Arizona Map Puzzle 
by Guest Writer Roberta Shore

We invite you to read Roberta Shore's review on the following jigsaw puzzle. Since she has discovered the advantages of jigsaw puzzling, she has reviewed/journaled several that will be available on this website. Arizona Map Jigsaw Puzzle Amazon Link

Arizona Map Jigsaw Puzzle Sunsout Random Cut 1000 pieces Finished size: 23" x 28"

Arizona Map Puzzle - Roberta's Review

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Arizona Map Jigsaw Puzzle Sunsout Random Cut 1000 pieces Finished size: 23" x 28"

Arizona Map Jigsaw Puzzle

Sunsout jigsaw puzzles

Random Cut 

1000 pieces

Finished size: 23" x 28"

My Confident Newbie Difficulty rating: Medium to fairly Easy

Having been puzzling now for 10 months, and completing 66 puzzles of various difficulty, I found this puzzle fairly easy, but only for one reason (more on that in a sec). Even so, I do think a new puzzler would find it more challenging.

Quality: There were some issues: false fits in the frame, making building it frustrating, and loose piece fit, making moving even small sections annoying. Otherwise, the box is square, large and only fairly sturdy. It contained a sealed bag of pieces, some puzzle dust and no poster. Color match to the full box top pic was fine. The pieces are sturdy, they have some shine. None were together uncut, or actually damaged, however, the remnants of some of the blue backing were still attached to a number of the pieces. No pieces were missing - that would have ruined my ending to this review!

Now, for that one reason, starting with the mantra - find the edge pieces and sort by color. Oh my, the edge pieces — so many false fits I thought for sure pieces were missing. It took quite a while to get it together. The sorting was pretty straight forward. I sorted the sky, the Colorado River, the red state outline, the big Arizona, the many, many mainly yellow pieces, all the other multicolor pieces, the smaller text locations, and the bigger text cities and towns. That was the secret to saying this was easy.

Construction: I filled in the sky, then pieced and placed (with that aforementioned annoyance) all the locations where they probably belonged in the puzzle. There was now so much color information to piece to. I filled in the big Arizona, some of the Colorado River and parts of the red outline. Then came the rest. Two things - (1) this is a random cut puzzle, even many of the “traditional” shaped pieces can be oddly skewed. So, sorting by shape is definitely more complicated, perhaps even less useful. (2) The huge pile of mostly yellow pieces was intimidating, sub-sorting to what end? To be honest, I did nothing but dump them in the box top and shuffle through them. Many found homes more quickly than anticipated. The somewhat smaller pile of “other” pieces got the same treatment in the box bottom, with the same result. When down to a reasonable amount of pieces, I did arrange them by main color and shape.

This was so surprising! This was so much fun! Why? I suppose I bought this puzzle (well, it was #3 in a buy two get one free sale) because I live in Arizona. It is not my favorite style of puzzle. I shy away from “busy”. Imagine if there were no words, just more native animals and plants. Thank goodness Arizona has so many tourist locations!

My grades:

Quality: B-, Fun Factor: an amazing A+

Note: Don’t disregard Sunsout. It is an affordable brand with tons of different themes and puzzle designs. I’ve done several; one had a missing piece, one had serious quality issues. Both were replaced without question. I wanted a replacement for the one with the missing piece. I was concerned the quality issue on the other would surface again, and I was allowed a different puzzle of my choice. So great customer service for sure!

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About Jigsaw Puzzlers

Exploring the Diverse Personalities of Jigsaw Puzzle Enthusiasts

Introduction: Jigsaw puzzles have long captivated individuals of all walks of life, providing a unique form of entertainment and relaxation. The people who enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles come from various backgrounds and possess distinct personalities. In this article, we will delve into the different personality types of jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts, including the term "dissectologist," the qualities of collectors and hoarders, and the driving force behind the desire to possess certain puzzles.

  1. The Dissectologist: Passionate Problem-Solvers The term "dissectologist" has been coined to describe individuals who revel in the process of solving jigsaw puzzles. These enthusiasts possess a deep curiosity and enjoy the challenge of breaking down complex images into smaller, manageable pieces. Dissectologists are often patient, detail-oriented, and persistent in their pursuit of completing a puzzle.
  2. Collectors: Seeking Variety and Mastery Many jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts are avid collectors. They take delight in acquiring and assembling a wide range of puzzle designs, often driven by a desire for variety and the satisfaction of building an extensive collection. Collectors are motivated by the pursuit of mastery, constantly seeking new challenges and honing their puzzle-solving skills.
  3. Hoarders: The Love for Possessing Puzzles Some individuals who enjoy jigsaw puzzles exhibit hoarding tendencies, driven by an emotional attachment to the puzzles themselves. These individuals find joy in owning and preserving a vast array of puzzles, often displaying them as a source of pride. The act of collecting and possessing the puzzles becomes an integral part of their identity and serves as a source of comfort.
  4. The Thrill of Completion: Must-Have Puzzles Certain jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts experience an intense drive to acquire specific puzzles. Whether it's a rare edition, a limited release, or a puzzle featuring a beloved theme, the allure of "must-have" puzzles is irresistible to these individuals. The excitement and sense of accomplishment that come with completing these coveted puzzles fuel their passion.
  5. Social Puzzle Solvers: Connecting and Bonding For some, jigsaw puzzles serve as a means of social connection. These individuals relish the opportunity to gather with friends or family, working collaboratively to solve puzzles. The act of puzzle-solving becomes a shared experience, fostering teamwork, communication, and a sense of camaraderie.
  6. Therapeutic Solitude: Escape and Relaxation Many puzzle enthusiasts find solace and relaxation in the solitary act of solving puzzles. The process of fitting pieces together offers a respite from daily stressors, allowing individuals to enter a state of mindfulness and focus. Puzzling serves as a form of self-care, promoting mental well-being and providing a temporary escape from the demands of everyday life.

Conclusion: The world of jigsaw puzzle enthusiasts is as diverse as the puzzle pieces they meticulously connect. From the dissectologists who relish the challenge to collectors driven by the pursuit of mastery, and the hoarders who find comfort in possession, each personality type brings a unique perspective and passion to the world of jigsaw puzzles.

Whether seeking the thrill of completion or the joy of social connection, puzzle enthusiasts find solace, relaxation, and fulfillment in the art of puzzle-solving.

(ChatGPT, personal communication, June 20, 2023)