A spirited journey through the world of collectible artisan puzzles
Pairing craft cocktails with crafty puzzles
Rising Above
Dee Dixon is on a roll. Or at least, his newest puzzle box is, if placed on end at the top of a slope.
Knight Rider
Any witch or wizard worth their wand and in need of transportation, because they are too young to aparate or too old to bother, knows all that is required is to hail the bus.
What about BOB?
Kagen Sound is trying something new. The American master of finely crafted secret opening boxes is incorporating electronics now, but at least in this case, the batteries are included.
Keeping Cool
The record heat wave we are experiencing in Texas has a lot of folks reaching for an ice cold refreshment. I reached for an entire refrigerator and freezer unit.
Haute Springs
Japan has a wealth of natural wonders, not least of which are the famed hot springs (onsen) found in mountainous regions which are caused by geothermal volcanic activity.
Cloak of Invisibility
The Ninja, and related Shinobi warriors, were prominent in 15th century Japan during the Sengoku period.
Ship Shape
On June 8, 1879, George Washington issued the first official presidential order in United States history.
Voyages Extraordinaires – Part I
In 1866 (so the story goes) nations around the globe begin sighting a mysterious sea monster.
Red Handed
A staple of the northern European diet for over three thousand years, the tasty sardine and its big brother the herring can be enjoyed raw, salted, pickled and dried, just to name a few common preparations.
Bread and Butter
Milkfat (also known as butter fat) is present in milk as microscopic globules kept separate by their phospholipid and protein membranes.
Radio Days
For those of you following along with the robot wars saga (aka the “robopocalypse”), there has been a development.
A Spirited Way
The Karakuri Creation Research Group of puzzle box artisans are beloved for their fanciful secret opening boxes, which are often quite magical.
Safe Keeping
I’m always curious how people come up with their ideas, and how they see them to production. Akhil Sudeep, a designer from India, recently shared his story and the origins of his new puzzle box with me.
Brick by Brick
“We are hoping to spread the word that we make the best LEGO PB out there and try to create more great puzzles in the future.”
Cosmic Buddha
According to Mr. Puzzle (the original), the mountainous, momentous objective of this puzzling object “is to get Mt Fuji to blow it's top and find the Buddha of All-Illuminating Wisdom, the Dainichi Nyorai.
Paleolithic Puzzling
The Paleolithic era Tuc d'Audoubert cave is located in the south of France. The masterpieces of this cave are two clay bisons, the best preserved examples of clay modellings in the whole of European cave art. They are 15,000 years old, and have become iconic.
Dew the Suze
Sometimes, you just want a soda. Sure, you know it’s bad for you, basically sugar-water and chemicals, and that you really shouldn’t indulge. But life is too short for the ascetic life, right?