Hoping For The Best: My First Time Testing Out A ZaraCraft Puzzle.

[@crazypuzzlechick]

THAT is a cool looking puzzle. Glad you reviewed it for us. Must add to my collection.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

It's definitely well worth a try just for the challenge, even with the crumbliness. Hope you enjoy it when you do try it out!

[@ccgirl5055]

Thanks for the video! That image was very pretty! My thoughts on the poster... Really big posters like that, if they are the exact size as the puzzle, then they are meant to be an option for people to build on top of. It would have been interesting to see you demonstrate building on the poster and see it used in that way. The company is probably trying to bring in elements comparable to diamond painting, to be relaxing while still having challenges such as the piece shape. 🙂

[@thepuzzledmandy]

You're very welcome! Interesting, I never thought that could be a reason why a poster would be the same size as the actual puzzle. Honestly, I don't know who I'd fair building the puzzle on top of the poster. I'm not sure if my eyes/brain can handle it, if that makes sense LOL.

[@TheBibliophilePuzzler]

Hello. It was great to watch your video. I enjoyed the puzzle because of the challenge of the hexagonal piece shapes. That kept me interested, especially once I started to realize that the pieces were two in, four out, etc. I don’t let puzzles that don’t stay together as well deter me from the enjoyment of the process. Especially since I knew from the very beginning that the pick up challenge was not even considerable.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

😁 Hi! It sure was a very interesting challenge, and one that I've never tried before. It was also my first time working on a puzzle shape like this. But that beautiful image kept me pushing on. Even though crumbliness can make me frown at times, I also always try to make the best out of any puzzling experience. At the end of the day, it's keeping me from thinking about the everyday stuff/stress that I have to deal with 😅

[@TheBibliophilePuzzler]

@@thepuzzledmandyYes it really was a fun puzzle. Have you done any Cobble Hill puzzles. It is a brand I love, but almost as equally crumbly. Nonetheless, I love the images (especially collages) and will keep doing them. In fact, I am about to begin another 1000 piece Cobble Hill puzzle this morning.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

@@TheBibliophilePuzzler I've done one Cobble Hill puzzle. It's been a long time since, but I do remember enjoying it. I'm going to have to pick a couple more soon.

[@Angela-wq5zk]

Beautiful puzzle, it would look really nice glued and hung up.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Yes, you're so right. And it's such a great shape for it too.

[@initiate22000]

I know it's wrong, but my favorite moment was when you opened the bag from the wrong end! You always do something to make me laugh. 😅 Those are strange looking puzzle pieces, which would have been fine but for that dreaded crumbliness! Oh well, worth a try.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Oh that's ok, I know I'm a mess at times😅 Even with the crumbliness, I agree it is worth a try considering how different it is. I hope it is something they work on for future puzzles.

[@kat1936]

I did this puzzle recently as well and enjoyed it. Just opening the box felt overwhelming, but I found it to be a good challenge overall. I started with the edges and then worked on the yellow sky, dock, and then water, and ended with the sky. I ended up sorting by shape at the end when I had blue pieces left. Separating them in sections with how many nubs were on the piece really helped and I finished around 3 hours. It was a loose fit but shaped puzzles tend to be in my experience. I would rather the fun shaped puzzle and pieces than another rectangular puzzle. I think it helps the brand stand out.

[@achild4363]

@@kat1936 wow

[@thepuzzledmandy]

I thought about separating it by the number of nubs too, but I think I started to get lazy toward the end LOL. But I'm sure it would've helped me get through it quicker. You did great timing with it! I really need to try out more non-rectangular puzzles considering you say they do tend to be on the looser side, I find that interesting. I'd be interested to find out which brand would have the better fit 🤔

[@PuzzlesWithBri]

What an interesting puzzle cut. I hope they work to address some of the concerns you mentioned (especially the crumbliness). I’d be curious to see what they’re next puzzle images are

[@thepuzzledmandy]

So far they've been very responsive with my feedback, and have already dropped the price. It's great to see that they are a company that listen to feedback. Makes me even more interested to see what else they'll have in store for us.

[@puzzlepiece9509]

That puzzle reminded me of the Bits & Pieces Cloud Nine Tessellation puzzles. Same type of piece shape. The image was wonderful, a pity that it was a bit blurry. A crumbly jigsaw is something of a nuisance as you have to keep putting pieces back together again. I never bother with pick ups. If it goes wrong you could have pieces flying everywhere. I've nearly finished doing Cobble Hill's Doodlecats, thoroughly enjoying it. Worlds starts soon so I shall be glued to my computer watching it. Look forward to your next video.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Ooo Bits&Pieces has shapes like this too! I'm gonna have to look into that. That Doodlecats puzzles is soo darn cute! Last time I tried to watch Worlds, I was a bundle of nerves. I don't know why, it wasn't like I was the one speed puzzling 😅 I guess I was just nervous for everyone. I'm gonna do my best to watch what I can this year. Who know, maybe one year I'll join (mostly likely not 🤣)

[@jeancarroccino8574]

That was a. Beautiful puzzle and agree with your review on it. Maybe in time they will get better from your and other reviews. Very pretty scene though. Can't wait for your next review especially your 3K challenge. Interesting. 🎉 Take care and congrats on promotion

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Thank you 🤗 So far, the company has already reached out to me saying that they've reduced the price, which I think is fantastic. Shows that they are willing to listen to feedback and change things. I'm very interested to see what else they have in store. As for my 3k challenge, I've seriously gots to finish my Pomegranates soon. I can't wait to get started on that 3k, I think 😅

[@sstevenson9181]

Pomegranate has also got new puzzles with this sort of shape e.g Erin E. Hunter: Floral Compass 500-Piece Circular Jigsaw Puzzle

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Oh my goodness, that's a beautiful puzzle! But wow, those flowers look like they'll be challenging to piece together.

[@aphetrerryac3603]

I think this puzzle is awesome! - I just watched The Bibliophile Puzzler (Robin) complete this jigsaw puzzle, yesterday. - She provided a link and I ordered it immediately -- before the video even ended - lol - I am, currently, working on another puzzle, but I cannot wait to start it. - Thank you for providing your take and experience on the puzzle, also😊 - greatly appreciated. *EDIT* - the price had dropped to to $15.99

[@TheBibliophilePuzzler]

Thank you so much for mentioning that you watched my video and I’m super happy that you ordered the puzzle. With my experience and Mandy’s experience, and others, it helps to know what to look for when you begin your experience with this puzzle from Zaracraft.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

It really is beautiful. And yes, they reached out to me saying the decreased the price after watching the video. It's nice to see a company listen to feedback. Makes me super interested to see what else they have planned for future puzzles.

[@melissamayo3158]

Mandy I'd love for you to try a pomegranate circular puzzle it has the same pieces and see what you think

[@thepuzzledmandy]

I'm actually working on my very first Pomegranates right now 😊 I didn't know they made circular puzzles too. I'm going to have to look into it after I finish these up.

[@rayhathaway7831]

Mandy thanks for the good honest review. It has a very interesting piece shape but as you said a crumbly fit. I am not bothered about pick-up tests but moving things about that are falling apart is a big turn off for me. I am afraid it is not one for me

[@thepuzzledmandy]

You're very welcome. Yea, crumbliness is a pet peeve of mine. I'm still trying to figure out what makes a puzzle crumbly. The tabs on these pieces were fairly thin, but I've come across other puzzles with thicker tabs that still crumbled. 🤷‍♀️

[@beth7467]

They've dropped the price (temporarily?) to $15.99. With currency conversion and shipping to Canada, though, it's still too rich for my blood. Beautiful image -- looks like it may be beyond my current puzzling skills. Thanks for reviewing this -- looking forward to seeing what they do next.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Yes, I believe the price drop is permanent as they've reached out to me about it after they watched the video. That's great because that means they are willing to take feedback and make improvements. Makes me very interested to see what they got coming next.

[@susanhaertel294]

Where can I get their puzzles?

[@thepuzzledmandy]

@@susanhaertel294 You can find them on Amazon. Link is in the video description.

[@Earlylarkspur]

Thank you, Mandy, for another very interesting video. I have never heard of this company before. I'm fascinated by their piece shapes and that mosaic effect, although false fits and crumbliness are big turn-offs for me. It's a beautiful image, but in the end, I think it would not be for me. It's a bit too pyschedelic. I lean towards peaceful, serene scenes with more restful colors. I look forward to seeing the other images they come out with. Thanks again and see you in the next one.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

You are so welcome! I also steer towards more peaceful looking images, so this was a bit out of my comfort zone because of the mosaic look. But still very pretty, and besides, I love puzzling scenes with my houses in the background.🤭

[@Earlylarkspur]

@@thepuzzledmandy Was that your house too? I know you mentioned it, but I thought maybe you were mistaken. The lights weren't on. 😀

[@thepuzzledmandy]

@@Earlylarkspur Of course it's my house! My husband was probably the last person out of the house, so he must of turned them off. Or I may have forgotten to pay the light bill. Too many houses to keep track of 🤭

[@Earlylarkspur]

😊@@thepuzzledmandy

[@achild4363]

I love watch you puzzle I never did that brand before

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Thanks! You should check them out if you're looking for an interesting challenge.

[@Sallyandhobbies]

Love your videos! Can you please share your puzzle table and sorting puzzle trays that you use?

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Thank you! The puzzle trays I believe were from Ravensburger and where a gift to me a few years ago. Not sure if they have the same exact ones anymore, but I do know they have a number of different options now, even Mickey Mouse shaped ones. As for the puzzle table, it's actually two tables set up as one. The bottom ones with long legs is from Vevor, which I did a review video for awhile back so the link will be in that video. The one that's laid on top is not actually produced anymore, but was from the brand La Vie Vert.

[@Sallyandhobbies]

@@thepuzzledmandy thank you for your thorough response. Do you know what is the size/ dimensions of the top table or how many pieces is it made for? I noticed that you have plenty of room around your 1000 pieces puzzles when you do them ❤️

[@thepuzzledmandy]

@@Sallyandhobbies Usable puzzle space is about 35.5in x 26 in, and it's made for up to 1500 count puzzles.

[@alanmittan4651]

I don't mind if a puzzle fails the pick-up test but can't stand them being crumbly while I am working on them. I could tell when you were first fitting a large, completed section to the border and pieces would not fit without some disassembly it was the crumbly type. So, this would not be a brand for me for sure at full price. If I found it at a thrift store, maybe, maybe not. Thanks for your review. New to your channel so looking forward to seeing some of your other puzzles.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

You're very welcome, and thank you for joining! Yea, it was a bit frustrating having to disassemble it every time I had to connect it to the rest of the puzzle. Crumbliness is a big nuisance, but I did enjoy the image and the overall challenge. It was certainly an interesting experience, but I can see how it's not for everyone.

[@VirginiaGreco_Scrapbooking]

Hi Mandy, I just discovered your channel and I am loving it! Thank you for sharing. I would like to ask you a couple of technical questions about your videos. How do you record the parts of you assembling the puzzle? Dp you keep the camera on all the time you are working on it? How much data do you end up with? Do you use a videocamera or a phone? Thanks!

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Hello 😁 Yes the camera is on the entire time I'm working on my puzzles. I do end up with lots of data, lots of gigabytes. Once I complete a video, I transfer the whole folder to an external drive so that I don't load up my computer. Gonna have to do a clean up of older files soon though so that my external drive doesn't fill up. I now mostly use a Sony video camera for my home puzzling videos, but when I'm out shopping I use my iPhone. But before I got my video camera, I only used my iPhone and a 1080p webcam.

[@VirginiaGreco_Scrapbooking]

@@thepuzzledmandy Hi Mandy thank you very much for your reply!. I really appreciate your videos and... your irony. :D I think I will join your Discord community (although I am new to Discord, so I will need to figure it out).

[@NinaW1n]

The image is beautiful but since there is no artist mentioned on the box I think it is AI generated? That would be a reason for me not to buy it, plus the very loose fit. The piece shapes look fun to try!

[@thepuzzledmandy]

I think you're right about it being AI generated. I never thought of that before. In the end, the pieces were fun and made for a very interesting challenge.

[@eugeniafantazerka]

The picture looks very Stable Diffusion to me 👽

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Could be, I didn't think of that. 🤔

[@randee719]

Of all the crazy coincidences, @Bibliophilepuzzler did this same puzzle the other day. She just shot it coming together, no commentary. It is a beautiful puzzle, pity that the pieces were so crumbly.

[@MsErstwhile]

She had lots of commentary. Did she do 2 videos on this, I wonder? She shared lots of helpful hints/tips after she struggled with a few things. I ended up ordering to gift it to my husband He loves challenges.

[@randee719]

@@MsErstwhile She did make two videos. The one I watched last night was a time lapse without commentary. Right after I made my comment here, I saw there was another video where she goes through it in detail. It is a beautiful puzzle; I’m sure your husband will love it!!

[@thepuzzledmandy]

I'm hoping they work on improving the overall fit and hold. But other than that, it was a very good challenge. And of course, that image is fantastic 🤩

[@thepuzzledmandy]

I'm sure your husband will very much enjoy it!

[@TheBibliophilePuzzler]

So glad you found my other video. I decided to put up a Short along with the full, extended review of the puzzle.

[@erniesulovic4734]

What a huge puzzle. You weren't wrong when you said it takes up your whole table. Not my type of jigsaw though. I think had it had only one sun, maybe yet the multiple suns make it feel like I'd be on drugs or something. Glad you gave your honest review re the loose piece fit, so as a result, I won't be getting it, tho as mentioned, not really my kind of puzzle pic. I prefer nature ones from a photo or mystical/magical type/fantasy type....similar to the Disney kind. This was a tad much too out there, for me

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Even though I really love this kind of scenery, the stained glass/mosaic look really isn't something I'd typically go for. But I'm really glad I tried it. Definitely gave it that little extra challenge.

[@erniesulovic4734]

@@thepuzzledmandy Yeah i saw you struggling in putting it together. If you prefer, i'm more than happy for you to do my dishes lol I'm good with all other housework....

[@bettyc.6280]

Can you also switch from inches to mm from your caliper for piece thickness on every video? Check out Pomegranate's round puzzles with those piece shapes...much better than that crumbly one!!!

[@thepuzzledmandy]

I can definitely switch from inches to mm, or better yet, show both! I seriously need to check out Pomegranates round puzzles. I'm currently working on three of their rectangular ones now for the next video.

[@bettyc.6280]

@@thepuzzledmandy Yes, that's what I meant..."also switch" . I can't wait to see your Pomegranate comparison!!! I have built 4 of theirs, not that it's my fave brand, it's not! I just happened to run into several interesting images. Their puzzles can surprise you...the ones that you think are hard are not so much, and vice versa. I have built 2 Charley Harper's (Beguiled by the Wild & Hawk Mtn), The Tamer and Dragon of the Yangtze.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

@@bettyc.6280 After completing two of my three puzzles so far for this next video, I can see what you mean regarding not being as hard as you expect.

[@puzzlesbypam2442]

It’s very pretty but my pet peeves are crumbly and false fits!

[@thepuzzledmandy]

I know, me too. But I'm really looking forward to seeing what this company has coming since they've already reached out to me saying they're planning to work on improvements since the video. It's great to see a company willing to listen to others feedback.

[@puzzlesbypam2442]

@@thepuzzledmandy That is awesome!

[@Lyntintin1]

I'm not sure I woul dfinish that puzzle. The picture is GORGEOUS!!!! The pieces are cool. But when I cant carry two pieces, let alone a small section over to where it belongs, I usually stop. Add in a blurry image, I'm done. Too many other puzzle brands to work on of a higher caliber. Big reason I dont do Educa. You cannot move sections without it falling apart.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

It tough when your pieces won't hold together. I've never tried Educa, but I hear the crumbliness is a real pain with it. I'm still going to have to check it out at some point just to see how bad it is 😅

[@kathylynn1375]

The puzzle was as advertised. A challenge!!!.it is beautiful and something different....I do not care about a pick up challenge...no I have not heard of them...don't think it is my cup of tea but others may.and yes see you in the next one

[@thepuzzledmandy]

It sure was a challenge, but enjoyable in the end. It's always a little nerve wrecking when you get started with a new challenge, but it always feels so good when you get to the end 😊 See you in the next one!

[@mikatu]

If you were so tired why did you do the review in the first place? This was a bad review IMO. The puzzle looks amazing and deserved a real review and not just a ramble about how tired you were.

[@thepuzzledmandy]

This comment intrigued me to a point where I had to rewatch the video again, and heard myself mention it twice. The time it takes me to puzzle/film/edit is at about two weeks per video. So yea! It is possible for someone to have a day or two where they feel tired during that time frame, and still want or have to get stuff done. Besides, I always ramble about my overall experience completing a puzzle, positive or negative, along with sharing my opinion/review😂 That's what my channel is all about.

[@achild4363]

Hello Mandy glad to see you dear

[@thepuzzledmandy]

Hey there! 😁

[@achild4363]

@@thepuzzledmandy hey 👋 sweetheart continue puzzling .