A spirited journey through the world of collectible artisan puzzles
Pairing craft cocktails with crafty puzzles
Present for You
Let’s start with a present, shall we? For me? Really? There can’t be many better puzzle boxes for this occasion than the “Present for you” box by Karakuri Creation Group artist Shou Sugimoto.
Little Game Hunter
Fancy going on an African safari, anyone? The allure of the classic game hunt is the stuff of novels by the likes of Isak Dinesen in my book, and the only shooting I’d be interested in is with my camera.
Hemlis Box
The “Hemlis Box” (a way of saying “secret” in Swedish) is the creation of Swedish carpenter and cabinet maker Gustav Nilsson.
The Donkey’s Tail
Haven’t we all felt like we are missing our tail, now and then? I suppose we have a choice in those situations, to see things like Eeyore, where everyone else is to blame, or like Pooh, who approaches life with a sunnier disposition.
Chubby Crocodile
When it comes right down to it, who really cares what the difference is between a crocodile and an alligator. I wouldn’t want to meet either one hiding in the water.
Spade Case
It’s time for a little detective work. I suppose discovering the secrets of a puzzle box is actually nothing like solving a real mystery, but it’s a nice analogy at any rate.
Dwemer Construct (Stickman 34)
This is a tale of a puzzle box, however, one that references an ancient lost race of craftspeople who built the most incredible and complex objects.
Heart Case
The idea for this puzzle was in Juno’s mind for more than twenty years, fully formed, but was far too difficult and time consuming to produce even as a prototype.
Diamond Case
Junichi Yananose is a well-known puzzle designer and crafter who for many years collaborated with Brian Young in Australia.
Dovetail Jewel Box
The Dovetail Jewel Box is truly a puzzle jewel of a puzzle box, one that pays homage to so many great puzzle boxes that came before it.
Checkmate Box
This is no ordinary chess themed box. The Stickman No. 14 Puzzle Box, aka the Checkmate Box, represents the evolutionary development of a modern day renaissance artist in his chosen medium.
Walking with the Moon
I’m facing the new year with this sense of wonder, walking with the moon, if you will. Yoh Kakuda captures the sentiment beautifully in this piece, which is closer in style to his automaton work where the movement is the beginning and the end.
