Jigsaw Puzzles

Are you one of those people who thinks that puzzles are for the really old or really young? While that may have been true a few years ago, puzzle makers have now started creating 3D replicas of everything from working antique clocks to the Empire State Building. As a result, a whole new puzzle-working audience is being born. For those of you who still like your puzzles fl at, you can send in a picture of you and your date, or perhaps of your date's beloved dog or cat, and there's a company that will send it back to you in the form of a jigsaw puzzle.

Working on a puzzle is one of those "make something together" dates that this guide places such a high value on. After all, making things together is one of the most important aspects of a relationship. In fact, when a couple stops making things together, you can start to wonder about how much longer they'll be together. Another important part of a relationship is where you help each other to work on the things that you find puzzling about life. So this is one of those dates that's crammed full of symbolism. And if it's the end of the evening and you're really on a roll, perhaps the pieces on the table won't be the only things that you and your date will be putting together.

TYPES OF JIGSAW PUZZLES

The newer puzzles can be a real challenge, so you will need to pick a puzzle that will suit the spacial and fine-motor dexterity of you and your date. In other words, if you fl unked mechanical drawing in high school, consider starting off with an old-fashioned 2D puzzle that has really big pieces. But if you are a whiz at life's fine motor challenges and want a project that will span over a number of dates, choose a 3D humdinger. Much of your first date will be spent just separating the pieces and trying to understand how to even start.

HOW LONG

If your puzzle is simple with not too many pieces, you may be able to complete it in a few hours. But if your puzzle has thousands of pieces and is pretty complex, getting the thing together could account for month's worth of evenings together.

COST

Perhaps someone has a puzzle you can borrow, although make sure they're the obsessive kind who would have a coronary if they ever lost a single puzzle piece. You don't want Whistler's Mother to be missing a vital organ after you get her together. Prices for new puzzles range from a few dollars up to several hundred, with most being less than $20. The 3D puzzles are more expensive. You'll also want to have food and drink available, so budget for that, but try to avoid finger foods that are sticky or greasy.

WHERE TO FIND PUZZLES

Toy and hobby stores usually sell puzzles. You can also find them at fl ea markets and garage sales, but keep in mind just how annoyed you will be if you've worked your cranium into a frazzle getting the puzzle together and discover there are two or three missing pieces.

ONLINE

You've got to see this! 3D puzzles of clocks that really work. The National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors sells them at www.nawcc.org/giftshop/americart/puzzles.htm.

For the site of the world's premier maker of 3D puzzles, visit www.wrebbit.com. Two days before September 11, we ordered the 3141-piece 3D puzzle of the New York skyline. It's going to be a little sad putting it together, given what's missing now that wasn't then. To help us hone our skills, we've ordered the 421-piece Medieval Puzzle Clock that actually works once you put it together.

Other sites to try for 2D and 3D puzzles are www.areyougame.com and www.americanpuzzles.com. You can phone American Puzzles at (513)794-9301.

To have a puzzle made from your own photo, or for iron-on puzzle kits using your computer and an ink jet printer, Joslin Photo Puzzle Company is the way to go. Phone them at (215)357-8346 or order direct from their website at www.jigsawpuzzle.com.

HOW TO STORE YOUR WORK-IN-PROGRESS

"Roll-O-Puzz" may sound like a derogatory name that one puzzle maker calls another, but actually it's a special mat that people can put their puzzles on. When they aren't working on the puzzle, they simply roll it up and store it away or even transport it to a different location. This makes it possible for you to work on the puzzle at your house one night and at your date's house the next. It's also helpful if you're doing a puzzle at night after the kids are asleep and you want it to have a chance of surviving the next day. "Roll- O-Puzz" costs between $13.00 and $25.00 depending on the size of your puzzle. Plus, you can use it again and again. One place to order it is www.jigsawjungle.com.

MAKING YOUR FINISHED PUZZLE PERMANENT

If you've spent a lot of time on a puzzle and want to preserve it, you can always mount it, although this may not be as much fun as mounting each other.

HISTORY OF THE JIGSAW PUZZLE

Sometime around 1700, a very astute engraver and mapmaker pasted a map on a piece of wood and cut it into small pieces. This became the first jigsaw puzzle for children. It wasn't until 1900 that puzzles for adults were produced. The early puzzles were expensive, as they had to be cut by hand. They had no pictures on the outside of the box, so you didn't know what you were piecing together until it was actually done. Puzzle sales reached all-time highs during the Great Depression of 1929. It was around this time that the diecut cardboard puzzle was perfected, and prices fell substantially.

After World War II, puzzles became less popular, but thanks to today's innovative puzzle designs, their popularity has risen again.

DID YOU KNOW THAT

Crossword puzzles were used in World War II for espionage? The puzzles contained coded messages that were given to spies and to those in the underground.