A spirited journey through the world of collectible artisan puzzles
Pairing craft cocktails with crafty puzzles
The Navigator’s Box
Thomas Cummings has been making puzzle boxes for his family and friends in his Georgia workshop for years. Some recipients of his handiwork have apparently deserved particularly devious designs, and Thomas seems to relish the opportunity to inflict his puzzle passion on the willing.
The Button Box
It’s time to break out the decoder ring again. The stealth spy operatives over at Cryptic Woodworks are at it again, incorporating hidden clues, codes and riddles into the very workings of the puzzle box.
Oskar’s Treasure Chest
“Oskar’s Treasure Chest” looks and functions just like the more famous 3x3 twisty cube puzzle we all know and love, but with an added surprise bonus.
The Box with a Tree
Another one of Iwahara’s famous creations is his “Box with a Tree” which won an “Honorable Mention” prize in the 2006 Nob Yoshigahara Puzzle Design Competition. This unassuming little box appears to be a rather plain wooden box, originally crafted in walnut, with a small silhouette of a tree in the lower corner.
Spring Box
The Spring Box is a cube of walnut wood with large holes on all six sides through which you can see another cube of red rose wood. The internal cube floats in place, held by the opposing forces of six large springs.
A Chance Meeting
This perfectly Patrick’s Day worthy puzzle box is one of Japanese master craftsman Tatsuo Miyamoto’s most famous works. His “A Chance Meeting” is truly elegant.
A Man’s Got to Go!
You’ll have to excuse me for a moment. It’s rather urgent, and there’s really nothing I can do about it at this point. It’s just a fact of life, after all. I know there are plenty of you out there who will understand. Someone who I know for sure will understand is Tracy Wood Clemons, who created the “A Man’s Got To Go!” box.
Havana’s Box 4
We are going back to Cuba again here on B+B. In July, 2015, the United States and Cuba resumed diplomatic relations after over 50 years of silence. Perhaps this year we will see the long standing embargoes lifted. Time will tell, as they say, but rather than wait, let’s get puzzling.
Born Book Puzzle
This week we are featuring a beautiful wooden book created by up and coming woodworker Jesse Born from Rome, New York. His “Book” puzzle is an elegantly crafted delight to hold and explore. Made from maple, cherry and pine woods, it has additional accents of mahogany and spalted maple.
Love Box 5
Kamei created a number of “Love Box” puzzles shaped like little hearts. No. 5 is a cute little piece in dark wood, with a bright yellow wood ribbon, and a red cloth lined secret compartment.
Keeper’s Key Safe
Way back in the “days of old”, according to the story, the city’s valuables were held in safes which were duly guarded by designated “Keepers”. The Keepers were personally responsible for the security of these safes, and holding onto the key that opened them.
Geisha Secret
Japanese master Yoshio Okiyama, was a third generation secret-box maker who was taught by his father, Yoshitaro Okiyama, who in turn was taught by his father, Tatsunosuke Okiyama, one of the 3 original founders of this art form dating back to sometime after 1870.
Hawaiian Hijinks Cake
Aloha from paradise. For this week’s installment, Boxes and Booze has gone on location. It was time to discuss another one of master puzzle maker Perry McDaniel’s fine confectionery creations, the “Hawaiian Hijinks Cake”. In order to fully appreciate the puzzling nature of this finely crafted delicacy I felt compelled to seek out its inspirational source.
Borg Box (Stickman No. 5)
There is a particular puzzle box on my shelf which has been sitting there for a while, beckoning me. It’s particularly stunning to look at, composed of a tapestry of wooden shapes and types, so it’s marvelous simply as a piece of art. But that’s not why it beckons.
Soba (Buckwheat Noodle)
In many parts of Japan the New Year’s Eve celebration includes a very traditional dish of soba noodles, called “toshikoshi”, which translates as “climbing” or “jumping” from the old year to the new.
Wrapping Box
A great example of one of these annual puzzle box treats with a sense of humor is the “Wrapping Box” by Kyoko Hoshino. It was created to resemble an actual present, wrapping paper and all, complete with a ribbon and little bells. Hoshino likes to incorporate cloth and other unusual materials into her designs. In this case, the puzzle box is all wrapped up in festive cloth. You can feel the box inside, but you can’t unwrap it. How will you open it?