Handcrafting the world's finest wooden jigsaw puzzles since 1974
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.
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.
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 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!
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.
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!
Limited Edition Denzel sells out!
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!
Stave Puzzles chosen as Martha Stewart's Made in America award gift to recipients.
Trick puzzlers beg for more. Chantilly is born! This two sided adventure is 10 times more difficult
than her counterpart, Champ.
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.
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!
Steve invents TroubleMakers™. London Larceny and Cabbie Conundrum are introduced.
Purchase a TENTH jigsaw for the shop. Do some re-arranging to make room and commemorate with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
PuzzleNuts community members write Wikipedia entry about Stave.
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.
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.
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!"
Steve invents his first 3D Trick Puzzle, "Loop-de-Loop"
25th Anniversary puzzleNut Party features World’s First Xtreme Puzzling Event. Throngs of addicted puzzlers attend.
Trunk Shows begin. Stave road show travels to Virginia and Vermont.
Crazy Claws invented by Steve.
Steve invents Monkey Fist trick. Limited Edition Riddle Puzzles are introduced.
Limited Edition Mystery Story Puzzles are introduced. Whodunit is woven into the story, image and silhouettes in the puzzle.
Stave hosts World Championship of Trick Jigsaw Puzzles. Despite valiant efforts, the $10,000 prize goes unclaimed. Puzzle has riddles hidden throughout.
Stave in Guinness Book of World Records for most expensive jigsaw puzzle at $15,000. Dollhouse Village, Limited Edition.
Champ is introduced, Steve's first small (44 pieces) Trick design. Big media break: 8-page feature story in Smithsonian.
April Fools puzzle with no solution is created. Enrages puzzlers. All money refunded. 5 Easy Pieces
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 year 'round. 8 saws.
Full-page feature in New York Times Magazine.
Stave builds addition on shop.
Stave trains more puzzlecrafters,
Shop consists of 4 saws.
First 2-Way Trick Puzzle introduced. Go Fish, Limited Edition. Sold Out.
ABC News, Hughes Rudd, does feature on Stave. First national media story.
Whammy Edge and Sculpts introduced. Steve becomes "Chief Tormentor".
Stave becomes first puzzle maker to commission original art for puzzles. Winter Fantasy, Limited Edition.
Steve buys Dave out for $1 and a jigsaw. Builds small shop behind his garage and hires an employee.
Steve and Dave combined their names to form“Stave” (which also means to break to pieces).
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.
Starts game design business with designer Dave Tibbetts.
Steve Richardson bags the Garden State Parkway (MBA, Fortune 500 companies) and moves to Vermont.