Eurographics “Minerals” Chart

I am a big crafter, including beading and jewelry-making, so I've long been attracted to gems and minerals and attended lots of rock conventions.  In fact, when I was in sixth grade I entered a science fair with my rock collection and made it to the state level of the competition.  You may remember in early March when I did my first Eurographics puzzle, a chart of Gems.  I photographed that one before I'd framed it.  In mid-March, after Los Angeles had been shut down due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I finished the companion chart puzzle on Minerals.  I bought both of them new at the same time but found I needed to take a little break in between.  By comparison, the Gems puzzle contained much more information that the Minerals chart, including a map listing where the gems could be found, and definitions of some terms used to grade them.  The Minerals puzzle had great pictures which showed color and shape of the minerals, but no other information beyond their names. 

The Minerals chart is 1000pc, printed in Canada but made in USA.  The finished puzzle is 19 1/4" x26 5/8".  There is no year of copyright listed on the box.  

My idea was to find a lightweight frame, so that I could hang both charts inside the door of my wardrobe coat/game closet.  I was concerned about the odd size of the finished puzzles and expected to have to do some sort of custom thing.  But I found out Eurographics actually makes a frame called a SnapFrame, and it's sold on sale at Zulily.  They come in black, silver, or gold for around $30 plus shipping.  It was reasonable, shipped flat, and turned out to be fairly easy to assemble the puzzle in the frame.  I also liked that the same framing would allow the two puzzles to be further unified. 

Ravensburger "Colorful Marina" by David Stern

This 500 piece "Colorful Marina" is one of a few Ravensburger puzzles I've thrifted for Landon to complete.  Ravensburger is known for high quality in its puzzle construction, but I find myself drawn to this image.  Landon and Jenny knocked this one out quickly.  It measures 19 1/3" x 14 1/4", copyright 2015.

RoseArt Brand Encore "Up, Up and Away" No. 06052

This RoseArt Brand 500 piece puzzle is clearly vintage, but I can find no copyright year to date it.  It was thrifted, but is complete.  A beautiful image of hot air balloons that makes me want to attend a festival!  It's titled "Up, Up and Away" and I wish I could do just that.  Great job, Landon!

Hasbro Cardinal "Junior Jungle" Super 3D Puzzle by Howard Robinson

Landon and Jenny mastered this Super 3D Puzzle by Howard Robinson titled "Junior Jungle"!  This 500 piece puzzle must have been difficult to study as the pieces changed dimension.  It measures 24 x 18 inches and is copyright 2014.  It was made in China.

Ceaco "Life in Calico Country" by Ellen Eilers

Here's the next 550pc puzzle Landon and Jenny completed during the Coronavirus shutdown.  I love this tranquil scene of country life!  It's completed size is 18" x 24".  Made in the USA, there's a bio of the artist, Ellen Eilers, on the back of the box.  The box is also marked for ages 12 and up.  Landon is only eight years old!  So proud of his patience and problem solving skills.

Dowdle Folk Art "Nativity" by Eric Dowdle

It may not be Christmas, but Jenny and Landon are celebrating their time together.  This 500 piece puzzle by Dowdle Folk Art was made in Utah, not far from where I spent my middle and high school years.  I love the idea of supporting this family owned USA company.  The finished puzzle measures 16" x 20"

Ceaco "Mother and Father" by Schim Schimmel

This 550 piece puzzle by Ceaco Glows in the Dark!  It's from a line of three designed by Schim Schimmel featuring wildlife.  It's made in the USA, and the finished puzzle measures 20" x 20".  Copyright 2008, it's design is eco friendly.  The box is marked for age 12 and up, again much more mature than Landon's age.  

Landon looks so much more like his mom Jenny as he grows older.  Even in the short time we've had this blog up, it's so much fun to see how he's grown and changed.

Karmin International "Cat Bookshelf" by Randal Spangler

Now that all California elementary schools have switched to online learning due to Coronavirus Pandemic, Landon and his mom Jenny are returning to their puzzle hobby.  I know Landon misses his buddies, but I think he's awfully lucky to have his mom and dad's undivided attention.

This puzzle from Karmin International features the artwork of Randal Spangler in 550 pieces.  It measures a finished size of 24" x 18".  The box mentions an earth friendly design and is copyright 2017. 

This was a thrift store find that seems to be complete!  I'll be passing it along to my cousin.

Golden Movie Poster Puzzle "Walt Disney Pictures Presents The Rescuers Down Under"

At a final size of 2x3 feet, this puzzle is almost as big as Landon!  Now that Landon is eight, he's been so busy that puzzling has taken a back seat to other activities (mostly sports).  But since the advent of "stay at home" orders in the state of California due to Coronavirus as of March 16th, 2020, Landon's finding his old pasttime to be a great hobby once again.

This Movie Poster Puzzle is made by Golden and Western Publishing Company Inc.  It features the Walt Disney Picture "The Rescuers Down Under."  It advertises "extra large, fully interlocking, brilliant color" in its 300 pieces.  A thrift store find, Landon will have fun passing this along to a friend now that he's done with it.

Eurographics "Gemstones" Chart

I picked up this Eurographics puzzle when I discovered Zulily.com.  Charts are a favorite of mine, and Eurographics makes several cool ones.  I love gems and minerals, and actually spotted the companion puzzle on minerals first but it sold out before I had spending money.  I've since gotten both puzzles, so that one will be soon to come.  I have a white wardrobe cabinet as my coat closet, and it has a side shelf cabinet where I store games and some crafts.  I'll mount both these puzzles in some light framing - maybe just gluing to foamcore - so that I can hang them on the inside door of the cabinet.  

There are thirty six gems in the puzzle, each with composition, hardness, luster, and colors listed.  At the bottom of the puzzle is a strip that defines terms, shapes, cuts, and shows main locations of harvesting gems.  The puzzle itself was difficult with all the wording, white background, and gradient gray shading to each rectangle.  At a finished size of 19 1/4" x 26 5/8", it would be an expensive framing job if I chose to do it, as it would require a custom size.  

The puzzle pieces were not cut incredibly tight, but reasonably so.  There was a fair amount of puzzle dust in the box, and several pieces were interlocked with resulting splitting of the cardboard when the pieces were twisted apart.  Where quality is concerned, Eurographics does not rate among my favorites.  I'd say the quality is average, but I liked the design.  It took me about eighteen hours over two and a half days to complete.