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. 

How? does one describe the results of a seasoned puzzler teaming up with an expert craftsman to produce a new puzzle box?  Exactly.  The How? Box is a collaborative effort hatched in the deviously puzzling mind of Englishman Peter Hajek.

This perfectly Patrick’s Day worthy puzzle box is one of Japanese master craftsman Tatsuo Miyamoto’s most famous works.  His “A Chance Encounter” is truly elegant.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.