The forecast said it would be hot today, but perhaps because of the cloudy weather, it did not get too hot in our area, which was a relief. And now that September has started, perhaps the extremely hot days we had earlier this summer will not return. September also feels like the time when I start preparing for Christmas sales at the end of the year. There are several types of puzzle boxes that I need to make in time for the Christmas season.
Today, I attached checkered Yosegi sheets to boards for 4-sun and Square puzzle boxes that I will use in the coming months. I plan to make another batch of Square puzzle boxes this month, but I think it will be a small batch. I have a small order to make, so I plan to make a few extra boxes at the same time. For the Square puzzle boxes I make at that time, I would like to make the Walnut series again, which was popular last time, and also add a few boxes with another design. I’m not sure yet if they will be limited models, but I’m thinking of using these checkered Yosegi sheets for them. I also posted about this on Instagram yesterday. One advantage of this checkered Yosegi is that the pattern runs vertically, which makes the position of the sliding key more difficult to see. I like this design myself, so I would also like to make it again using different colors and woods.
The photo shows the Yosegi and the board I prepared this time. The board is a little longer than the ones I usually use. As you can see in the photo, the checkered pattern is interrupted in the middle. This is because I actually attached two separate Yosegi sheets to this board. It depends on the craftsman, but when making Yosegi sheets, they are often made in a length that matches the size and type of box they will be used for. When I make this particular sheet, I make it a little shorter. I also often use another four-color checkered pattern. That pattern runs diagonally, and the sheet is a little longer, about 34 cm (13.4 inches). There is a reason for this length. When making 4-sun puzzle boxes, one sheet is long enough to cut three long side panels and four short side panels. The two-color vertical checkered sheet, however, is only about 20 cm (7.9 inches) long. From one sheet, I can cut one long side panel and one short side panel for a 4-sun box. This means that I need two sheets to make all four side panels for one 4-sun puzzle box. So, one board like the one in the photo has enough Yosegi for the side panels of one 4-sun box. There is a reason why I make these sheets about 20 cm long, although making them 34 cm long would also be fine. The 20 cm size is easier and quicker to make, and it is also easier to slice. So when I want to make some sheets quickly, I often make them this size. Of course, this also means that I use more sheets, so they run out quickly and I have to make them again! 😅
