Altered Puzzle for my Friend

[teapotdnky]

I made this puzzle for a friend of mine who is coming to visit in a few weeks. Each piece represents one or both of us and is full of inside jokes and references. I got a Finding Nemo puzzle at the dollar store and used all kinds of things to decorate it.





We were in band together and I gave him a dutch oven that looks like this one for Christmas.


South Texas, margaritas, food, wine and little origami shrimp


I trained as a pastry chef and he was my guinea pig for a long time.


Just cutesy dessert stuff


The Nemo piece says Obey the Nub, lucky fin, chicken wing and wing sauce to represent my 3 legged weiner dog that he adores, the shell is because he grew up on the coast and the pencil jewelry is because he likes arty photos.


The cards, clay references and swirlies represent me


He's a silversmith and metals genius. I tinker with jewelry and have taken silver smithing classes.




This one's my fave


He's gay and a little squeamish about nude women so of course I had to add a little pin up action for him. Not gross, but he'll still laugh.
I love the muscley man!!


I play the oboe so she made it on here. I took the dude off a romance novel and the pastie totally cracks me up.


Tell me what you think!

I think he liked it!

To all wondering... I am completely gob smacked and I'm at a loss for words. I had no idea you were making this, and I AM SO HONORED. Despite all my training and the amazing artists I've met, Teapot, you are by far the most creative and industrious person I have ever met. This gift is beyond amazing. I only hope that one day I will be able to give you a gift as wonderful as this... and I still owe you for your amazing Muppet box.

PS: if this isn't for me I'm really embarrassed, but how many gay silversmiths, who grew up on the coast, who loves your 3 three legged wiener dog, and that you gave a cast iron enamel pot to for Christmas can you know?
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[alwaysinmyroom]

You and your friend have led very interesting lives!!  How fun to depict some of it in the form of this fabulous puzzle!!

Be sure to take lots of pics as they are your memories as well...

Beautiful job, teapot!

Those paper shrimp are wonderful and the man pastie cracks me up, too!!

[PinkMafia]

I love it teapot!!! i'm such a fan of your work, you are so talented. 

[najaorama]

I love this idea and that it's so personal. She will love it I am sure. Amazing job.

[KelseyLauren]

What a great idea!

This is so beautifully done and creative!

[Phizzychick]

It's wonderful! So many great memories, he will love it for sure!

[teapotdnky]

Thank you! I wasn't sure if it was any good after I made it because I have been staring at it for a while. I feel great now! 

[Stifflersmom]

Totally fabulous!!!!!

If I received that I would be so thrilled!

[teapotdnky]

Obviously, coming from you that makes me feel giddy with joy! 

[ally-oops]

Loverly!  The pieces all look very meaning-filled 

[aercraft]

Wow - there's a lot of thought gone into this - and it looks fantastic!  Love the shrimps!

[mingus107]

Completely AMAZING! So personal and not just "decorated". What an unbelievable gift! He's a lucky guys! THIS ROCKS!

[jcorn]

What a wonderful and loving gift!  He is a lucky guy to have a friend who would put so much heart into a project for him.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the shrimp - how hard are they to do? I have never seen a pattern for shrimp origami before and I'm gettin' ideas. . .

[teapotdnky]

*squeal* thank you all so much! I'm excited to see what he thinks of it!

The shrimps are super easy to do. The first one seems challenging, but these are soooo easy to make! The tiny ones were just as easy as using a whole sheet of origami paper.
http://video.about.com/familycrafts/Make-an-Origami-Shrimp.htm

[arielthemermaid]

That is so creative....and well, totally awesome! I would have never have thought of it in a million years. Sometimes words just don't seem to express the true feeling of looking at a piece of art for the 1st time. This is it. I'm in awe...... and I am so jealous of your friend. He will be just slack-jawed for this once-in-a-lifetime gift. Want one of my own. (Can we be friends, too?  ) Wisting this!

[teapotdnky]

I totally felt that way the first time I saw one! This one is mine now (squeal) and it inspired me so much. Now I'm doing one just out of polymer clay!

[cknights]

You did a great job with every piece. I don't think I could pick a favorite! I hope your friend likes/liked it!!

[teapotdnky]

I can't either, but I love the one with the chain and the tiny silverware! lol

[WinnekMetal]

To all wondering... I am completely gob smacked and I'm at a loss for words. I had no idea you were making this, and I AM SO HONORED. Despite all my training and the amazing artists I've met, Teapot, you are by far the most creative and industrious person I have ever met. This gift is beyond amazing. I only hope that one day I will be able to give you a gift as wonderful as this... and I still owe you for your amazing Muppet box.

PS: if this isn't for me I'm really embarrassed, but how many gay silversmiths, who grew up on the coast, who loves your 3 three legged wiener dog, and that you gave a cast iron enamel pot to for Christmas can you know?

[teapotdnky]

Yeah, I thought you'd figure it out.   

[crendon]

I love this. I love that he loved it. And I LOOOOVED the pastie. made me giggle.

[teapotdnky]

The pastie makes me lol whenever I look at it. 

[SimplyFabulous!]

Wow, I love it!  I really love the little shrimp, but it all is wonderful. 

[attackofthequacks]

This is fabulous! It's such a wonderful way to remember all the awesome things that you've done!
And I love the man pastie 

[teapotdnky]

Now I want to make one for all my friends! It was soo much fun, and easy to personalize.

[lovesclutter]

That is great. The calligraphy is beautiful.

[Juliana13]

this is such a cool idea! i think your fav is mine too but i love the pastie, i hope he likes it 

[Lizzoo]

this is so cool! does it take long too decorate? it must have been hard to personalize each piece, no? 

[teapotdnky]

It took several days to finish it, but I don't know how many hours. I picked an easy puzzle since it was my first. I could have personalized a puzzle with twice as many pieces since we've been friends for 10 years. 

[sheepBlue]

Awesome!! I don't know how I missed this post before  Loving the shrimp!! And your idea to do another one in polyclay!! I might have to take a page out of your book now haha.

[teapotdnky]

I'm sooo excited that you approve!

[Samantha.Arch]

The pastie and shrimp made my month. 

Such a beautiful job I'm glad he loved it.

[teapotdnky]

That's great to hear! 

[wonderwoman1976]

i love this because i just bought a kid's paint it yourself puzzle, where you paint the image on blank puzzle pieces...
so now, I have inspiration! Great job.

[wonderwoman1976]

*gasp*
and i love that you're a pastry chef! That was my dream till i discovered art and realized i couldn't pay for schooling. LOL.

[teapotdnky]

I didn't pay a single cent for my schooling. I applied for fafsa and every grant possible.  I averaged $3000 per semester in grants.

[wonderwoman1976]

holy moly! Did you go to a regular 4 year school? The schools here in NYC are super expensive, and offer few grants, if any.

[teapotdnky]

Yeah, a regular accredited 4 year program with excellent training! It helps that I'm female, 1/2 Pueblo Indian, mexican, play an instrument, owned a car, worked 3 jobs, got good grades.... Check every box that applies!! I totally sound like a commercial, but hey, it worked for me.   

[mepresents]

aww*so sweet*and amazing to look at as separate pieces/pieced together!<3

[Tsuki_Tsubasa]

That's soooo freaking cool!! I'ma totally have to borrow this idea for my sisters birthday that's coming up. <3


Ooooh! You're Ace??? Me too! X3
*If you're not Ace just ignore my ramblings. P:

[teapotdnky]

Ace's got nothing on me, since I do more than just deliver them.   

I'm making these puzzles for everyone now!! 

[craftycupid]

That is so cool! Will take a closer look at it later, the pics are really good too!

[teapotdnky]

Thank you! *blush*

[mrogers1]

This is so awesome! I would love to get something like this from a friend. I love how you personalized it and made it more 3-D by embellishing them. Absolutely awesome!

[SonjaBoo]

Gorgeous!!!!

[teapotdnky]

danke!

[mistressofthehook]

teapotdnky you are my hero! I absolutely love this!

Thank you for sharing.....
Denise

[teapotdnky]

Thank you very much!