Kathleen Malcolmson

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The items on this page are designed and handmade by Kathleen Malcolmson. Some of her woodworks have been inspired by puzzles and toys which enjoyed great popularity in years gone by. Other items are her own original creations. These days, Kathleen is focusing on puzzle boxes.

Kathleen’s work consists of items that do something. They have a “surprise value.” They move, they open or somehow change shape. They create illusions, they have a secret or a trick. They stimulate logical and creative thinking, and they are are unusual, fun, well made, and clever!

 

 

 

Olive Ash Burl Ties

Cleverwood Woodwear Wooden Neckties
bulletSix varieties
bulletOlive Ash Burl, Tamo, French Burl, Birdseye Maple
bullet12 segments strung with elastic
bulletHand carved Solid Hardwood Knot
bullet19 1/2" Long x 3" at it's widest point x 3/8" thick
bullet2.7 oz (78g)
bulletOriginal Design
$29.95
to
$35.00

Kathleen Malcolmson —Puzzle Artist

“When I design a puzzle, I think of each piece as well as the whole thing. It should be challenging to solve and beautiful to look at. Even when some of my puzzles are apart, just looking at one of the pieces can spark your imagination.”

Kathleen has always been interested in woodworking and in puzzles. Her education includes mathematics, computer science, logic studies, and woodworking. For most of her adult life, while working on a computer science degree, Kathleen was employed in business offices. Then, in 1993, she decided to follow her heart.

“Looking back, I can see now that I was never really happy in the business world-subconsciously I knew I should have been doing something more creative and self-directed.”

Since then she has found and read many books on puzzle making, and has honed her woodworking skills to a fine edge. Her work is gaining recognition in professional woodworking circles, as well as with puzzle collectors.
Kathleen wants her work to bring fun and challenge to as many people as possible. She designs puzzles that appeal to the novice, the puzzle expert, and everyone in between.

Solving a mechanical puzzle gives one a sense of hands-on accomplishment and satisfaction that is increasingly difficult to find in the digital world of today. Just open a video game cartridge,-can you see how it works? Solving a mechanical wooden puzzle can be a very personal, gratifying experience.

Finally, what sets Kathleen’s work apart from much of the fine craft being produced today is that her creations are meant to be handled, not just looked at.

“I consider one of my new designs a success when people have to touch it-if they just look at it I know it needs more work.”

 

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A mechanical puzzle is a self-contained object, composed of one or more parts, which involves a problem for one person to solve by manipulation using logic, reasoning, insight, luck, and/or dexterity.” - Jerry Slocum

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