One of my favorite memories growing up is doing puzzles with my family and luckily I married a man who also loves to a good puzzle challenge! When hubby and I first started dating we went to a renaissance craft fair that had a blacksmith and we were both in awe of the skill and craftsmanship that was before us. Imagine my excitement when I found that our love for puzzles and iron were united in the form of the Tucker-Jones House Inc. Tavern Puzzle® Collection! When I found these puzzles I knew that they would be a wonderful gift for the hubby for Father’s Day…which was a huge success!!
Tucker -Jones House Inc.
This family business owned by Dennis and Donna Sucilsky has been around since the early 1980’s providing puzzle fans challenging entertainment throughout the years. All of Tavern Puzzles are made in their shop in Setauket, New York where they strive to produce high quality handcrafted wrought iron disentanglement puzzles.
Tavern Puzzles evolved from reproductions of hand-forged artifacts that owner Dennis Sucilsky came across while researching architectural hardware. As a blacksmith, Dennis was able to use his knowledge of iron-working and tool making for production of metal puzzles.
Tavern Puzzle Collection
They have an amazing collection of puzzles available for purchase either separately or in sets. Their collection is based on techniques made by blacksmiths in earlier centuries. Why are they called Tavern Puzzles? Good question! They called them Tavern Puzzles because in past times these wrought iron puzzles would be found in country inns and taverns all throughout America for entertainment for travelers.
How do wrought iron puzzles work?
Each and every puzzle is fully mechanical by nature, there are no tricks to solve the puzzle. The puzzle is solved when the object piece is removed and is free from the puzzle, such as a heart, ring etc.. Really every puzzle has at least 2 puzzles because once you free the object you have to put it back together again!
The Tavern Puzzle Collection is divided into eight groups. Group 1 is the simplest. The groups become progressively more difficult, ending with the most complex, Group 8.
The puzzles come with a nice burlap sack to hold the puzzle and literature about the puzzle such as where it originated from, year it was introduced, how to display and care for your puzzle when not in use etc. All Tavern Puzzles® are made from 6mm steel; some include wooden beads. Dimensions: 8” – 14” long, 4” – 6” wide. Weight: 12 – 20 ounces. Puzzles are great for keeping your mind sharp and exercised. They make a great addition to your home for fun times with family and friends for a wonderful American tradition.
5 things I love about Tavern Puzzles
- 100% Handcrafted in the USA
- nostalgic – so fun to think about ancestors that might have been entertained with these kind of puzzles
- The purpose of any puzzle is to provide a challenge, entertainment, and fun and Tavern Puzzles do all three!
- you can purchase individual puzzles or boxed sets which is nice for everyones’ budget
- quality, value, and service since Tucker Jones House Inc., is only one to design, make and sell Tavern Puzzles
- they give you online access/help with the solution to their more difficult puzzles…we needed help with the “Doozie” (see picture below)
This puzzle really was a "Doozie". This one took some time to complete but was totally worth it! 🙂
For more information and to purchase Tavern Puzzles
Please visit Tavern Puzzle’s website to view their entire collection of puzzles, current specials, purchase a puzzle or two… or buy a gift certificate! You can now also find them on Facebook!
To win a Tavern Puzzle (Closed)
Updated: 8-15-11 Winner Announced: Congratulations, Heather!
The folks at Tavern Puzzle have graciously offered one lucky reader ONE Tavern Puzzle of their choice! ($22 value) Winner must have U.S. mailing address.
Important Links to enter this contest:
AkronOhioMoms.com on Facebook, AkronOhioMoms.com on Twitter | AkronOhioMoms.com Google Friend Connect | Tavern Puzzle® Collection website | Tavern Puzzle® Collection on Facebook
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. In order to comply with the latest Facebook Promotion Guidelines (revised 5/11/11), the following statements are true:* Giveaway participants release Facebook from any responsibility whatsoever.
* Giveaways on this blog are in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook.
* Giveaway participants are providing information to this blog and giveaway sponsors only; not to Facebook.
30 Day Rule does apply, so if you win this, you are still eligible to win again this month, so go ahead and enter! For complete contest rules, please see our Contest Statement and Blog Disclosure.
Contest ends at 11:59pm EST on August 14, 2011 when a winner will be drawn at random. I will notify the winners and they will have 36 hours to respond!
This was not a paid post. My own opinions were used based on my perceptions and experience. Thank you to Tucker-Jones House Inc. Tavern Puzzle Collection who provided the products for review and giveaway.
