I belong to fringe group of people still dedicated to making Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles the hard way - By Hand! I have cut wooden jigsaw puzzles for a number of years. Beginning with gifts for my wife, puzzle making over the years has become a small, but unprofitable business. To everyone but the IRS, it is a hobby.
Nicona Boot Poster
18 by 23 inches
952 pieces
74 figure pieces
Nicona Boots published a wonderful series of posters in the early 80's
to advertise thier boots. They have made some of my nicest puzzles - bright colors, lots of detail, and quality printing on thick stock are important to
the puzzle maker. This puzzle includes an anagram - "Non Minced Feet" is an anagram of "Dont Fence Me In". It also feature color line cutting along the
boot stiching and lizard's coloration.
Puzzle cutting is easier than it looks. asically, you glue a picture on some thin plywood, trim the edges, and cut out the pieces. Cutting the pieces may seem tedious, but goes quickly. On puzzles smaller than 8x10 inches, pieceing takes about as long as everything else. (For me, anyway.) There are details regarding wood type, glue, blade selection, etc., but the basic idea is very simple.
Other than killing time (and your back), why make puzzles? Wooden pieces feel nicer in the hand. However, the real reason to hand make a puzzle is that it can be much more personal, and much more challenging. Here's an example:
Springtime in Saco
16 by 12 inches
348 pieces, not all of which fit correctly, or are necessary
38 Figure pieces
This puzzle was made for my niece in Saco, Maine for Christmas 1996. I live in Florida, and feel Maine is best suited for Polar Bears, Penguins, and Lumberjacks. The puzzle makes fun of her location and climate. The puzzle is 1/8th inch birch plywood, painted white on both sides. The edge is irregular, with the title along the top, and snowflakes falling gently down the side. Inside the body of the puzzle are a number of scenes related to her idyllic small town teen age life - skiing, visiting Rapid Ray's, the local burger joint, and so forth. There are also a few typical Maine scenery items, such as a barn, a cow grazing under the lobster tree, and Mr. sun wearing glasses. Only a few pieces have any color, and some are painted on the wrong side.
Lastly, there are some extra pieces. Some don't fit anywhere, and some sort of fit, but don't attach correctly to the rest of the puzzle. Since she has no picture of the finsihed puzzle to work from, it can take a while to put this sort of puzzle together.
Puzzles are very difficult to photograph. However, I have some details of this puzzle, if you are interested. Click here for mind numbing details.
To see more puzzles, Click here.
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Here are a few more wooden object I have built. Mom would be proud.
Click here.
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