Jigsaw puzzle:Cracked! Egg Within!

Each year since 1994, jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts, cutters, and collectors meet in an official venue for a Puzzle Parley. Over the course of a weekend the group holds an official program of workshops, lectures and displays; they also visit nearby puzzle-related attractions (individual collections, manufacturers, etc.) and spend time buying, selling and swapping jigsaw puzzles. Participants who cut their own puzzles can also participate in an official "Pagey Elliott Puzzle Exchange," named in honor of Rachel Page Elliott (1913-2009) whose idea for an open exchange led to the first Puzzle Parley in 1994, and who began cutting wooden puzzles in her 70s. 2014 marks the first year that all 18 of the cutters who participated in the exchange donated one puzzle to the collections at The Strong. Melinda Shebell of Jardin Puzzles produced an egg-shaped puzzle which features many specially-cut pieces which add to its difficulty. It has an irregular edge, figural pieces, a patterned edge, and interior dropout pieces. Shebell used Japanese Washi paper to create the design. The result is a well-crafted and undoubtedly difficult puzzle.