, check them out at www.sanjuanpuzzles.com – you can order online or see who sells them locally. Also, they will be available at the SJC Fair on Thursday, August 13th, for a One-Day-Only Sale (if you can wait that long).
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Categories: Around Here
2 comments:
2 comments...
One of my favorite families on the island and I think this is an awesome idea. I know I will buy some for family and friends – wishing you all the success and many more puzzles in the future!
Wonderful article about a wonderful young family venture. It’s exciting on many levels; especially finding a niche & a passion in one package. You’re creating another avenue to connect (through your music+)now passion; & the people you meet along the way is what makes it all the more wild. The ice cream is you are doing it with Levi; kudos to you both. deb.
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