In the last few years the popularity of Wood Puzzles has grown immensely. There are many reasons for this, but the Covid Pandemic was a huge catalyst in either getting people familiar with puzzling for the first time or, more likely, “reacquainted” with puzzles from years ago. With many people staying home and having watched … Continued
There are myriad things that children do and we as adults rarely continue. Doodling, playing with blocks, going down the slide, the list goes on and on. However, there are a few activities that seem to get more popular as we age, and puzzling is definitely in that category. When you are young puzzles are … Continued
What if your whole world got turned upside down by doing a puzzle? For a bored housewife named Agnes it did, and that is the premise of the movie Puzzle. Before I go further, let me first start off by saying I am no movie critic. In fact, outside of an 8th grade essay, I … Continued
There is something unique about a puzzle, more than any other indoor activity I can think of, that creates such a strong emotional connection for people. I can’t begin to tell you the number of times we have had a wood puzzle out on the table when guests are over. I would say almost 100% … Continued
We just got back from the 12th Puzzle Parley and had an amazing time. For those not familiar with the Parley, it is held every other year and is a weekend of non-stop “everything wooden puzzle”; cutting workshops, informational panels, puzzle history talks, puzzle sales and,of course, puzzling! This year, as in previous years, it … Continued
Jigthings is a company that sells a range of products for puzzlers. They have puzzle tables, puzzles cases, frames and other storage items to keep puzzles safe and secure. Given the much larger size of the cardboard puzzle market, the products seem primarily designed for that market. However, as a “wood puzzler” I was looking … Continued
Chances are if you have been collecting old wood puzzles, you have inevitably run across puzzles that are missing pieces, broken knobs or, as we have seen on more than one occasion, pieces that look like a family pet had managed to get ahold and proceed to tear up. It is especially disheartening when you … Continued
Recently we were assembling a fairly interesting Pastime Puzzle that is probably from the 1930s or 1940s. It was a pretty typical Pastime, with the icon white box and about 500 pieces inside. It was a bit unusual in that included the original description that appeared to come from the outside wrapping, which was a … Continued
Since last month I wrote a poem about Par Puzzles, it was now time to attempt to write one about Stave. Again, my apologies to all poets…enjoy. Tricks, Teasers and Trads They all are tough Messing with your brain Leaving you in a huff Tricks are the hardest Does this piece fit Myriad solutions For … Continued
Once in a blue moon I get the urge to write humorous (at least I think they are) poems. Here is my tribute to Par Puzzles(Please excuse the poetic license taken in terms of syllables and every other rule of limericks!) That big black box Sitting on the table Those Green Searhorses Atop a pronounced … Continued