A spirited journey through the world of collectible artisan puzzles
Pairing craft cocktails with crafty puzzles
Celestial Box
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. – Galileo Galilei
Sequential Discovery Board Burr Box
This particular “six piece” board burr, which is actually nothing of the sort, is handsomely crafted from American Rock Maple and Utile “plywood”.
The Fairy’s Door
We are here to celebrate the original fairy door this time, finally, the one that inspired the rest. Mike Toulouzas is a highly talented woodworker from Greece whose hobby has earned him tremendous accolades in the puzzle world.
Dark Fairy Door
“Come Fairies, take me out of this dull world, for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame!” - William Butler Yeats
Ripple Out
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” – Mother Teresa
55-Move Box (Stickman No. 2)
The first Stickman box, the Oak Wood Slide Box, was not truly “No. 1” in the series until there was a second, naturally. I wrote about that one, another favorite, a few years ago as a nice year end tribute, so let’s focus on No. 2 now, a box that launched an empire.
Art Deco Clock Box
Reflecting on time has been a preoccupation since at least the ancient Greeks, whose original god of time, Chronos, personified the concept.
Santa’s Workshop
St. Nicholas was a Greek monk from the third century, born near modern day Turkey. He was famed for his generosity and kindness, especially to children, and his life was celebrated.
Moulin Rouge
With a stroke of his pencil and paintbrush, the famous French painter Toulouse-Lautrec released his art on the world so that it might live. His philosophy might also give insight into the driving force behind the desire to solve a puzzle box – as an inherent act of life itself, perhaps.
Japanese Measuring Cup
The masu, traditionally made from Japanese cypress wood, is a simple cubic box made to a very specific measurement. These were originally used to measure exactly 1 serving of rice, known in Japanese as “go”
Flatliner Deluxe
Mike Toulouzas, who lives in Greece and occasionally makes some truly beautiful and award winning puzzles, was inspired for this particular piece by another appropriately named packing puzzle, “Stuffing”, by Liu Suzuki.
Beaulid Box
The Beaulid Box was one of Fuller’s few box collaborations, a category which includes the Stickman No. 4 Clutch Tile Box with Robert Yarger, the Portable Pen Box with John Devost, the B-Box / Reactor with Goh Pit Khiam, and the Penultimate Burr Box Set with Ken Irvine.
Gold Chest
“All that is gold does not glitter, not all those who wander are lost; the old that is strong does not wither, deep roots are not reached by the frost.” – J.R.R.Tolkien
Scriptum Cube
We are taking a journey this week back in time and place, to ancient Greece and the realm of the great heroes and gods.
Don’t Shout Box
It’s fitting then to remember the man who made this puzzle box on Halloween this year. I've always thought that the “Don’t Shout” box is well suited for the Halloween theme, because perhaps it contains a spooky surprise inside that will make you want to scream.