It’s A Puzzle

A few days ago, I was searching the internet trying (unsuccessfully) to identify butterflies I had seen at Wild-Connections Butterfly Farm. I came across this magnificent picture of a handmade jigsaw puzzle with a brilliant blue butterfly. When I discovered that it was made in Texas, I had to follow down all the links to “meet” the puzzle maker.

Butterfly jigsaw puzzle handmade in Texas

I found the home website, called Double Trouble Jigsaw Puzzles, and wrote to Katie to ask for more information. She lives in the Deer Park area, near Houston and was kind enough to give me some information about herself. Quite frankly, I was curious about how anyone up and decided to make jigsaw puzzles. Here is what she said:

“My family always knew me for wanting to make money; I’d be outside selling lemonade, snow cones, or trying to do chores.

Browsing through unique gifts for my mother’s birthday, I came upon a little custom puzzle and immediately fell in love with the idea and bought it. It wasn’t the well-known mass-produced cardboard puzzle; it was a hand-cut, wooden jigsaw puzzle. I received it within two weeks and had to hold back giving it to mom early. Together, we solved the difficult puzzle and framed it. I was later told that I could make puzzles like that.

Custom jigsaw puzzle

To make a long story shorter, I saved some money and went to Home Depot and bought a small scroll saw. I taught myself how to cut the intricate puzzles, and have now moved up to a professional saw. When I tell friends and family that I hand craft wooden jigsaw puzzles they are intrigued. I usually get a weird look and they ask again. I have to thoroughly explain the process and I usually end up showing them my video of cutting jigsaw pieces. Most are still confused about wooden puzzles so they just say, “Cool!”

I literally hand cut each individual puzzle piece on a quarter inch wood. There are many different cutting styles to use, and the pieces can be cut to the size of a dime or to very large children’s pieces a few inches wide. Larger pieces can be great for children, weddings, family reunions, and graduations because the guests can sign the back of the pieces for a unique guest book. The more intricate, meticulously cut tiny pieces are great for a challenge.

Ballerina Figural for custom jigsaw puzzle

Customers can also choose to have “figurals” placed in their puzzle. “Figurals” are custom puzzle pieces that are personalized in your choice of words, names, years, shapes, silhouettes, etc. There are many ideas possible in a custom puzzle. The more creativity, the more unique the puzzle!”

I looked at Katie’s Etsy shop and saw that she had a 5 x 7 custom jigsaw puzzle, using a picture that you supply, starting at $24 (they have about 50-60 small pieces in them). If you have ever held a wooden jigsaw puzzle in your hand, and if you like jigsaw puzzles, you know this is a decent price!

I definitely need to get a handmade jigsaw puzzle. When I have puzzles I really like, I keep them forever, and these look like puzzles to treasure. Is she paying me to say nice things? Heck no! This is not a pay per post. I’m just tickled pink to feature an artist from the Lone Star State, and I thought it might interest you! Keep her work in mind the next time you are looking for a gift that is one-of-a-kind.

Related posts:

1. Old Jigsaw Puzzlers Never Die…They Just Go To Pieces
2. Time’s A-Wastin’
3. Life Balance, Part Two: It’s A Jigsaw Puzzle
4. The Potter’s Hands
5. Am I Having More Fun Yet?

Tagged as: Artsy Fartsy Stuff, handmade puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Talkin' 'bout Texas, Texas artist