Woodchips What Knots – Bouctouche Baie

Summer is a wonderful time to go exploring, and our region is filled with beautiful scenic spots just right for taking in the sights and sounds of this most special time of year. Just northeast of Moncton along the Acadian coast lies the beautiful Town of Bouctouche – home to ocean vistas, warm, sandy beaches, and cosy specialty shops off the beaten track filled with unique treasures.

One of the most enchanting and delightful stops along Route 475, a little past the Bouctouche town centre, is Woodchips What Knots and Woodchuck’s Wood Carving Studio. Located at 1554 on the Baie Route it’s a little slice of heaven on earth. Overlooking Bouctouche Bay, this lovely spot is a photographer’s dream and a treasure hunter’s dream come true. There’s the main homestead, studio, and antique shop nestled along the coast surrounded by a quaint and colourful garden perfumed by the salt air that blows in gently from the bay.

Proprietor Cheryl Bernard of Woodchips What Knots is warm, personable, and very knowledgeable about the wonderful antiques and collectibles in her shop. "I attend local auctions and buy-outs of estate items," she says, "and I especially look for lovely and unusual items." With an eye for beauty and quality, Cheryl says, "I buy what I like, and very often it’s just the thing buyers want." Her shop is home to a huge collection of over 200 vintage hats from the 40's and 50's, elegant period lamps, heritage mirrors and carved picture frames, antique precious and fashion jewellery, perfume bottles, top quality glassware including collectible ruby glass and a host of other items such as china, figurines, silverware, and crockery. These are just a few of the categories of items Cheryl carries. It’s worth a trip to her shop to discover treasures of your own!

Adjacent to Woodchips What Knots is Charles Bernard’s studio. New Brunswick’s own woodchuck, Charles’ inviting and compelling personality is matched only by his boundless talent and complex mind, with the result that his wood carvings are unique, timely, funny, and informative. His life story and his varied and interesting past is all recorded in the unique wood carvings in his studio which is open for personalized tours hosted by the artist himself. It’s worth a visit just to view the pieces which are a testament to today’s political and social climate with timely issues that face us all. Drop in and discover your favourite wood carving. My favourite piece? The realistically carved Tim Horton’s coffee cup! Of course, the tall ship’s mast and the fore and aft decks off the shop’s side walls turn this studio into a worthy vessel for plying the waters of your imagination. Kids of all ages will love it.

This summer, seek adventures in the attractions that surround us. Take a leisurely drive along our coastal waters and be sure to stop for a while at Woodchips What Knots and Woodchuck’s Studio. You’ll be sure to have a laugh, make some friends, find a keepsake, and discover a very special corner of the world.