Akaki's Picnic
$179.00| DESIGNER: | Akaki Kuumeri |
| MATERIAL: | Zebrawood and Maple Basket with pieces made from Jatoba [sandwich], Birch [egg], and Bloodwood [wine] |
| RELEASE DATE: | 4.5.2021 |
| EDITION: | 90 |
| SIZE: | 2.2" x 2.2" x 2.778" (5.5 x 7cm) |
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Akaki's Picnic is a wonderfully creative Packing Puzzle. The goal is to pack each 3x3 cube into the Picnic Basket so that all pieces are flush. Assembling the cubes outside the basket is trivial; the challenge comes when you try to fill the container. The handle of the basket blocks your progress, causing you to analyze the situation and think outside the box. Akaki named the cubes after different foods you might find at a picnic. Each has a unique solution, representing a range of difficulties. We have chosen three of the more challenging cubes for this release. Each cube has four pieces and requires rotations:
Akaki also 3D prints this puzzle, and we collaborated so that the pieces interchange with our release. Collectors can order individual cubes from his Etsy Shop and solve them using our wood basket. Akaki's Picnic release was made using labor-intensive joinery techniques and some of our finest exotic wood stock. The basket is solid Zebrawood with a beautiful striped figure reminiscent of a woven picnic basket. The handle is secured to the basket with robust notched joinery, with the top braced with a shoulder joint. The Egg cube uses Figured Birch, Fruit is from dark red Bloodwood, and Sandwich from a dense plank of Jatoba. Approximately 90 copies are available. Each puzzle is signed and dated. Akaki's Picnic ships in an unsolved configuration. Our work is handcrafted to very precise tolerances and must be kept within the range of 40-60% relative humidity at all times. Failure to do so may cause inoperability or permanent damage. Please read the Caring for Wood Puzzles guide to ensure proper fit and operation. We recommend an occasional polishing with Renaissance Wax to keep wood puzzles in top condition. |
Customer Reviews
I have a 3D printer and was familiar with Akaki's designs prior to this release, but the opportunity to have some versions made by Eric and the CD team was too good to pass up. Beautiful work, and this basket is now the one I enjoy using most, even with my own printed pieces! Great collab.
This is a great packing puzzle (or maybe I should say puzzle set, since you actually have 3 different packing puzzles here). The normal high precision woodworking and fitting you expect when you get a puzzle from Eric. The puzzles are not close to easy for me, either! Still working to solve the simplest of the 3. Seems easy enough to make a cubic structure that fits outside the basket, but the challenge comes in sorting through how you maneuver the pieces to pack them in the basket. I’ve managed to work through some interesting rotations and think I may finally have it, only to end up with a final piece that I just can’t get in place - so it’s back to another try...
This puzzle set gives a lot of value for the price, that’s for sure, but I’m finding it’s certainly no picnic. 🙂
While I've only played with it to a small extent so far, I'm loving this basket puzzle - very tricky. I only solved one of the three challenges so far, but I'm looking forward to the other two.
As always, the woodwork is flawless and the choice of woods is beautiful.
I also love that Akaki has many more challenges and prints them in a compatible size. Now I just need a suitable container to put them all in.
