Sky Love 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.

You may like this Galison Gradient Puzzle Amazon link.

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Sky Love Puzzle - Roberta's Review

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Sky Love

Sooness
Ribbon Cut
1000 pieces
Finished Dimensions: 27.5” x 19.75”

My Confident Newbie Difficulty Rating: Moderate

This puzzle was one of three labeled Gradient Therapy. At first glance, it looks like the most complicated of the three. In terms of concentration, time and patience, it was by no means easy, but it could have flowed comfortably, in a calm and peaceful way, short of one major flaw . . .

Quality: All three Gradient Therapy puzzles measured up equally. The sturdy square box is attractive. Only part of the design wraps around the top and sides. A complete illustration is on the box bottom. Inside is a reusable ziplock bag of pieces and an actual 6.25” x 4.5” postcard with the full design. The color match of illustrations to pieces is great. There was no puzzle dust. The pieces are solid and have a totally matte finish. None were damaged, none were connected uncut, and none were missing. Piece fit was pick up off the table tight. Sounds perfect, right? No- false fits are not therapeutic!

Getting started: Find the edge pieces and sort by color. No question, careful sorting is key to a satisfying build with this puzzle. I sorted the lights and darks of each shade of each color, and the blends (blue-green, orange-yellow, purple-blue, etc.) Yes, there were a lot of trays!

Construction: I built the frame first — obviously it offers a world of color information and a great place to begin. Because the gradients do not cross over the five vertical columns, this is like doing five 200 piece puzzles! I built each of the color sections piece by piece, using the frame as a guide. The pieces offered distinct clues for the separations between the rows. During the sorting I set those pieces aside. During the build, for each color, I connected those hint pieces first. Built color sections connected to the frame and / or to each other in fairly short order, so progress was apparent. So was failure. For each color, I lined up the pieces by shape. A variety of traditional shapes are represented. Unfortunately, there were too many times when the piece shape I was looking for in the puzzle could not be found because of a false fit, and I was pulling sections apart. AARRGGHH! So frustrating, so annoying, so not relaxing, so not fun!

Final thoughts: It is difficult to know what to say. The three puzzles in the set are sold separately, but I love gradient puzzles, so of course I got all three. Even the bundle price is, by brand, comparatively pricey. Each was a unique design, and offered somewhat different build experiences. The other two had main designs that sat on pale, gradient backgrounds. BUT, all three suffered the same detriment. I have not tried the other puzzles featuring non gradient, interesting, colorful illustrations. So, I can’t say if false fits are evident in those. This company is independently owned by a young artist, and some puzzle designs feature the works of other upcoming artists. The runs of those puzzles are limited and, again, pricey. Every few months an artist’s designs are featured on a pre order basis, and production of a puzzle is based on the orders that meet a minimum run number. The remainder of any run is then offered for public sale, but when it is gone, it is gone. As puzzles go, the purchaser has something fairly unique. My first copy of Sky Love had manufacturing cut issues, obvious while sorting. I contacted the company and Soon (the owner) handled my inquiry personally, quickly, kindly, and sent a replacement. Stuff happens, I have no issue with that. I’m all for supporting new talent and small companies. But, it is difficult to recommend the Gradient Therapy collection. Other than the false fits, they are so perfect. It is clear that great pride is taken to insure customer satisfaction. Maybe consider it a Gradient Construction Challenge, and take a chance?!

My grades: Quality B+, fun factor B+

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About Rainbow Jigsaw Puzzles

Exploring the Vibrant World of Rainbow Jigsaw Puzzles

Introduction: Rainbows have long captivated our imagination with their breathtaking display of vibrant colors. The beauty and symbolism of rainbows have found their way into various forms of art, including jigsaw puzzles. In this article, we will delve into the enchanting world of rainbow jigsaw puzzles, exploring the Cobble Hill Rainbow Series by Shelley Davies and the diverse styles and images used to create these captivating puzzles.

The Cobble Hill Rainbow Series: A Kaleidoscope of Colors: The Cobble Hill Rainbow Series, designed by Shelley Davies, celebrates the magnificent array of colors found in rainbows. This series features a collection of jigsaw puzzles where each puzzle is dedicated to a specific color of the rainbow. From vivid reds and oranges to soothing blues and purples, these puzzles invite puzzlers to immerse themselves in the mesmerizing world of colors.

Styles of Rainbow Colors: Rainbow jigsaw puzzles can be created using various styles of rainbow colors, each offering a unique visual experience. Some common styles include:

  1. Pixels: Pixelated rainbow puzzles use small square tiles to create the overall image, with each tile representing a specific color of the rainbow. As the pieces come together, the image gradually reveals itself, showcasing the brilliance of rainbow hues.
  2. Gradients: Gradient rainbow puzzles feature smooth transitions between colors, creating a seamless spectrum. The colors blend harmoniously, offering a soothing and visually pleasing puzzle-solving experience.
  3. Graduated Color Blends: In graduated color blend puzzles, the colors gradually change from one hue to another, creating a stunning visual effect. These puzzles often showcase the subtle nuances and intricate transitions within the rainbow spectrum.

Using Different Images to Create Rainbow Colors: Rainbow jigsaw puzzles incorporate a wide range of images to create the vibrant spectrum of colors. Various objects and subjects are used to represent different colors of the rainbow, allowing for a diverse and visually captivating puzzle-solving experience. Some popular choices include:

  1. Flowers: Rainbow puzzles featuring images of blooming flowers showcase the diverse range of colors found in nature. From vibrant tulips and daisies to exotic orchids and roses, these puzzles showcase the rich hues that make up the rainbow.
  2. Marbles: Marbles offer a unique and mesmerizing way to represent rainbow colors in puzzles. Each marble represents a specific color, and as the pieces come together, the puzzle reveals a beautiful array of colors resembling a collection of glistening marbles.
  3. Produce: Fruits and vegetables can be used to create rainbow puzzles, with each fruit or vegetable representing a different color. From red apples and orange carrots to yellow bananas and green grapes, these puzzles celebrate the vivid colors found in the natural world.
  4. Bottles: Rainbow puzzles featuring bottles filled with colored liquids offer a visually striking representation of the rainbow spectrum. Each bottle represents a different color, creating a puzzle that is both aesthetically pleasing and engaging.
  5. Birds: Rainbow puzzles featuring images of colorful birds, such as parrots and hummingbirds, showcase the vibrant plumage found in nature. These puzzles bring together the beauty of birds and the captivating hues of the rainbow.
  6. Patterns: Pattern-based rainbow puzzles incorporate intricate designs and geometric shapes to represent the spectrum of colors. These puzzles often feature symmetrical patterns and tessellations, offering a visually stimulating and challenging puzzle-solving experience.

Conclusion: Rainbow jigsaw puzzles transport us into a world of vibrant colors and captivating imagery. Whether it's the Cobble Hill Rainbow Series by Shelley Davies or other rainbow-themed puzzles, these puzzles celebrate the beauty and symbolism of rainbows through their diverse styles and imaginative use of images. From pixels and gradients to graduated color blends, these puzzles offer a wide range of visual experiences.

By incorporating various objects and subjects such as flowers, marbles, produce, bottles, birds, and patterns, rainbow puzzles showcase the stunning diversity and rich colors found in our world. So, grab a rainbow puzzle, embark on a colorful journey, and immerse yourself in the joy of solving puzzles that celebrate the brilliance of the rainbow spectrum.

(ChatGPT, personal communication, June 20, 2023)