Located in Norwich, Vermont, we handcraft the finest wooden jigsaw puzzles found in the world today and we have been bringing fun, challenge and togetherness to families and friends since 1974.
The Blue Box Experience!
Luxurious, Unique, Devilish, and Fun. Stave's mischievously dazzling puzzles keep puzzlers coming back for more.
This video shows the magic behind those wooden jigsaw puzzle pieces.
Watch this video all about The Blue Box ExperienceStave Craftsmanship
Each wooden jigsaw puzzle is meticulously hand-cut, one piece at a time, by a skilled crafter. No computers, no high-tech. One saw, one cutter — that's it. Using lots of imagination and a little bit of magic, we handcraft each puzzle - piece by piece - using precision jigsaws with blades no wider than an eyelash. After the cherry back is carefully sanded and polished to a soft gleam, the puzzle is placed inside a beautiful keepsake handmade box. There's no other puzzle in the world quite like a Stave and there's no other experience like solving one. The fun isn't just what's inside the box — it's everything about Stave.
Our Attitude
Our commitment to family fun and our devotion to puzzle making has transformed the idea of the jigsaw puzzle from a very simple diversion into a highly expressive and entertaining art form. Stave puzzles are collected and treasured around the world as unique and precious heirlooms. The wit and mischief of Stave inspires letters, calls, gifts, bribes and pranks way beyond what you would expect from a normal business. Puzzlers feel free to rant and rave, sing praises, sling insults, beg for more torture, and generally have fits of pain and ecstasy knowing that equally outrageous acts will be the Stave response. Join the fun!
Watch Stave on CBS Sunday MorningStave People
World class service from down-home people. You'll love our zany approach to doing business, our creative mailings with clever games, and our dogged determination to match you up with exactly the right wooden jigsaw puzzle. When you buy handmade wood puzzles from Stave, you become part of the Stave family.
Stave Timeline
2020
Stave sadly cancels the 45th Anniversary Party and host's the very first Virtual Anniversary Puzzle Party.
2019
Making plans for the big party coming up. It's our official 45th anniversary year.
2018
ROAR!!! Stave introduces the very first 5-Sword Tormentor™ puzzle, The Mane Event.
2017
Stave introduces a new style Teaser™ called Touzzles. A puzzle containing all teaser pieces that challenges you to think outside the box!
2016
Stave heads west for our first Puzzle Party Weekend at Triple Creek Ranch, an award-winning luxury ranch resort hidden away in the breathtaking Bitterroot Mountain Range of the Montana Rockies.
2015
We celebrated our 40th Anniversary in August with a Pirate themed party at The Woodstock Inn, Woodstock, Vermont.
Steve introduced Devil's Triangles, a new genre of Trick puzzles in a competition at our 40th Anniversary Party. The best puzzlers went head-to-head with The Chief Tormentor in a 40 minute duel to solve all four solutions of this 5 lightning bolt Trick. Did they solve it? Of course not!
Stave, in partnership with Twin Farms, hosts our first Murder Mystery Weekend, "T is for Torment, M is for Murder". The Murder Mystery was a huge success and the annual event continues with a diffent theme each year.
Limited Edition Denzel sells out!
2014
Our official 40th Anniversary year!
After 6 photographers, 4 designers, 3 host servers, input from more "experts" than we know what to do with, and a gazillion dollars later, we're finally ready to blow up our old website and launch a new one! WOOT! WOOT!
2013
Stave Puzzles chosen as Martha Stewart's Made in America award gift to recipients.
2012
Trick™ puzzlers beg for more. Chantilly is born! This two sided adventure is 10 times more difficult than her counterpart, Champ.
2011
Discover Atlantis, Steve designs a new Trick Limited Edition puzzle with seven layers of stormy seas. Popular artist, Bill Bell, creates an original piece of artwork depicting a fanciful version of how Stave Puzzles may have appeared in the Middle Ages. Staveland becomes a best selling Traditional puzzle.
Stave introduces Tidbits™, gift sized puzzles that can be personalized with a short handwritten message.
2010
Flashback to the 70's as we celebrate our 35th Anniversary at The Woodstock Inn, Woodstock, Vermont giving away $35,000 in puzzles and prizes including the final edition of Doll House Series, valued at $25,000.
Limited Editions Time Traveler and Treasure Island sell out!
2009
Steve invents TroubleMakers™. London Larceny and Cabbie Conundrum are introduced.
2008
Purchase a TENTH jigsaw for the shop. Do some re-arranging to make room and commemorate with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
2007
Featured on the CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood. Website hits soar off the charts! Stave PuzzleNuts Community, an online network where puzzlenuts can meet other Stave fanatics and participate in games and contests launches.
2005
In celebration of our 30th Anniversary, TreasureTrove was introduced launching a new genre of original designs - Treasures™. They combine many of our most devious, intricate, and tricky elements with the elegance and artistry of our Traditional puzzles.
30th Anniversary party with the headless horseman at Castle On The Hudson, Tarrytown, NY
Limited Edition Pentagon sells out!
Only at Landsʼ End will you find... The Worldʼs Greatest Puzzle! Landsʼ End collaborates with Stave to specially design a 17 puzzle, Four Season Set for their Holiday Catalog.
2004
Gordon Elliot and camera crew visit the Stave shop and film a segment for the Fine Living Channelʼs Genuine Article. "Itʼs all about the quality and the people behind the passion for excellence!"
2003
Steve receives the first Spilsbury Award, at Association of Game and Puzzle Collector's 17th annual convention.
Steve invents his first 3D Trick™ Puzzle, Loop de Loop.
2000
25th Anniversary PuzzleNut Party features World’s First Xtreme Puzzling Event. Throngs of addicted puzzlers attend and National Public Radio covers event.
1999
Trunk Shows begin. Stave travels to Virginia and throughout Vermont.
1998
Crazy Claws™ invented by Steve.
1997
Steve invents Monkey Fist Trick™. Limited Edition Riddle Puzzles are introduced.
1996
Limited Edition Mystery Story Puzzles are introduced. Whodunit is woven throughout the story, image and silhouettes.
1995
Stave hosts World Championship of Trick Jigsaw Puzzles. Despite valiant efforts, the $10,000 prize goes unclaimed. Puzzle has riddles hidden throughout.
1993
Stave in Guinness Book of World Records for most expensive jigsaw puzzle at $15,000. Dollhouse Village, Limited Edition. Sold Out.
1992
Stave is featured in an article in USA Weekend written by Tom Peters, entitled The 10 Ways We Do It Right.
1990
Champ is introduced, Steve's first small (44 pieces) Trick™ design. Big media break: 8-page feature story in Smithsonian.
Stave introduces Teaser™ puzzles by artist Candy Thun.
1989
April Fool's puzzle, 5 Easy Pieces, with no solution is created. Enrages puzzlers and Steve refunds all money.
1988
Invited to show puzzles at the White House.
Steve remortgages his soul, moves Stave Puzzles out of his house, builds a new workshop to operate 8 saws year 'round.
1987
Full-page feature in New York Times Magazine.
1984
Stave builds addition on shop and trains more puzzle crafters. Shop now consists of 4 saws.
1983
First 2-Way Trick™ Puzzle introduced. Go Fish, Limited Edition. Sold Out.
1981
Hughes Rudd of ABC News does feature on Stave. First national media story.
1978
Whammy Edge and Sculpts introduced. Steve becomes "Chief Tormentor".
1977
Stave becomes first puzzle maker to commission original art for puzzles. Winter Fantasy, Limited Edition. Sold Out.
1976
Steve buys Dave out for $1 and a jigsaw. Builds small shop behind his garage and hires an employee.
1974
Is offered $300 to make a wooden jigsaw puzzle. Steve accepts the job, buys a saw to figure out how to do it. Stave Puzzles is born.
Steve and Dave combined their names to form “Stave” (which also means to break to pieces).
1970
Starts game design business with designer Dave Tibbetts.
1969
Steve Richardson bags the Garden State Parkway (MBA, Fortune 500 companies) and moves to Vermont.