Hi Eric, any update on the Beaulid box?

Robert,

I'm interested in borrowing Oskar's Matchbox as well as the Devost remake of your snowflake.  Can I borrow both when you get them back from Stephen Chin?

-Jeff

Peter, could you post some other sites for other room escape puzzles?

I was able to solve the first Christmas room.  I struggled with it for a while - I'm surprised it's rated "easy."  I like these types of games.  It reminds me of some old games that I had on the Apple II in junior high.

-Jeff

VCR?  What's that? 

You can see some quick shots of the box on this video:

http://www.theastonishmentproject.com/shop/product_info.php?products_id=16280

The shots are very quick, and are around
1:12
1:36-1:37
2:16-2:17
2:37-2:38
2:58-2:59 (probably the best)
3:50-3:51
4:23
4:33-4:34

The box is a cube large enough to fit DVDs, so it's bigger than most puzzle boxes.

I also wonder about the quality and trickiness.  I agree that it opens in some nonstandard way, but will not be hard to figure out.  After all, the DVDs are the focus of this product.

You can ask Jason Messina (jm@trueastonishments.com).  He was quick to answer my queries the other day.

-Jeff

I was able to email the company, and the rep said that the concept for the box is by Paul Harris (the primary magician responsible for the DVD set), the actual mechanism was designed by Mark Allen (another magician), and it was manufactured by a Chinese company.

Have any of you heard of Mark Allen making any other puzzles?

Do any of you know who made the puzzle box for this magic DVD set?
http://www.magicwhiz.com/true-astonishment-dvd-set.html

There's a paragraph which states:
"You'll find this all packaged in a beautiful, custom made wooden puzzle box designed by one of the world's leading puzzle box makers which will handsomely and proudly display this important collector's set"

Who is it?  Heartwood creations?  Schaefer?  Fuller?  Yarger?  Makishi?  Karakuri Creation Group?  Gatewood?  Krasnow?

-Jeff

I have had the same experience.  I ordered a void cube in Oct.  I got an email back from them saying they received the order but to wait for a payment request from Paypal.  That never came.  I sent 2 followup emails but did not get any response.  -Jeff

She was pulled up the wall on wires for that un-aired commercial:

http://www.snopes.com/photos/advertisements/ballgirl.asp

I noticed that IPP 29 will be held next year in (redacted).  I am a puzzle collector who lives in the Area, and I would very much like to attend this.  Does anyone know how I could qualify for an invitation?  Thanks.

-Jeff

Great, thanks for letting us know what you're up to!  I looking forward to seeing your laser-cut puzzles.

-Jeff

Eric,

I was wondering if you Cubicdissection artists would consider posting news about your upcoming products earlier.  Posting preliminary information earlier would be like watching movie trailers - it would be great to have something more concrete to look forward to.  Right now there seems to only be one or two day's prior notice to a product being available for sale.  I understand that you can't pin down an exact price or sale date until you're done, but you could probably get an estimate within 50% of the price and 1-3 months of completion date.  That would certainly help people with a limited puzzle budget like myself to know when to save our pennies.   

-Jeff

Stickman #5 is on its way back to Robert Yarger.

-Jeff

I just checked, and Bits and Pieces it back online.  They only have their jigsaw puzzles for sale, but the site says they will be adding brainteasers and their other items back over the next few weeks.

-Jeff

Puzzle returned to John Devost today.

-Jeff

Robert,

I'm surprised that the size was a complaint.  I think it's a plus  you get more value for your dollar.

You know, it reminds me of the Borg cube from "Star Trek".

I don't think I'll be disassembling any of the panels - I still can't get it open!

-Jeff