It was much cooler again today. Although the sky was cloudy, it was a comfortable day. At times, it looked like it might rain, but fortunately, the rain held off. However, yesterday’s news reported that another typhoon is approaching. It is expected to come close to our area around next Thursday, so we may soon have strong rain and winds again.
Over the past few days, I have started planning my production schedule for next month. I already have some orders to complete, so they will take priority. I am also adding some puzzle boxes that are currently out of stock to the schedule. I was planning to make a 5-sun puzzle box, but I have decided to make the 5-sun puzzle box with a drawer first in October. I will make them for both my own stock and wholesale orders. Another model already decided is the puzzle box for Hakone that I mentioned recently. Since it will be made to match the size of the Yosegi, it will not have standard measurements, but it will be about the size of a 4-sun puzzle box. It will have a 14-step mechanism. For the side panels, I will use the two-color checkered Yosegi made with the red wood that I introduced in a recent post.
Another model already planned is the 3-sun 7-step puzzle box. I feel that it has been a very long time since I last made this box. Recently, I have not made many small puzzle boxes with a low number of steps. One reason is the physical effort required, but another is the rising cost of shipping. Since the pandemic, the relatively inexpensive international airmail services that were available before are no longer available. Because of this, shipping small boxes like these overseas is no longer a practical choice. Of course, I could raise the price and sell them on my website, but I do not think many people would buy a small puzzle box with only a few steps at a high price. This time, I am making them for an overseas shop. The shop will purchase several boxes together, so you may see them available there in the future.
The boxes in today’s photo are models that I used to make often. They are 2-sun cube puzzle boxes, measuring about 6 cm or 2.36 inches, with 2-step and 7-step mechanisms. Unlike the 4-step model, only the top panel and one side panel move. I used to make many puzzle boxes like these. Many people first bought one of these more affordable boxes and later purchased a puzzle box with a higher number of steps. In that sense, these may have been good introductory puzzle boxes. Looking back, perhaps I offer fewer different models now. I no longer sell these 2-sun cube puzzle boxes either. They bring back many memories.
Speaking of the 2-sun cube puzzle box, the most popular model was the 4-step puzzle box with a drawer. I considered making it again this year, but unfortunately, I was not able to do so. The last time I made this model was for Hakone market last year. That production was also for wholesale, so I did not sell it on my website. Next year, I plan to reduce the number of smaller puzzle boxes in my lineup even further. For the 3-sun size, I may keep only the 12-step and 18-step models. I hope to continue making as many models as possible while finding a good balance with the rising costs.
