Dark Matter Burr and 32nd Puzzle Auction Results

We have released our third puzzle of the year, the Dark Matter Burr. This puzzle was inspired by a visit to a timber yard where we were introduced to black wood. It is crafted from our original plywood, combining Koto, resulting in a visually striking product.

The total amount raised in our 32nd auction has set a new record. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who participated and contributed to the excitement. The total winning bids for the seven puzzles amounted to AUD $16,231.01, of which approximately half, AUD $8,120, was donated to a homeless support organization. Australia, located in the Southern Hemisphere, is entering a period of increasingly harsh winter weather. We hope that our contribution will help those without stable housing to live more comfortably during this challenging time.

This year, we have fewer puzzle releases, but we are currently working on several new projects simultaneously. We will notify you through our newsletter as the release date for the next puzzle approaches, so please stay tuned and be patient.

Hugo the Hippo - a trick opening puzzle box

Although it's already the second half of May, we have finally been able to release our second puzzle of the year. The new product is a trick opening puzzle box called Hugo the Hippo, inspired by the shape of a hippopotamus.

Hugo the Hippo is a relatively simple puzzle, but it took a lot of time to produce. If we were to produce it in quantities similar to Mittan or Dial Case, it would take us an entire year to make just this puzzle, so the production quantity is limited. We hope that dedicated puzzle enthusiasts will enjoy this puzzle.

Hugo the Hippo required CNC machining from five different directions and numerous jigs just to process the top panel. However, thanks to this effort, we were able to achieve a visual effect where the hippo's eyes appear to be always looking at you, no matter which direction the hippo is facing. This is unrelated to the essence of the puzzle, but it is one of the things we, as the creators, are glad we did.

We will continue to take on new challenges. Please look forward to the puzzles we will create in the future.

31st Puzzle Auction Results and New Products

We successfully concluded our 31st auction yesterday, featuring three puzzles: two Dial Cases and one Scramb L. The sales results are outlined below:

• Scramb L (Last stock) - AUD $213.00
• Dial Case (NYPDC version 2 of 2) - AUD $575.00
• Dial Case (NYPDC version 1 of 2) - AUD $420.00

In total, we reached AUD $1,208.00 in sales. As promised, we have donated AUD $604.00 to The Salvation Army Australia, as evidenced by the attached receipt. We hope that this donation will help those in need. We want to thank all those who took part in our auction.

With the auction concluded, let's shift our focus to our new puzzle and science toy.

Introducing our latest puzzle, the Tetracircles, a packing puzzle comprising five exquisite pieces and a tray crafted from six different timbers: Damar Minyak, Wenge, Zebrano, Bubinga, PNG Rosewood, and American Cherry. Each piece features a connected circle shape, with the convex part of each piece fits into the concave part of another piece. Despite its apparent simplicity with only five pieces, solving Tetracircles is more challenging than it appears. While accidental solving is not impossible, the probability is relatively low.

We believe "Tetracircles" will appeal to those new to puzzles, enticing them to take on the challenge due to its simple appearance and straightforward rule of packing all pieces into the tray.

For those unfamiliar with puzzles, Moire Gears, an aesthetically pleasing decoration designed by Yukari several years ago, would be enjoyable. Yukari created the Moire Gears when the CNC routers were not being used to machine puzzles to avoid interfering with Juno's puzzle production process. Although Yukari is currently working on a marble-run machine, she has an interest in creating automata. While the timeline for this project remains uncertain, she would like to build an automata someday. Please refer to the blog to view the automata she has previously constructed.