McDonald Creative Ventures

Engineering Warmth into Wood & Ink.

Handcrafted String Instruments, Repair, and Restoration

Traditional craftsmanship, engineering precision, and long-term care for violins, guitars, and other stringed instruments.

Whether you need maintenance, a careful repair, a full restoration, a custom build, or a finished instrument, McDonald String Instrument and Guitar Workshop is built to help musicians and instruments thrive.
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The Science of Warmth

Inspired by the chemistry of coffee and the joy of drawing with my daughter, Brew² blends warmth, humor, and design into everyday art.

Shop Prints and Apparel
Explore Coffee Art
Commission Custom Art

Precision in Wood

Built and restored using traditional methods informed by engineering principles — from ground coats to final varnish.

Shop Instruments
Instrument Maintenance
Instrument Repair
Custom Builds

What People Are Saying

  • "This drawing is amazing! Exactly what I wanted"

    Rita Viola (Commissioned)

  • Repair

    I had a great experience. The owner was extremely knowledgeable and clearly passionate about his craft. What impressed me most is that he actually builds his own guitars and violins, which really shows in the quality of his work and the depth of his understanding. Communication was prompt and professional throughout the entire process, and he took the time to explain what needed to be done. The repair was handled with great care. I would highly recommend this shop to anyone needing instrument repairs or maintenance. It’s clear you’re dealing with someone who truly understands and respects the instruments he works on.

  • Navy blue hoodie with a white, illustration of a squid in a coffee mug.

    "Got my hoodie yesterday. I just love it. It's comforable, warm - just awesome! Strongly recommend it.

    Ravi Iyer

  • hedgehog drinking coffee, coffee mug

    “Love my new mug! The hedgehog print is so cute I don't want to use any other mug now!”

    Julie Sell

  • A cartoon mouse dressed as a witch, wearing a green hat, stirring a hot chocolate in a mug with a Halloween pumpkin on it.

    “Excellent! I love the colors on this pillow, they make everything pop”

    Davin Kim

  • commissioned spider canvas

    “I received my awesome spider picture today, I LOVE IT"”

    Linda Zvolensky

  • A black and white drawing of a hedgehog holding a steaming cup of coffee, sitting among autumn leaves, with a pumpkin decoration on the cup.

    “Those who have seen this print think it's adorable”

    Debra Huber

  • Coffee being brewed into an orange and white mug with a hedgehog illustration, placed on a DeLonghi coffee machine.

    "First day of use! When opening this package, the mug gave me a feeling of Christmas"

    Davin Kim

Two T-shirts, one black with a white outline illustration of an owl on a tree stump and a cup, the other green with a similar but less detailed owl illustration, both placed on a wooden surface.
Drawing of a hedgehog holding a steaming mug with a pumpkin illustration on it, sitting among fall leaves.
Two white ceramic mugs with black handles and black interior, each featuring a different black and white raven illustration, placed on a wooden surface outdoors with a blurred green background.

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Drawing of a cartoon anglerfish with big black eyes, fins, and a tail, using a coffee as a lure. the fountain pen used to draw the fish is in the picture.
White mug with orange interior and handle, featuring a black and white sketch of a hedgehog holding a mug with a pumpkin illustration, sitting on holly leaves, and drinking a hot beverage with steam rising.
Woodworking Complete for the acoustic crossbow series (quiet violin build) All the carving and sawing is now complete, on to protein/mineral ground and varnish! https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benchwork #ViolinMaker #violinproject
Quiet Violin Build Part 9: carving and completing the shoulder rest holders So it is at this point that the shoulder rest holder pieces are carved and installed, they are actually attached internally with 8mm bamboo dowels to ensure they have structural support and not just surface glue. The Crossbow shape is finally complete! https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benchwork #ViolinMaker #violinproject
Quiet Violin Build Part 8: shaping the neck and fingerboard I make the general shape of the neck with the bandsaw, then use the rasp to get the neck close enough, and finalize the neck with a knife and finger planes. The fingerboard is fully shaped with a plane, then I finish everything with a scraper to get a nice clean surface. https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benchwork #ViolinMaker #violinproject
Quiet Violin Build Part 7: shaping the scroll 📜 I wanted the scroll to be like a standard violin scroll but without the same amount of detail. I thought the one designed above came out well and allowed the wood to take center stage as opposed to th
Quiet Violin Build Part 7: shaping the scroll 📜 I wanted the scroll to be like a standard violin scroll but without the same amount of detail. I thought the one designed above came out well and allowed the wood to take center stage as opposed to the carving. https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #violin #carving #luthier #ViolinMaker #handmade
Currently working on a double bass, this just made me laugh 😂 https://www.mcdcv.com/ #doublebass #violin #LuthierLife #benchwork #uprightbass
Making the quiet violin part 6b Using some chisels to finish carving out the pegbox! Then on to the scroll work... https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benchwork #ViolinMaker #violinproject
Making the quiet violin part 6a After drilling out the peg holes, I usually finish up with the drill press and drill out the start to the pegbox. Afterwards I finish up with the bandsaw and rough out the fingerboard width and pegbox width. Hope you guys like the process videos for the violin! https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benchwork #ViolinMaker #violinproject
Making the quiet violin part 5 After cutting out the main shape, I always drill out the peg holes and start the pegbox, this video shows the peg holes being drilled. I like drilling them now on both a regular violin neck and the quiet violin, it ensures the holes are straight 😉 👍 https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benchwork #ViolinMaker #violinproject
Making the quiet violin part 4 Let's cut out the general shape of the violin, this is one of two steps I actually use a power tool 👍 bandsaw for the win. https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benchwork #ViolinMaker #violinproject
Making the quiet violin part 3 This time we will be completing the lamination of the three part body! https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benchwork #ViolinMaker #violinproject
Woodworking Complete for the acoustic crossbow series (quiet violin build) All the carving and sawing is now complete, on to protein/mineral ground and varnish! https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin
Quiet Violin Build Part 9: carving and completing the shoulder rest holders So it is at this point that the shoulder rest holder pieces are carved and installed, they are actually attached internally with 8mm bamboo dowels to ensure they have struct
Quiet Violin Build Part 8: shaping the neck and fingerboard I make the general shape of the neck with the bandsaw, then use the rasp to get the neck close enough, and finalize the neck with a knife and finger planes. The fingerboard is fully shape
Quiet Violin Build Part 7: shaping the scroll 📜 I wanted the scroll to be like a standard violin scroll but without the same amount of detail. I thought the one designed above came out well and allowed the wood to take center stage as opposed to th
Currently working on a double bass, this just made me laugh 😂 https://www.mcdcv.com/ #doublebass #violin #LuthierLife #benchwork #uprightbass
Making the quiet violin part 6b Using some chisels to finish carving out the pegbox! Then on to the scroll work... https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benchwork #ViolinMaker #violinproject
Making the quiet violin part 6a After drilling out the peg holes, I usually finish up with the drill press and drill out the start to the pegbox. Afterwards I finish up with the bandsaw and rough out the fingerboard width and pegbox width. Hope you
Making the quiet violin part 5 After cutting out the main shape, I always drill out the peg holes and start the pegbox, this video shows the peg holes being drilled. I like drilling them now on both a regular violin neck and the quiet violin, it ens
Making the quiet violin part 4 Let's cut out the general shape of the violin, this is one of two steps I actually use a power tool 👍 bandsaw for the win. https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benc
Making the quiet violin part 3 This time we will be completing the lamination of the three part body! https://www.mcdcv.com/strings/store/p/handmade-silent-practice-violin #luthier #violin #benchwork #ViolinMaker #violinproject
Black and white drawing of a pumpkin with a hedgehog sitting on top (by it's stem), and a leaf underneath the pumpkin.
A black and white ink drawing of a deer with large antlers, with a coffee cup hanging from its mouth reading 'Yes Dear', and a pen placed on the paper.
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