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ORDERING
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PUZZLE BOX
INFORMATION
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Additional information about Making Puzzle Boxes - here! |
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Randal
Gatewood (pictured right) received his first
puzzle box over 30 years ago when a friend gave
him an old Japanese puzzle box (pictured below)
which he still proudly displays. Over the years,
his desire to try his hand at puzzle box
designing was ever increasing. With a couple
decades of woodworking experience and a great
fascination for puzzle boxes as a craft,
in 2002 Randal finally established
Quagmire Puzzle Boxes™ .
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Randal Gatewood (Randal G.)
Puzzle box inventor
and artisan.
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When Randal first conceived Quagmire
Puzzle Boxes and before he built this
website, he did not have any way to
market his art work. He knew that if he
was going be taken seriously, he
would need to come out with something
that had a real "wow" factor. So he got to
work on his first design. Even with all of his
years of experience as a wood worker, he learned
quickly just how complicated a task he
had set for himself. Months later he had
finally completed a prototype that he
could proudly present - to someone.
That someone turned out to be Cleverwood.com.
Excerpt from Cleverwood.com...
When Randal first contacted us (Cleverwood) on October 19, 2003 asking us to look at his puzzle box, we were skeptical. We hear from people fairly frequently who claim to be able to produce original puzzle boxes. It usually turns out that they have an idea, or a plan, but do not have the ability to actually build the box. On top of that, their idea is usually not a new idea. But Randal said he had a finished prototype of his puzzle box. We asked that he send it to us. We were shocked when it arrived. Randal’s Double Crossed Puzzle Box is magnificent - the work of a perfectionist and a talented woodworker, yes indeed.
"Most of my skills are self taught and
perfected through persistence and trial
and error. I was brought up to believe
that a job worth doing is worth doing
right. Having taken this to heart early
in my life and that being my premise in
any project I engage in, I tend to be a
perfectionist. I truly strive to do the
absolute best I can or I really don’t
want to do it. Even if I do the best I
can and don’t like the results, I will
research it and do it over until it is
right. Basically, if I’m not happy with
it, then I can’t justify that anyone else
will be happy with it. The absolute most
enjoyable thing for me is the creative
process. The process of mind to
manifestation is the ultimate challenge."
- Randal Gatewood
Though Randal has been a serious wood worker for well over 20 years, he did not get involved in the puzzle world
(publicly) until early 2003, but his
craftsmanship is certainly the reflection
of a skilled artisan. He admits that
prior to building his first puzzle box
that he hadn't any knowledge about the history of puzzle boxes or the work of other puzzle box designers and makers. This is a good thing. His designs are totally original - he has not been influenced by anyone. We asked him what encouraged him to build puzzle boxes, Randal said~
"My first puzzle box was given to me by a friend many years ago. I had never seen one before
like that and it really intrigued me. For
many years thereafter, I looked for more
puzzle boxes. I had seen some small "trick" boxes that folks were calling puzzle boxes, though I thought they were neat - I was really looking for more complex and challenging puzzle boxes. So I knew puzzle boxes existed, I just didn't have any historical knowledge of them. The lack of finding complex puzzle boxes only intrigued me more to want to try my skills at building them. It also helped spark my imagination for my own 'vision' of what I thought a puzzle box should be. I suppose you could say that I've been designing puzzle boxes in my imagination for quite a few years. I still have sketches of ideas that I dreamed up of well over 10 years ago. My Double Crossed box design is based on one of those ideas. Now it seems as though I can't work fast enough to prototype new designs!" - Randal Gatewood
As you can see, his own "vision" results in designs that are totally original! What you can see in Randal's designs is a three dimensional depth of detail that really makes his puzzle boxes unique. When asked about how he goes about the design process, Randal said~
“I suppose that it starts with a single image in my mind. I kind of draw it out on the 'black board' in my head and if I can manipulate the parts of the image into something that seems to work.... it's the beginning of a concept. In building the “Double Crossed” puzzle box, I found the entire creation to be a combination of artistic gesture with mechanical ingenuity. To me, a craft is a personal expression of its creator. In working with wood, I let the wood dictate many aspects of the design. The colors, grain, density, and cut orientation all play a role in the creative process. It is a matter of finding the right balance with all of the elements. I create better at the work bench with the wood in hand than I do with pencil and paper. This whole process is most rewarding for me. In summary, my hands are the tools of my imagination which fashion the wood into the vehicle that produces the final expression of my imagination. If that expression is a true representation of my imagination, then I am most satisfied. My hope is that others will see that expression and find enjoyment in it as well.” - Randal Gatewood
(end excerpt)
Randal says,
"...my goal is simply to design and build
totally original puzzle boxes that have a
real artistic appeal so that they are
just as fun to look at as they are to play
with. It is my hope that my puzzle boxes
will be picked up, examined, played
with and displayed for years to come.
If my creations bring enjoyment to
someone, then I have certainly achieved
my goal."
After completing his first Quagmire Puzzle Box design -
The
"Double Crossed "
and the first batch sold in just a matter
of days, Randal
says," It pleases me greatly to read the
responses that I have gotten on this box. It is very humbling and appreciated.
To those who wrote in, please
accept my sincerest gratitude for the
kind words." Randal's
"Double Crossed" puzzle box has been
purchased by collectors from all around
the world..... USA, UK,
Netherlands, Taiwan, Germany, Canada,
Australia and Japan. And this was from
the first batch of 20 boxes that he
ever built." Below are
a few of the customer comments that Randal has received.
Since his first puzzle box invention, Randal
has created many other other designs that you can
see on this site.
This article by:
Diane Walker (Revised 08/08)
UPDATES from Randal G. :
08/22/08
In the year 2007, I did not get to make
any new designs due to some health
complications. But I'm now back in full
swing, have built a new shop and am eager
as ever to get to some new designs. I
literally have a list of new puzzle box
concepts drawn up. Currently I am completing a batch
of the Box Joint Boxes. I have had a lot of requests
for the Keepers Key Safe and have decided to make a
batch of these using a different type of wood. For
those that have expressed your kind concerns and for all of you who have been waiting patiently for my
works of art, I express my deepest gratitude and
thanks.
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Some customer comments received about Randal's
first puzzle box design, the Double Crossed: |
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"We received Randal's
double crossed puzzle box today. Although we
have not been collecting long, we have
several boxes. This is by far the highest
quality box we have. The workmanship is
outstanding and the box is incredible. We
also appreciate the gift that you enclosed
inside the box. We would definitely like to
be on the list for any other Gatewood box
and any other box of the same quality.
Thanks for your quality service and
responses."
"The Double Crossed Box
arrived safely this morning and I am
delighted with it, thank you very much.
Please put me down for Randal's next
Creation. I hope it will have fewer moves. I
spent some time playing with the box. I
doubt it if I could have solved it without
instructions. Even then I only managed to
open it after several attempts. Thanks for
the gift! The craftsmanship is first class.
I wonder how many people will open the box
without help. Thanks again, Great."
"This box is really
great. It is beautifully made but what
amazes me most is the superb mechanism that
cannot be compared to anything I have seen
before. It truly needs a lot of "gripping
fingers" at the same time to open but when
you get the idea what is needed, it can be
done. But I will be honest; I needed the
instructions! I hope Randal will continue
developing boxes like this one! Seriously;
please tell him I really enjoy the box and
that he did a great job!"
"I am a puzzle collector in
Australia and recently purchased your Box of
ZN, Double-Crossed box & Aztec jigsaw from
Cleverwood (blew the budget a bit!). Just
wanted to let you know that all three of
these are fantastic, and already a great
source of pleasure. These items are
beautifully crafted and a great credit to
you - I am honored to have them in my
collection. Consequently I have pre-ordered
Keepers Key Safe & Ultimate Box, and look
forward to the next laser engraved jigsaw
installment (not sure how I am going to pay
for it all yet....) Anyway, be assured that
your talents are greatly appreciated across
the globe." Many thanks.
See
our Limited Edition Wooden Puzzle boxes here
See
more great Puzzle boxes & Trick
boxes here
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Addition information:
For most
folks, if you ask them if they know what a
puzzle box is, you will find they just
really don't have any idea! If more people
had a basic concept of what is involved in
the process of designing and building puzzle
boxes, it is certain that more people would
become enthusiast and collectors. There are
truly just a handful of craftsmen in the
world that have taken on this craft.
To read a little about the art custom
handmade puzzle boxes, please see:
The Puzzle Box Craft Page.
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