A spirited journey through the world of collectible artisan puzzles
Pairing craft cocktails with crafty puzzles
Ready Player One
Matt Williams, a mechanical engineer and die cast machinist from England, has been creating a unique trilogy of nostalgic gaming puzzles that incorporate thematic mechanisms into the puzzle solutions.
Defying Gravity
Fans of Alex Owens’ fantastically complicated interlocking puzzles, such as the Heart Box and the award winning Piano, know he is a master of engineering intricate puzzling experiences. How forcefully you fall for his newest oldest puzzle will theoretically depend on your individual mass.
All Aboard!
In Japan, there are “passenger pushers”, known as oshiya, who help push people onto the overcrowded trains to keep things moving on time. Although they are not as prevalent as they once were, you can now practice the skill on yourself with this charming packing puzzle by Jordi Gallen.
The Royal Game
Marc Duran, a French business consultant and IT specialist with an interest in “history, architecture, cryptology, brain teasers and puzzles”, decided to embark on a new passion project a few years ago: creating his own perfect puzzle boxes that embody all of his interest.
The Well Tempered Clavier
Johanne Sebastian Bach was one of the most prolific composers of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, during a period of musical evolution known as the Baroque.
Keys to the Castle
Benno Baatsen, who began designing puzzle boxes when he was around ten years old, has kept his dreams, and his limitless ideas, alive.
Dragon Slayer
Luke Waier, a mechanical engineer from Houston, Texas, is the master storyteller behind the sensational new creation Fafnir’s Fortress.
Chestnuts Roasting
The story unfolds by a cozy fireplace and hearth, complete with a little chimney. The fireplace is empty, as is the mantle. Some preparations are clearly in order to set the scene properly and welcome the Christmas Spirit!
Golden Ticket
I recently received a mysterious package. The return label identified the sender as “The Source”. I suspect it may have come from the CIA, as the address listed Arlington, Virginia. It was also not addressed to me, but rather one “WSW” ...
At Your Pleasure
In March of 1882, construction began on what would become the largest unfinished Catholic church in the world, the Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família.
Matters of the Heart
They say you never forget your first love, and it’s likely true with puzzle boxes too. I’d argue that with a Mowen’s puzzle box, on the other hand, you might try not to forget, but try as you might, you’ll get lost every time – and probably love every moment all over again.
You’ve Got Mail
There’s something thrilling about receiving mail. Perhaps the excitement of getting a physical letter from someone wears off as we get older, likely tempered by all the bills and junk mail, but even now in my jaded days it’s still nice when that happens. And if getting a special letter is a nice surprise, well I don’t need to tell you what it’s like to receive an eagerly awaited puzzle box.
Coastal Living
There was a time, once upon a time in the not too distant past, when becoming a metagrobolotegestolomixologist was merely a speculative thought experiment meant as clever wordplay.
Critic’s Pick
If mechanical puzzles came with a soundtrack, this one would elicit fine chords of acoustic guitar to placate you every time you picked it up, soothing your frustration in failing to solve its secrets. And if you found yourself with a selection of well made, compact, clever, multistep, elegant and entertaining sequential discovery puzzles to choose from this year, you would surely heed the call of this one, to Pick Me.
Big Things
A little over three years ago now, Alan Lunsford began introducing the world to these marvelously compact little puzzle cubes that pack a punch.
Year of the Dragon
It’s time to celebrate bravery, creativity and innovation here at Boxes and Booze – because it’s the Year of the Dragon!
The Piano Has Been Drinking
It’s time to celebrate another new designer here on the pages of B&B, someone familiar to many by way of his surprisingly complex and mind boggling printed puzzle boxes but being featured here for the first time and at long last.
Feeling Dizzy
I continue to be impressed and inspired by the big ideas from QuizBrix, and thrilled with their wonderfully fun creations which are made completely out of Lego bricks.