Puzzled - Handcrafted Wooden Jigsaw Puzzles & Toys

Being a former Preschool teacher of 16 years, I know what makes a good toy. This delightful collection of children's puzzles are designed to develop a child's mind and body. When children work with puzzles they develop their fine motor ability. They engage in critical thinking. They begin to pay attention to details. They learn about negative space and shapes. They learn pre-reading and math skills.

The puzzles are durably constructed. They are built to last. Each puzzle was cut from the highest quality poplar hardwood. Child safety is our utmost priority. All surfaces are sanded smooth and completely splinter free. Only non-toxic, lead-free, water-based paints, stains and finishes are used.

Want To See More? Click Here

Capture the precious moments of life with a photo puzzle. Reproduce your favorite photo into a quality jigsaw puzzle that's totally unique. They are perfect for Family Photos, School Pictures, Team Photos, Pet Pictures, Anniversary, Wedding Proposals, Corporate Events, Party Favors and more.

Puzzles can be made any size up to 8"x 10". They are made from your choice of 1/2" quality plywood or 3/4" MDF (Micro-density fiberboard). Customize your puzzle by deciding the difficulty level as well as the cutting style.

Puzzles can be reproduced from digital images or color prints. All original material will be carefully handled and returned to you with your order.

The price of the puzzle is determined by the amount of pieces you want for your puzzle. When ordering please enter the amount of puzzle pieces in the Quantity form field.

Once ordered you can send me the picture via email to photo@puzzled1.com or send the picture snail mail to Puzzled 990 Ashland Ave. #A, Simi Valley, CA 93065. Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery of the puzzle.

Interested in a Photo Puzzle of your own? Click Here!

Every wood-burned jigsaw puzzle is heirloom quality and designed to be passed on from generation to generation. It has been crafted by hand from quality, highly compressed, 5-ply Cherry Plywood. The picture has been permanently engraved into the wood using a wood burning tool. The wood burned picture was then beautifully illustrated by artist Jeannette Aragon and then finished with 3 coats of polyurethane. The puzzle is cut using your choice of either my signature swirl like cutting style or a traditional knob cutting style. You also have the option to choose the degree of difficulty by choosing small (30-40) pieces, medium (15-30) pieces, or large (10-15) pieces. Most puzzles measures 8" in diameter by 3/4" thick.

These delightful puzzles has often been used as a wall hangings to decorate a young child's room until the child is old enough to use the puzzle as a toy. If you are interested in doing this, I have designed a ribbon hanging system that preserves it as a puzzle so you can use it later as a toy. I can customize your puzzle with this feature for an additional $2.00.

As a special offer I will personalize this puzzle for you at no extra charge.

Want to see More? Click Here!

Each of these mosaic like puzzles have been skillfully crafted by hand from a solid piece of Poplar hardwood. Each piece has been hand rubbed on all sides with brightly colored non-toxic, water-based stains and sealed using Krylon's triple thick crystal clear glaze.

Each of these puzzles are nestled in a 1" deep tray with matching personalized lid. the name of your choice is spelled with stained wooden letters. (wooden letters stained with your choice of 1-3 colors) When ordering one of these puzzles please list name and letter color choices in the special instructions form field when checking out.

On the inside of the lid there is a picture that can be used as a guide or explore your creativity by creating your own picture with the shapes. Although this puzzle looks simple, looks can be deceiving. You will find this puzzle to be quite a challenge. Your only clue as to puzzle piece placement is the shape of the edges of each piece and of course the picture guide.

This makes a lovely gift for any puzzle enthusiast. It can also be easily used as decoration on a coffee table or as a conversation piece.

Due to the small piece size and the difficulty level of this puzzle it is not recommended for children under 5 years of age

Want to see more? Click Here

When children work on puzzles, they are actually "putting the pieces together" in more ways than one. Puzzles help children build the skills they need to read, write, solve problems, and coordinate their thoughts and actions-all of which they will use in school and beyond. Find a puzzle with a picture that has particular interest for your child, and you may help her begin to recognize colors and letters, and come to realize that the sum of parts make up a whole-a concept that will help her with math later on. By inserting pieces into the puzzle, children also develop the muscle group used for writing, or the "pincer" grasp.

Children can work on puzzles by themselves, without the help of adults or other children. They can also work together on large puzzles and practice compromising and getting along. Because each child must concentrate on the puzzle individually, he experiences a sense of satisfaction as he picks up a piece, rotates it, and discovers the spot in which it fits. Piece by piece, he begins to recognize the picture that the puzzle represents.

Good quality puzzles are a good investment because children can use them year after year. You may also look for puzzles at yard sales, thrift shops, and lending toy libraries. Children who are developing the ability to use scissors can cut pictures from magazines to create their own puzzles. Simply mount the pictures on cardboard and cut into large pieces. Homemade puzzles can make great gifts, too!

Make sure puzzles are suited for each child's age and abilities.

Two year olds, for example, will enjoy putting in pieces and taking them back out just as much as they will enjoy fitting them into the right spot. Toddlers enjoy three or four-piece wooden puzzles. As they grow and learn to rotate pieces to match holes and find pieces that fit, they can handle increasingly complex puzzles.

Three-year-olds still enjoy puzzles with single knobs on each piece, but they can also work on puzzles with five to eight pieces.

Four-year-olds will enjoy knobless puzzles with familiar scenes and characters. They can handle 12 to 18-piece puzzles.

Five-year-olds can handle large or small piece 18 to 35 pieces puzzles. They move from the pleasure of the activity to mastering the task.

As children reach school age, they will enjoy more complex puzzles of 50-100 pieces or more. All family members may gather around the table top to help children put the pieces together.

Puzzles should be well-made and appealing to the child. The younger the child, the more she will benefit from large, recognizable pieces to help her complete a picture. Good puzzles may show pictures of food, cars and trucks, animals, boys and girls, nursery rhymes, and scenes from story books. Young children better understand figures made of simple shapes like circles, triangles and squares.
Watch for missing pieces or damage to puzzles. Puzzles should offer a challenge to children, but they should also be solvable. Nothing is more frustrating to a child than trying to complete a puzzle with a missing piece.

Puzzles can provide formal learning experiences. Teachers may work closely with children to help them learn to solve problems through puzzles. Puzzles also help teachers observe children and assess their development. While children work alone or in groups, teachers can monitor the way they speak, move, and concentrate.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Copyright/Permission:
Copyright © 1997 National Association for the Education of Young Children. Reproduction of this material is freely granted, provided credit is given to the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Each puzzle has been skillfully cut using 1.5" thick stock, consist of 3-5 pieces and have been sanded down to a smooth splinter free finish. These puzzles are left unfinished so you and your child can enjoy painting it and makeing it their own. There are several different puzzles to choose from. Each kit includes a choice of one puzzle and a set of non toxic washable paint or washable markers.

Want To See More? Click Here!

This is a sampling of beautiful puzzles available in my Home Accents, Collectibles and Wooden Gifts collection. They have been carefully handcrafted by puzzle maker Jeannette Aragon. Each puzzle has been sculpted from the highest quality poplar hardwood, stained in rich wood tones and finished with triple thick crystal clear glaze. These magnificent puzzles are designed to accentuate any room. They make a brilliant addition to anyone's collection. Or for the person who has everything, they create an exceptionally unique gift.

Want To See The Whole Collection? Click Here!