A Doggone Puzzling Business

I’ve had some fun assignments over the years, but illustrating a jigsaw puzzle takes fun to a new level.

Especially when it’s a hand-cut wooden puzzle crafted by Dave Beffa-Negrini, owner of Fool’s Gold Puzzles.

Now at first glance you might be thinking: What’s so hard about that?? Just take out the pieces and put ’em back in again! Where’s the challenge?? Where’s the fun??

Well, here’s the thing: See that little “FIDO” piece? The idea is to take all the pieces out, and then put ’em all back inside the triangle– including the “FIDO” piece.

Ahhh… not so easy!

And I’ll tell you this: not only can it be done, but you can do it without flipping any pieces over (i.e., using the blank side) and without turning any of the pieces upside-down.

Up for a challenge? You can order the puzzle here.

Here’s a larger view of all the pieces.

Who dreams these things up?

Dave Beffa-Negrini has been making custom wooden jigsaw puzzles since 1997. Dave’s a state-juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen and a past president of the Association for Games & Puzzles International.

Here he is, hard at work, cutting a puzzle.

Say “jigsaw puzzle,” and most of us think of cardboard pieces in a box. Dave’s puzzles are made of 1/4″ basswood. The puzzles are hand-cut, and each piece is carefully hand-oiled, waxed and polished.

One cool feature of Dave’s puzzles: all the pieces lock together. Once assembled, you can hold up the puzzle
and it won’t fall apart.

You can send in your own photos or artwork and ask Dave to create an ultra-personal, truly unique, one-of-a-kind puzzle.

You can further personalize your Fool’s Gold puzzle by asking Dave to include specially shaped pieces— what he calls “Foolish Figurals”: a heart, frog, starfish, your name, a sailboat, etc. Whatever might have a special meaning for you.

Check out this 2-puzzle set commissioned as a wedding gift (click image for larger view).

In addition to creating all sorts of special occasion puzzles, Dave also creates puzzles for corporate clients. Here are some of his past creations (click image for larger view).

If you’re looking for a truly unique gift, get in touch with Dave. He’s fun, personable, a true craftsman, and very, very creative.

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about Dave. You might also enjoy these posts about his love of games and how he once put me on the cover of a magazine.

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About Mark: I’m an illustrator specializing in humor, branding, social media, and content marketing. My images are different, like your brand needs to be.

You can view my portfolio, and connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Questions? Send me an email.

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