Boxes and Booze 2/13/21 Boxes and Booze 2/13/21

Queen of Hearts

Greek puzzle artist Mike Toulouzas creates some of the most interesting, beautiful and devious puzzles in the world. He has produced many types of puzzles, including interlocking take apart / put together designs, fiendish packing puzzles, and occasionally, a stunning puzzle box too. While he is technically a hobbyist wood worker, his skills are far superior to most mere mortals and he has won many international awards for his creations.

Boxes and Booze 1/23/21 Boxes and Booze 1/23/21

There Goes Bill!

“Oh! So Bill’s got to come down the chimney, has he?” said Alice to herself. “Shy, they seem to put everything upon Bill! I wouldn’t be in Bill’s place for a good deal: this fireplace is narrow, to be sure; but I think I can kick a little!” - Lewis Carroll

Boxes and Booze 1/9/21 Boxes and Booze 1/9/21

Rose Tree

A large rose-tree stood near the entrance of the garden: the roses growing on it were white, but there were three gardeners at it, busily painting them red. Alice thought this a very curious thing, and she went nearer to watch them, and just as she came up to them she heard one of them say, `Look out now, Five! Don't go splashing paint over me like that!’

Boxes and Booze 12/12/20 Boxes and Booze 12/12/20

Father William

‘I have answered three questions, and that is enough’

Said his father: ‘Don’t give yourself airs!

Do you think I can listen all day to such stuff?

Be off, or I’ll kick you down-stairs!’

Boxes and Booze 11/7/20 Boxes and Booze 11/7/20

Reptile Box (Free Me 8)

Joe Turner comes from a big family – eight brothers and three sisters - and Christmas was always a challenge.

Boxes and Booze 10/17/20 Boxes and Booze 10/17/20

Champion

I’m unlocking a new edition of “Locks and Libations” this week to feature another fantastic creation from magician and inventor Eric Stevens. Let’s look at another one of his unusual, innovative and original ideas – a puzzle lock made entirely from playing cards.

Boxes and Booze 10/10/20 Boxes and Booze 10/10/20

Turtle Trip

Sometimes you get invited to the party, but you just can’t find your pants. So begins the premise for one of the most surprising (and good) puzzles of what has been one of the most surprising (and bad) years in recent memory. This puzzle is so good it will make you forget about 2020, for a little while. It’s a trip worth taking.

Boxes and Booze 9/18/20 Boxes and Booze 9/18/20

Sea Chest

Neverfear! I’ve just the thing for you, my boisterous Buccaneers, a treasure chest plundered by the Corsairs straight from Davey Jones Locker. How they came to acquire it, we shall never know, as dead men tell no tales.

Boxes and Booze 9/12/20 Boxes and Booze 9/12/20

Turing Box

“The difference between a cow and a bean is a bean can begin an adventure!” - Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods

Boxes and Booze 8/29/20 Boxes and Booze 8/29/20

Ansel

There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept. – Ansel Adams

Boxes and Booze 8/22/20 Boxes and Booze 8/22/20

Lock Box

Do you like a box that locks?

Do you like a lock like box?

Yes, I like a box that locks

Yes, I like a lock like box

Yes, I like a lock like box that looks like lock of box that locks

Boxes and Booze 8/15/20 Boxes and Booze 8/15/20

Side Swiper

After investing so much time poring over the classics from twenty years ago it’s time for something new and refreshing. And speaking of investing, you can take this one to the bank. Or rather, from the “bank” – the Hughbank.

Boxes and Booze 8/8/20 Boxes and Booze 8/8/20

Donay Bottle

“I never see the glass half empty because I drink out the bottle” - Ellen DeGeneres

Boxes and Booze 6/27/20 Boxes and Booze 6/27/20

Donay Pear

We’re taking a sabbatical abroad this summer at Boxes and Booze to visit England and shine the spotlight on a very special wood turner named John Berkeley.

Boxes and Booze 5/30/20 Boxes and Booze 5/30/20

Dragos

The following excerpts were taken from a dusty leather-bound journal, recently discovered amidst the stalls of an old bookstore in Ontario.

Boxes and Booze 5/23/20 Boxes and Booze 5/23/20

AGES

“There is a certain part of all of us that lives outside of time. Perhaps we become aware of our age only at exceptional moments and most of the time we are ageless.” ― Milan Kundera

Boxes and Booze 4/25/20 Boxes and Booze 4/25/20

Lotus

The Lotus flower is an important symbol for many Eastern cultures and religions, representing the concepts of purity, enlightenment, regeneration and rebirth.

Boxes and Booze 3/14/20 Boxes and Booze 3/14/20

Escalating Box

In light of the escalating global pandemic I instead strongly advise everyone to stay home with this apropos puzzle box from the doctor of devious designs, the original Raleigh renegade, Eric Fuller.

Boxes and Booze 2/29/20 Boxes and Booze 2/29/20

Sequential Discovery Board Burr Box

This particular “six piece” board burr, which is actually nothing of the sort, is handsomely crafted from American Rock Maple and Utile “plywood”.

Boxes and Booze 2/22/20 Boxes and Booze 2/22/20

The Fairy’s Door

We are here to celebrate the original fairy door this time, finally, the one that inspired the rest. Mike Toulouzas is a highly talented woodworker from Greece whose hobby has earned him tremendous accolades in the puzzle world.

A spirited journey through the world of collectible artisan puzzles