My Puzzle Blog Dec. 2009
My Puzzle BlogWelcome to my puzzle blog. Hear you can read about the latest puzzles I have made, new promotions, and more. I would love to hear what you think so please feel free to leave comments in the form field at the bottom of the page.
My Other Sites My Etsy Kids Blog Check me out on Facebook My Etsy Booth Follow me on Twitter My favorite handcrafted wooden puzzles and wooden toys Handcrafted wooden puzzles and toys All about me my company and my products
Dec. 20, 2009  about one of my favorite custom orders this month. At the end of November Keri contacted me regarding a special puzzle she wanted to make for her nephew. She wanted to make a painted tree tray puzzle and turn it into a family tree. The idea was that each puzzle piece would represent a member of her family on his maternal side. For example his great grandma piece would include a german flag, vegetables, ect. because she was a great German chef. She wanted a fun side that he could put together in a few years and the opposite side to be a keepsake and a way to remember his family and pass down stories. So I drew out a tree based loosely on my alphabet tree and added a border around the whole tree which would later become the tray for the tree. She wanted the puzzle to have nine pieces. We decided the trunk would represent her nephew and then I divided the bushy leaves of the tree into eight pieces that would represent the other family members. I then took my pattern transferred it to a piece of 3/4" poplar hardwood and cut it out. Then I took all the different color green paints that I had and blotted them onto both sides of the wood creating a leafy look. I painted the trunk and then applied the same process to the sides and the back of the tray. Finally I sprayed it with triple thick clear glaze. Then off it was shipped to Keri who hand painted the little pictures representing the family members Here's a picture of the finished puzzle. I think it turned out fabulous! Don't you think? |
Dec. 27,2009
A couple of weeks back a customer requested a tray puzzle with her
family name a bear, a moose, a deer, mountains and a log cabin. So I
drew up a sketch and we went back and forth tweaking it until we came
up with a design that she liked. After cutting it I suddenly remember
another puzzle maker had taken a tray puzzle and... sanded down the pieces
to different depths thus creating a 3D effect. I thought it was a cool
idea and thought that this puzzle would be the perfect project to try
this technique. So I tried it and it turned out awesome. I just had to
share it with you.