Additional information about Making Puzzle Boxes - here!
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 an art form,  Randal finally established his Quagmire Puzzle Boxes™   brand in 2002.		Randal Gatewood  (Randal G.) Puzzle box inventor and artisan.

When Randal first conceived Quagmire Puzzle Boxes and before the advent of 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  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 that image into something that seems to work.... that's the beginning of a concept. It's kind of a... meditation manifestation. 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 often create better at the work bench with the wood in hand than I do with pencil and paper. This whole process is most rewarding. In summary, my hands are the tools in 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 has expressed that his goal is simply to create totally original puzzle box designs that have a real artistic appeal; that are just as esthetically enjoyable as they are enjoyable for the challenge they present. He builds each box with the expectation that it will last for many years to come.  It is with the quality and care of workmanship that these beautify artistic boxes are considered heirlooms that can be handed down for generations.       After completing his first Quagmire Puzzle Box design - The "Double Crossed ", the first batch sold in just a matter of days,  with  purchases by collectors from all around the world.....   USA, UK,  Netherlands, Taiwan, Germany, Canada, Italy, Australia and Japan. And this was just for the first batch of 20 boxes.  Below are a few of the customer comments that Randal has received. Since his first puzzle box invention, Randal has created many other great designs that you can see on this site. (This article revised 08/08)

Some customer comments received about Randal's first puzzle box design, the Double Crossed:

	"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.