Strike a Pose 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.

Strike a Pose puzzle Amazon link

Strike a Pose Puzzle Cross & Glory Ribbon Cut 1000 Pieces Finished Dimensions: 27” x 20”

Strike a Pose Puzzle - Roberta's Review

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Strike a Pose Puzzle

Cross & Glory
Ribbon Cut
1000 Pieces
Finished Dimensions: 27” x 20”

My Confident Puzzler Difficulty Rating: Medium to Hard

From the box description: “ . . . An artistic masterpiece featuring a stunning illustration of a woman with pink hair and big cat-eye style sunglasses. Her bright red lipstick pops against the abstract colors in the artwork. . . The patterns and texture in the art are simply mesmerizing, making this puzzle an absolute delight to solve. A mix of hand drawn and digital elements add depth and dimension to the design. Strike a Pose is a nod to the iconic song, adding a touch of glamour and fun. . . The perfect challenge for any puzzle enthusiast.”

Quality: It is clear this brand is proud of the puzzles it produces. This is only the second one I have experienced, but the quality rings true. It was perfect in every way. The small, sturdy, 8” square box has the full graphic on both the top and bottom. Inside was a sealed bag of pieces, a promotional piece, and an 8” x 8” poster. There was no puzzle dust. Color match pieces to images was excellent. The solid pieces had an almost matte “satin” finish. There were no false fits. Piece fit was immaculate — the right piece literally fell into place. No pieces were damaged or together uncut, and none were missing. When complete, the piece fit was pick it up, turn it over tight!

Getting started: Find the edge pieces and sort by color. My first thought about this puzzle was the sorting would clearly be easier than the construction - the areas of color were distinct: background, hair, glasses, face and hand, cocktail, clothing, food and drink, table.True enough, but the sub sorting got more specific. Twenty 7” trays later, the sorts included mostly green with background, brown with dark orange, solid brown, sunglasses, lips and facial features, solid shades of aqua, shades of aqua with black lines, wine glass and contents, shirt neckline, shirt pattern, bright yellow, food plate, gray plate edge, and off white table. Adding to the challenge, all the pieces were the same 2 in / 2 out traditional shape.

Construction: I built the frame first. Next I filled in the off white table corners. I usually try to work in from the frame, but I was avoiding the background, and decided to do the sunglasses, then the face and hand. All that went at medium difficulty with good progress. At that point my grown daughter, a practiced puzzler, arrived for a visit. She filled in the hair while I worked on the clothes. She started on the background while I built the cocktail contents and the food. Again, just medium difficulty and good progress for me. My daughter took a break. We both knew the background would be arduous. It was. Those sub sorts were a big help, but it still took a lot of time and patience. Hence, the hard difficulty rating. Finally it was complete! Along with the sense of accomplishment and shared fun, there was a dual sigh of relief.

Strike-a-pose-puzzle-2

Final thoughts: Apparently I did not follow Madonna’s rise to fame. I had to ask my daughter about the iconic song. There are several curiosities in this abstract art piece. What else is in that plate of spaghetti? A smoking pipe in the cocktail? What are those falling green globs? Why is she aqua? Maybe I’m just older or less hip than I wish to admit. Whatever the answers, I truly was taken by the illustration, I had to this puzzle - I own and wear those sunglasses! As for Cross and Glory. Do check them out. There are most definitely more curious and abstract puzzles in their collection, along with some unexpected, sweet, and beautiful ones among them. At left is the first one I did. Above all, it’s the quality and piece fit that make them so gratifying to put together.

My grades for Strike a Pose: Quality A+, Fun factor A+

There's More To Jigsaw Puzzles Than Pieces Book by Linda Richard. A compilation of 50+ jigsaw puzzle related topics, tips and tricks written in conversational format for easy, light reading.There's More To Jigsaw Puzzles Than Pieces Book by Linda Richard. A compilation of 50+ jigsaw puzzle related topics, tips and tricks written in conversational format for easy, light reading. Click Here
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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)