I mentioned to my husband recently that I used to like doing jigsaws, thought I haven’t done any in years. He decided it would be fun to do a really tough one together, so he bought me a beautiful 5000-piece puzzle of the Creation of Adam from the Sistine Chapel. By kind of a weird coincidence, my mom brought out some puzzles when we were all visiting for the holidays, and we all had a blast putting one together (it was a weird coincidence because I’ve never known her to do a puzzle ever, and we’ve never done one as a family pasttime before).
Anyway, I am thinking that I want to “warm up” to the 5000-piecer with some easier, smaller ones, and I’m wondering if anyone can give me some advice about what brands & types they like the best.
The one we did at my parents was a Springbok Coca-Cola one, where a lot of different memorabilia are pictured. I found that one interesting because of all the various elements of the picture. Any advice on what types of pictures are the most fun/rewarding? I like the puzzle to be challenging, but not ridiculously so (I’m a little worried about the Creation of Adam…there’s a lot of white space!), and I like a little visual interest (a pile of jelly beans seems challenging, but a bit boring). Also, where do you buy puzzles? Is online the best way to go? Or can you find them these days at stores other than hobby shops?
Good question Sarahfeena, over the holidays we just did a 750 piece puzzle that was fun but the puzzle itself was badly cut and with a lot of dust debris from the cutting process. I would like to find out what the better quality brands are.
We bought the 750 piece one at a mall toy store. It had a very interesting and tough picture and seemed like a good starter. I used to do jigsaw puzzles with my family when I wasa kid.
It is a vacation tradition to have a jigsaw puzzle going in the living room of the beach house we rent. A 5,000 piece puzzle is huge and challenging – we’ve found 2,000 pieces to be more than a group of 8-10 people (a couple of whom are working on it actively, and a couple of whom not at all, with most putting in 10 or 15 minutes here or there) can complete in a week unless the picture is really diverse. We do better completing two to four smaller (750-1000 piece) puzzles during that week – it’s more satisfying.
Where to get good ones – I usually stop by the local Hallmark store and pick up whatever picture strikes my fancy. I forget the name of the brand they carry, but they’re usually attractive visuals, a good size, and good quality (cuts that fit, etc.).
Thanks for the link! Ravensburger is the brand of puzzle that my husband bought me…I do think they have beautiful visuals (I’m kind of partial to the fine art prints).
The one we did at my parents’ house was 2000 pieces, and I agree that it’s a good size. The 5000 is going to be nutty. The only place we have to do it is the dining room table, so I think we won’t be having any dinner parties for a while!
Springbok is the one they have…I will try my local Hallmark!
I like Springbok puzzles. I prefer 1000 or 1500 piece ones. I like montages, if that’s the right word - like a collection of Coke items.
I don’t like nature scenes or fantasy stuff (although years ago I found a few good “realistic” dragon puzzles.) I did a puzzle once of an impressionist piece of art and I’ll never do that again.
Right now we have the Springbok “The Muppet Party” to do and a Peanuts photomosaic, which looks difficult.
I can say from experience that the photomosaic ones are more difficult than their number of pieces would indicate. It’s just very difficult to match up pieces because they ALL have little tiny boxed lines.
I used to love the mystery puzzles (sorry, can’t remember the brand name). There would be a little mystery story included in the box, then you’d put the puzzle together and the picture would provide you with enough clues to solve the mystery. I liked them not only because of the extra puzzle when you are done, but because you never knew what the picture was going to be until it was together.
I pick jigsaw puzzles based on the picture, not the maker of the puzzle.
However, I have done a 5,000 piece from Ravensburger, and the quality was excellent. It was this one; plenty of detail, and I’ve seen the original and thought it was very interesting. It took me a month, and that was while I was waiting for my furniture to be delivered to my new apartment and had nothing else to do.
Is this the one you’re starting? The framing along the vertical edges might not be too bad, but the flesh tones and all that pale blue are going to be tough.
Someday, someday, if I have plenty of time (and space) on my hands, I’d like to do this. Once.
Oh, I agree the picture is the most important part…I was just wondering if anyone had a particular one they liked, or if they had run into any issues with any particular manufacturer (like What Exit? had with the paper residue).
Yes, that’s the one! I agree that parts of it look tough…and truth be told, I prefer the one you did. For one thing, it’s much more visually interesting to me, and I do think it’s easier when there are so many small elements to the picture. Since my husband & I are doing it together, though, I’m willing to give it a try!
