How Mary Lee Smyth got into wooden puzzle-making at the top, returned to it later as a hobby, and began to again do it professionally during the Covid lock-downs. (about 4200 words; 13 photos)
Well done, Bill. Your posting for today is my favourite among all 34 that you've shared regarding your wooden puzzle hobby. As usual, there are things here to be learned about the tools, techniques, marketing, and enjoyment of the puzzles, but your interview/biography of Mary Lee Smyth also includes oodles of human interest and has a stand-alone quality as an engaging piece of writing, whether or not one cares about puzzles per se. Thanks, and best regards, —Greg
Thanks, Greg. As you know, my postings often include a section about the creative folks behind the puzzle - the artist or the puzzle-maker - but this is my first posting that is basically entirely a biography. Thank you Mary Lee for the time she spent responding to my e-mail enquiries and answering my snoopy questions during our phone interviews.
A wonderful article, Bill. Mary Lee is an exceptional puzzle cutter. I have followed her every posting and she has even shared some tips and encouragement with me. A terrific tribute to a very talented and genuinely nice person.
Well done, Bill. Your posting for today is my favourite among all 34 that you've shared regarding your wooden puzzle hobby. As usual, there are things here to be learned about the tools, techniques, marketing, and enjoyment of the puzzles, but your interview/biography of Mary Lee Smyth also includes oodles of human interest and has a stand-alone quality as an engaging piece of writing, whether or not one cares about puzzles per se. Thanks, and best regards, —Greg
Thanks, Greg. As you know, my postings often include a section about the creative folks behind the puzzle - the artist or the puzzle-maker - but this is my first posting that is basically entirely a biography. Thank you Mary Lee for the time she spent responding to my e-mail enquiries and answering my snoopy questions during our phone interviews.
A wonderful article, Bill. Mary Lee is an exceptional puzzle cutter. I have followed her every posting and she has even shared some tips and encouragement with me. A terrific tribute to a very talented and genuinely nice person.