An hour or two spent working on a jigsaw can be satisfying, especially if there’s a good radio programme to listen to at the same time. I sometimes work on a jigsaw between 4 and 5pm, while listening to The Panel on RNZ National. I could spend this time reading a book, but if I do I’m inclined to fall asleep. I never fall asleep over a jigsaw.
I bought a couple of 1,000 piece jigsaws in Ashburton recently. They were beautiful pictures, but proved too difficult for me, and I’ve passed them on to a friend with superior jigsaw skills. I can manage 1,000 pieces, but prefer to have busy designs that don’t include vast areas of sky or water, and landscape orientation rather than portrait.
Currently I’m working on a World of Art Van Gogh puzzle which has exactly the right degree of difficulty for me, and which I was glad to pick up for $4 at a local op shop. The sunflowers and the starry starry night are yet to be completed.
It’s years since I’ve paid full retail, price for a jigsaw and I hope I won’t need to. Yesterday I checked TradeMe and found someone in Christchurch had listed three puzzles I fancied, which had a reserve of $1. I put in a bid of $2, but someone immediately outbid me. I don’t think I can be bothered chasing this item. I’ve occasionally sold things on TradeMe but never purchased anything there, although a close friend does so regularly.
A few years ago I swapped some puzzles at libraries and may do so again. I have a store of half a dozen puzzles which I’ve done several times, but find I now want new challenges.
How long is it since you did a jigsaw puzzle?
To solve a jigsaw can be fun
with satisfaction once it’s done
Ruth's Reflections 
I do them on line at thejigsawpuzlles.com.. although there are many jigsaw puzzle sites this one has the hugest variety I only do 100 piece ones as the pieces end up nice and big on the screen .there are many 150 piece ones as well. They might be too easy for you?
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I prefer the genuine thing. I have done the New Yorker cover ones online, but not for several years.
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They would have had an auto-bid, which you could also do. They would have chosen the max they wanted to pay, e.g. $5, and if anyone had bid under that their bid just tops it. Have a look on TM for more details as to how this works or I could come and give you a tutorial as it is very useful for buying. However, you may not be really bothered…
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Thanks, Gillian. I’ll will investigate auto-bids, but will probably do library swaps and check op shops first.
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What a wonderful surprise to come home and find a friend had left me several new jigsaws.
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Hi Ruth
The Dallington Community Trust run a small Craft Shop on the corner of Mcbratneys and Gayhurst Roads. We have a selection of jigsaw puzzles available for free swaps (also some books free too). You would be most welcome to swap jigsaws there (we even let people borrow them if they have none to return, in the hope they will return one day!)
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David, that’s good to know. Today a friend kindly dropped four jigsaws in for me, so I’ll be all right for a while, but will remember your shop for a future time.
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David, I visited the Craft Shop yesterday at 11am, but they were closed (despite the info on their Facebook page) and the notice on the door suggested they may have been closed since early February this year. Do you know when/if they are open?
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Sorry Ruth – that was “Windows of Opportunity” Op Shop that was closed. The Dallington Craft Shop is just around the corner on Mcbratneys Road (the other side of the dairy) – open Mon to Fri 10.29am to 3.30pm (we ran out of 3’s when making up the notice board!) The Op Shop has been closed since Feb to protect their volunteers from Covid. We have certainly noticed a drop in foot traffic since they have closed.
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Thanks for that info, David. I’ll try again sometime.
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This looks like a lovely puzzle!
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It’s one of the most satisfying ones I’ve done. Sunflowers finished now – just the starry nights to go.
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I share your preference for detailed jigsaws rather than vast areas of one colour.
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What excellent taste you have!
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I have quite a number of puzzles I’ve done over the years and will probably not do again. I have to admit that I like some of the online jigsaw apps – mainly because if I drop a ‘real’ jigsaw piece on the floor certain little furry flatmates like to chew on them. Ruth, if you’d like a few more I can drop some round to you. Let me know ☺
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Dear Sue, That would be lovely thank you. No hurry.
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