A spirited journey through the world of collectible artisan puzzles
Pairing craft cocktails with crafty puzzles
The Wolf from Grimm
Ready for a spooky tale of harrowing horror, just in time for Halloween? Well, I suppose this tale won’t terrify, but it is from a collection of one of the original horror stories – Grimm’s Fairytales.
Box with a Key
Let’s step back and admire our old friend and champion of the modern day puzzle box, Japanese master Akio Kamei.
The Apothecary Chest
Robert Yarger is a modern day puzzle box apothecary, producing the equivalent of such enrichment in wood.
Knight vs. Dragon
The internal mechanism is a brilliantly executed marvel to behold, but the action all plays out on the top of the box, enacted by the main characters, the Knight and the Dragon.
Abracadabra
Without giving too much away I’ll just say that you’ll need to do a little magic to make this box reveal its secrets. It really lives up to its name.
Super-Cubi (Trinary Box)
Hiroshi Iwahara is one of the well-known and highly respected artisans from the Karakuri Creation Group who has designed and produced well over fifty individual puzzle boxes with the group.
A Twist of Fate
This is A Twist of Fate, a very special, bittersweet puzzle box, from the incredibly talented Aussie Dave Cooper.
Spinomotto
Stephen Chin puzzles often carry a few of his hallmarks, including tiny electronic lights and sounds which are triggered when the puzzle has been solved. He is also quite fond of whistles and spinning tops. And his puzzles are often wrapped up in a cute sock. Odd?
Reversal of Fortune
The end of Prohibition in 1933 was a highly celebrated reversal of fortune for many in the United States. Here we have another, the Reversal of Fortune puzzle box by our friend Jeffrey Aurand, a collector and hobbyist woodworker who hails from upstate New York
Parameter Motion
Kel’s philosophy has always been to reuse, renew and recycle for the benefit of our planet, and much of his work reflects that philosophy.
Blocks Away
“Blocks Away” was designed and created by Ron Locke, a friend to the puzzle box world who is no longer with us. Ron’s boxes are fanciful affairs full of mystery, legend and romance.
Ferris Box
Moving along the bottom row of the Apothecary Chest (introduced in Part I) we come next to one of the more distinct and recognizable “drawers” in the chest, Peter Wiltshire’s “Ferris Box”.
Dad’s Two Cents
The box which holds the garnet is called “Dad’s Two Cents” and contains its own secret, with a rather unique feature not seen on any other puzzle box that I have encountered.
Topless Box
Getting down to puzzling business is hard work, at times – North Carolina puzzlesmith Eric Fuller might even suggest you take your shirt off. At least, his Topless Box would suggest it.
Sweet Tooth Tiger
The Japanese zodiac is divided into a twelve year cycle, with repeating blocks of years represented by a different animal. It is said that you pick up a few characteristics from the animal year you were born during.
Butterfly Box (Pleasure and Pain)
Now for something pleasant. And painful. From the international man of mystery and mayhem, the Dutch devil of devious delights – that’s right, Wil Strijbos, the brilliant puzzle designer from the Netherlands – comes more mischievous merriment.
Secret Book Box
This year I present the stunning “Secret Book Box” from the Karakuri Creation Group artist Hideaki Kawashima.
Diamond Box
It’s always a treat to discuss one of Kagen Sound’s fine boxes. He has made a reputation for himself as one of the world’s foremost puzzle box makers. The description doesn’t quite do justice to his work.