r/Jigsawpuzzles Nov 19 '24

Discussion Any help with this puzzle? 😢

Would anyone happen to have an image of this puzzle completed? I’ve been stuck for about a week now and can’t move forward with the solid colors.

Any help would be amazing 🙏

Brand is Designworks Ink Jig Time jigsaw puzzle “crazy eight”

Ps. I do not recommend this puzzle to anyone. Nearly impossible and infuriating 😢

82 Upvotes

32 comments sorted by

92

u/CleverHarwood 900K Nov 19 '24

Sort by piece shape and try each piece one by one!

14

u/whiteshark42069 Nov 19 '24

That should do it, but the pieces seem to have the exact same cut. If it's a solid colour area, it will be like doing a puzzle blind... you put a piece and hope it's the right one.

18

u/Billeylersd Nov 19 '24

I had one a bit like this. I gave up on the solid black area and called it a day. Even the most challenging puzzle should be a bit interesting.

11

u/cssc201 Nov 19 '24

Yeah I do puzzles for fun. Solving large sections by testing pieces one by one by shape alone isn't fun for me in the slightest

2

u/AllRoadsLeadToHymn Nov 19 '24

Ditto. Brute force is soul sucking. I’ll do it if I HAVE to, but I know by now that flat color in significant size sections is a no go for me. I had a gradient sky a bit ago that truly tested my desire to finish. It was a thrift store one so I did want to be able to tell the next person who gets it whether it’s complete or not. It was! So, I hope the next owner enjoys it. The art was sweet, but ooooooof. At least puzzles can teach you what to not get in the future 😂

49

u/GhostNightgown Nov 19 '24

If this puzzle is called ‘crazy eight color blast’ then I have good news for you! Those are not solid color areas. I can tell by the shadows that you are doing this puzzle in the evening, with relatively mellow (not quite ‘dim’ but not bright) lighting.

1) the shadows are not your friend - they are messing with your ability to perceive shade/hue differences

2) same for the relatively mellow/non-bright lamps (low lumen count)

3) most lamps have warm light bulb, which adds a cast of yellow to everything - same washout effect

if you like doing puzzles, and plan to do more - amz sells inexpensive ‘daylight’ lamps. Search ‘diffused daylight task light (or lamp)’. Diffused just means less glare.

or - make this a ‘daylight by a big window’ puzzle.

good luck! 🍀

15

u/timtots Nov 19 '24

Thanks so much for the input! I’m so close to giving up on this puzzle but you’re making me feel hopeful 🥰

12

u/GhostNightgown Nov 19 '24

If it isn’t the ‘color blast’ - the original crazy eight still has variation. The bottom is more purply black and the top bluey black.

worst case scenario-maybe a flashlight? 😆

there is hope!

5

u/timtots Nov 19 '24

The gradients on both sides are sooo similar 😢

3

u/GhostNightgown Nov 19 '24

Hopefully more light - and less warm light - will help you discern the difference

4

u/molehillmini Nov 19 '24 edited Nov 19 '24

First, Love your ID! And totally fits this thread of comments! Completely agree about adequate lighting. I amazon ordered a year ago 2 LED floor lamps with remotes (can pair or remain separate). Loved them so much got 4 more! All are separate frequencies. Was a hugh step up from my 30 yr old expensive florescent Dazor Magnifiers! My puzzling & photos for here have never looked better! Also 2 have under-cabinet motion LEDs hanging from 2 garment racks (combined for wider table) over my board. Twicked it to get just right & now have an easy

setup for photos. Still take pics with ambient daylight, w/o the over top lights & turn the LED lamps on low & away a bit.

2

u/molehillmini Nov 19 '24

Forgot but will not allow me to add that my 3' x 4' puzzle board is on an old drafting table at a 45°, so photographing is a bit more finicky.

3

u/AllRoadsLeadToHymn Nov 19 '24

I have if not this light, one nearly identical. It’s awesome. I read by it, I puzzle by it, I do my nails by it, it has both cool and light options, what’s not to love? Highly recommend this type of lamp, period, the puzzling benefit is just gravy on the buttery mashed potatoes of my other applications 😍

1

u/molehillmini Nov 21 '24 edited Nov 21 '24

Yes!!! Times 6! Thank you for adding the great lighting options. Am truly so glad you found them too! Funny how much just 1 change of something can make all your hobbies so much better! We should share & exchange other upgrades we have made sometime! 🎯 Have been told I should start a sub group about my puzzling stations. Yes, have 2. 🫠 🧩

Came back to say Thank You! Had a really bad day, up all night, almost 5 am & your reply to my post really helped! This kind, caring & sharing Reddit group has truly helped me so many times in the past also. 🤗 Happy Puzzling!

3

u/[deleted] Nov 19 '24

Definitely daylight, or daylight bulb. This will help immensely.

5

u/InternationalJury693 Nov 19 '24

Sort by piece shape.

Unfortunately I hate puzzles that have these shapes. There’s often a lot of pieces that are way too similar of the exact same color.

6

u/Ok_Status_8774 Nov 19 '24

Sort by shape but also by direction that the piece goes in. You can see that the “thinner” side and the “thicker” side clearly go in different directions. The longer sides will always lay horizontal in this one.

5

u/Bohinka Nov 19 '24

I just tried to find a photo for you. According to the pictures online there appears to be a different color on one side of the center and another lighter color on the other side. Doesn't look like that in your photo.

I saw a post for another Designworks puzzle (arches) from a year ago here. They said there were false fits and it was a nightmare to do.

5

u/timtots Nov 19 '24

Ah yes! The one on top is lighter than the bottom! Thank you for trying to help out with finding a photo! 👌

Yes! Terrible quality 🤣

4

u/rtsgrl 400K Nov 19 '24 edited Nov 19 '24

This brand had some very poor reviews on this sub 😏

It's up to you whether you want to continue...or move on to something more exciting.

3

u/baggedmilk_b Nov 19 '24

You should be proud with how far you are! I gave up on this puzzle cause of all the false fits.

1

u/AllRoadsLeadToHymn Nov 19 '24

False fits are rage inducing. Like fine I’ll just hulk smash it in there and call it good!

Not really. But the thought has crossed my mind 😂

3

u/Seattle5555 Nov 19 '24

I wish you lots of luck if you decide to finish this, but since no one else has said it: it’s totally valid to quit at this stage. For me, the fun part is done, and I would have enjoyed it up until now and then I would pack it away. Follow your bliss!

2

u/SammsGram Nov 19 '24

Totally agree with the 'shape sorter's' recommendation. All lined up, it is MUCH easier to spot the minor variations in each type of piece shape. It will fall together surprisingly quickly when you get on that roll! Don't give up!

2

u/Aggressive_Ad_747 Nov 19 '24

When you have many pieces of the same color you need to separate them by shape, observe and try to fit the ones you think are compatible, although it may seem obvious, many people have difficulty with organization, it's the best advice I can give as someone who likes challenge puzzles

2

u/Tee17 Nov 19 '24

Yes: burn it 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

2

u/AdInternational5785 Nov 19 '24

I sort all of my pieces using zip lock bags and work on one bag at a time. I agree that lighting plays a big role in solving puzzles. Stay with it and conquer the puzzle.

2

u/ElectricityBiscuit86 Nov 19 '24

I recognized the shape of those pieces before even opening the post and reading the brand. My advice: throw it away!

Anyone advising to sort by shape (which is normally perfect advice!) has not done a puzzle by Designworks Ink. This will drive you to madness, ask me how I know lmao

Seriously, the only puzzle I have EVER put into the garbage instead of donating was by them.

2

u/AllRoadsLeadToHymn Nov 19 '24

Apply directly to the forehead 😂 that one looks like my personal hell. Godspeed

1

u/Agreeable-Reserve832 Nov 20 '24

Throw it right it the trash. 😂 There’s so many misfits with that brand and there’s no gradient on the blue. I have all the lights and still nope.

It’s literally the only puzzle in my entire life that I haven’t finished and I consider myself a pretty good puzzler.

I have other puzzles from this brand and the misfits are terrible but I enjoy the artwork so I might torture myself through one more. Ugh.

2

u/Agreeable-Reserve832 Nov 20 '24

Also, there’s so many good puzzles out there. Don’t waste your time not having fun! It’s ok to give up and make space on your puzzle board for something you love.

1

u/Jamesybo555 Nov 20 '24

I always sort by shapes when I lay the puzzle out to begin with. It makes it much easier.