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The Joy of Jigsaw Puzzles…

…a centuries old pastime that has been enjoyed by people of all ages.

Jigsaw Puzzle Sample Pieces

Jigsaw puzzles are a centuries old pastime that has been enjoyed by people of all ages. Today, there are many different types and sizes of jigsaw puzzles available, making them more accessible than ever before. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing activity to do on your own or a fun way to spend time with family and friends, jigsaw puzzles are a great option.

The allure of jigsaw puzzles

There is something special about the challenge of piecing together a puzzle, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with completing one. For some people, jigsaw puzzles are simply a fun way to pass the time. For others, they are a serious hobby, and there are even competitive tournaments held each year. Whether you enjoy solving puzzles on your own or with friends and family, there is no doubt that jigsaw puzzles can be quite addicting!

The history of the jigsaw puzzle

Jigsaw Puzzles date back to the 1700’s, when woodworkers would make intricate and detailed wooden puzzles to sell as decorative items. In 1767, a London craftsman named John Spilsbury produced the first printed jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle was made of steel and featured a map of England. The jigsaw puzzle was very popular in England for many years, and soon the idea spread throughout Europe. The first jigsaw puzzles made in America were produced in 1848 by Samson Fox, a New York wood engraver.

How to get started with a jigsaw puzzle

Jigsaw puzzles are easy to use. The trick is to find a puzzle that has enough pieces to be challenging, but not so many that it becomes frustrating. If you have never done a jigsaw puzzle before, start with one that has about 500 pieces or fewer. As you complete one puzzle, get a larger and more challenging one. The best jigsaw puzzles are the ones that are used to create a picture of a scene or an object. These are fun because they often have a story behind them.

Many puzzles are based on photographs, paintings or artwork. The most challenging puzzles have no picture and instead just have a series of shapes, letters or numbers to create a pattern. Choose the one that suits your skill level and that you find interesting.

The benefits of working a jigsaw puzzle

Working a jigsaw puzzle is an excellent way to stretch your mind, and improve your mental stamina. It also helps you physically because it improves your fine motor skills, which are the smaller movements of your hands and fingers. The best jigsaw puzzles are the ones that contain more than one image. These types of puzzles can sometimes be used as educational tools for young children.

There are many ways to solve a jigsaw puzzle

Matchbox Label Collage 200 by Dorothy Berry-Lound
Starting at a corner…

There are many approaches to solving a jigsaw. Some people like to start by finding the four corners, some like to find all the pieces with a flat edge, meaning they are the edge pieces, and build the perimeter and work inwards. Other solvers find similar colors of a certain feature – and sort of start from the center out. Take your time. Don’t rush the puzzle, and only work on it in short spurts. If you try to solve a jigsaw puzzle too quickly, you may make mistakes. Give yourself plenty of time to get all of the pieces in place. Be patient.

Here’s a little more about Solving a Jigsaw Puzzle.

The different types of jigsaw puzzles

There are many different types of jigsaw puzzles, ranging from the very easy, to the very difficult. The most common type is the 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle which is usually made for beginners who are just starting out with jigsaw puzzles. 1000-piece puzzles are usually made of heavy, coated cardboard and contain nice, detailed pictures. They can take anywhere from an hour to many, many hours to complete. If you want something a little more challenging, there are 1500-2000-piece jigsaw puzzles that can prove to be a real challenge.

Conclusion: the satisfaction of completing a jigsaw puzzle

The satisfaction of completing a jigsaw puzzle is just as rewarding as solving one of the most difficult logic and reasoning puzzles. The puzzle itself can be a great conversation piece in any room, and it can spark an interest in jigsaw puzzles, which once you get started with them, you may never want to stop. If you’re looking for a new hobby, or something to do with the family, try a jigsaw puzzle. It just may be a surprisingly enjoyable experience.

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The Centurion as a Jigsaw Puzzle

By Contributing Artist Hans Zimmer

A Centurion was a professional officer of the Roman army after the Marian reforms of 107 BC. Most centurions commanded 80 men but senior centurions commanded cohorts or took senior staff roles in their legion. Centurions were also found in the Roman navy. They were responsible for the men and equipment and gave orders to the rows of oarsmen, however, the ranks within the “centuria” were not always strictly adhered to and a considerable degree of informal promotion and demotion between the various grades occurred.

The roman Centurion (officer) had an wooden ark (crista) with natural or colored horse hair on top of his helmet (pointing from ear to ear). An Optio (a lower rank) had it pointing from forehead to neck.

The Centurian Artwork by Hans Zimmer
The Centurian Art Photograph by Hans Zimmer

The Helmet “Galea” on display is an Imperial Gallic “G” after a find from the river Rhine In the vicinity of a German town called “Mainz-Weisenau”. It’s now on display in a Museum in the town Worms. The type of helmet was in service from from the 1st Century BC to the 2nd century AD. This style of helmet was worn by Roman Legionaries during Julius Caesar’s invasion of Britain.

The Dagger shown above was called “Pugio” and it´s most likely that daggers of this (or similar) type were used in the bloody assassination of Julius Caesar on the steps of the senate of Rome.

the centurian jigsaw puzzle by hans zimmer
The Centurian Jigsaw Puzzle by Hans Zimmer

A jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that requires the assembly of often oddly shaped interlocking and tessellating pieces. Jigsaw puzzles were originally created by John Spilsbury, a British cartographer, in 1767. The first jigsaw puzzle was a map of the world that was cut into small pieces so that it could be learned easily by children.

Jigsaw puzzles have come a long way since then and there are now many different types and sizes of jigsaw puzzles available. Jigsaw puzzles can range from very simple designs with just a few pieces to very complex designs with thousands of pieces.

The Centurion as a Jigsaw Puzzle is one of the more challenging “traditional” puzzles made today. There are either 500 or 1000 pieces in the puzzle, depending on the size you choose, and each piece is different.

Link to: The Centurion Jigsaw Puzzle

Link to: Hans Zimmer’s Gallery at Fine Art America.

hans zimmer contributing artist

Click to learn more about the artist: Hans Zimmer.

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Beautiful Heart-Shaped Jigsaw Puzzles

By Contributing Artist Dorothy Berry-Lound

Resurgence Jigsaw Puzzle
Resurgence Jigsaw Puzzle

Show how much you care by gifting a unique heart-shaped jigsaw puzzle. The perfect gift idea for any occasion including Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

Candlelight Dancing Jigsaw Puzzle
Candlelight Dancing Jigsaw Puzzle

These cute puzzles are small (7.5 inches) but have 75 pieces which will take some time to put together given the complexity of the abstract design. Each puzzle is a statement of affection, a piece of art and a game. Plus, when it is finished the receiver can frame the puzzle for the wall.

Hand printed to order, taking 1-3 days on average, each puzzle is made from sturdy cardboard and comes in a pretty storage pouch of your choice. You can select a pouch with a ‘gorgeous’ theme, ‘Valentine’s Day’ or ‘Mother’s Day’.

Summer Paradise Jigsaw Puzzle
Summer Paradise Jigsaw Puzzle

Shipping Details

Based in the UK, the store delivers worldwide. There are a variety of options for delivery in the UK using Royal Mail standard, recorded or special delivery. For international orders items are shipped via DHL or Fedex (taking on average 2-5 days).

Where To Purchase Heart-Shaped Jigsaw Puzzles

There is a choice of six heart-shaped jigsaw puzzles featuring the gorgeous abstract designs of artist Dorothy Berry-Lound.

Buy them here: https://www.contrado.co.uk/stores/dorothy-berry-lound-art/products/169

Dorothy Berry-Lound Artist

Click to learn more about the artist: Dorothy Berry-Lound.

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Jigsaw Puzzle of Cheat Lake in the Fall

by Contributing Artist artist Steve Heap

Jigsaw puzzles are rightly treasured for their entertainment value but along side that, there is the real satisfaction of seeing a work of art develop in front of your eyes as the pieces are put in place. I often look at some of my images and think – that would make a really complex jigsaw puzzle! I guess what I am thinking about is that the image is attractive in its own right, but has a complexity of shades and colors that make it quite difficult to look at one piece and decide just where in the image it should fit.

You could say – what is not to love about this image?

heart shape jigsaw puzzle
Heart Shape Jigsaw Puzzle

Now I’m not sure just where you can find a jigsaw made in the shape of a heart, but I think it does illustrate what we love about the tradition!

The underlying image was one I took this past month after seeing the leaves in West Virginia develop into much brighter and more colorful shades that we normally expect. I had this image in mind when I drove, just before sunset, to a local lake close to my home. But what I needed, apart from the sun peeking through the clouds that were moving slowly across the sky, was some calm water in the lake in front of me. It is protected a little by the trail to the left, but there were still gusts of wind spoiling the reflection. So, I sat, and I sat, with the camera on a tripod in front of me, watching the sky and the clouds around the sun, feeling the wind gusts diminish as the evening advanced until eventually the calm water had spread sufficiently far to the right to get the image I wanted. Was it worth it? You bet!

Cheat Lake Jigsaw Puzzle
Perfect reflection of fall leaves in Cheat Lake Jigsaw Puzzle

I’ve got a feeling that this would be challenging as a jigsaw, but I am no expert. Blue sky and clouds not only at the top but the bottom of the picture. Complex orange, green, red leaves that cover the center. Some blurred, some not very crisp. A challenge indeed!

If you are up to a challenge, the puzzle is available as both 500 and 1000 pieces:

Cheat Lake Jigsaw Puzzle Box
Cheat Lake Jigsaw Puzzle Box

I’m sorely tempted to buy one for our daughter in law for Christmas – she loves jigsaws and this might be a nice reminder of home! And if you would like to read more about the fall colors around Morgantown in West Virginia this year, I wrote a short article about it, which can be found here: Fall Colors around Morgantown in 2022 – Backyard Image.

steve heap photographer


Click to learn more about the artist: Steve Heap.

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Autumn Scenes Make Challenging Jigsaw Puzzles.

Are you perhaps a dissectologist? Many people are and don’t know it.

Do you like working jigsaws or have you considered giving them as gifts? If you like working/solving jigsaws then you are considered to be a dissectologist, a person who enjoys jigsaw puzzle assembly.

With that definition in mind you may be a person who enjoys the most challenging puzzles. What do you think of Autumn Scenes with many leaves, limbs and different colors? Challenging enough for you?

leaf peeping in newton falls ohio jigsaw puzzle
Leaf Peeping in Newton Falls, OH – Jigsaw art by Bill Swartwout

The above photograph is challenging because of the expanse of sky with “popcorn” cumulus clouds. Those tufts of cotton balls are of various shapes, sizes and positions – yet the puzzle pieces will likely appear similar. How about those leaves in orange, res-orange- and yellow? Just imagine that combination on your new puzzle with either 500 or 1000 pieces.

The first example is more “just one tree” and not so much a landscape scene. Take a look at the image below, Autumn at Coursed Pond in Frederica, Delaware. This has been one of Bill Swartwout Photography’s most popular autumn scenes because it rivals the New England Fall Foliage that people seem to rave about.

autumn at coursey pond jigsaw puzzle
Autumn at Coursey Pond – Jigsaw Puzzle art by Bill Swartwout

This spectacular autumn scene with colorful foliage reflected in the peaceful waters of the pond. Note that the pond also picks up some of the colors of the sky and well as mimicking the trees and leaves. Can you see why this will also be a challenge for the dissectologist in you?

One nice thing about quality jigsaw puzzles is that they are reusable. Some people put them away and work them again. Other people pass them around among family and friends so one puzzle can provide entertainment for, literally, dozens of people.

These puzzles are made from premium 0.2″ thick stock and include a semi-gloss coating on the top surface that makes the image “pop” and keeps the pieces from warping. They are available in two sizes of either 500 or 1000 pieces and include a sturdy box with the puzzle artwork printed on the top. The box provides safe storage and is also easy to wrap as a gift.

autumn foliage in bar harbor maine jigsaw puzzle
Autumn Foliage in Bar Harbor – Jigsaw art by Bill Swartwout

Where to buy Jigsaw Puzzles by Bill Swartwout Photography

Link to Leaf Peeping: Click Here

Link to Coursey Pond: Click Here

Link to Foliage in Bar Harbor: Click Here

Link to ALL of Bill’s Puzzles: Click Here

Bill Swartwout Photography

Click to learn more about the artist: Bill Swartwout.