Beffa-Negrini, David

Fool’s Gold

website: www.foolsgoldpuzzles.com

Started in 1997, Fool’s Gold’s mission is to develop and create the finest wooden jigsaw puzzles available. Each puzzle is patiently crafted with a jigsaw blade no wider than a whisker. And because each wooden jigsaw puzzle is cut by hand, no two are ever alike.

About David Beffa-Negrini:

Collecting antique wooden jigsaw puzzles led David Beffa-Negrini to craft his own.
The business grew from Beffa-Negrini’s private collection of pre-1950’s wooden jigsaw puzzles. From these earlier works, he observed that the true test of a great jigsaw puzzle was how satisfying and consuming it was to put the pieces together. Between a finely cut wooden jigsaw puzzle versus the standard cardboard variety of today…well, there’s no comparison.

A customer writes “I didn’t realize how tactilely gratifying they are. And because the shapes are more diverse than in steel-rule cut jigsaws, it can be solved much more by looking for the right shapes, which is fun.”

Puzzle packaging:

True puzzlers’ puzzles – no pictures included.
The woods used are a special blend of 1/4″ solid basswood backed by a beautiful double-thick striped mahogany veneer. Once the puzzle is cut, each piece is carefully hand-oiled, waxed and polished.

Fool’s Gold offers a variety of sizes for most of its puzzles. Our “Nugget Series” are smaller-sized puzzles, typically around 35 or so pieces, with prices starting at only $50. Our classic Fool’s Gold “Gold Standard Series” jigsaw puzzles generally start around $100.
All Fool’s Gold puzzles are packed inside a liquid gold lamé pouch fitted into a beautifully crafted black box. And, as 
with all of the puzzles, no pictures are included. They are true puzzler’s puzzles.

Wooden jigsaw puzzles may be personalized. 
Special tricks can be incorporated.
Custom wooden jigsaw puzzles make perfect gifts any time of the year and for every occasion — holidays, birthdays, reunions, corporate and executive gifts, weddings and anniversaries, graduations, retirements… Each custom puzzle contains our signature “jester” piece. Along with this “fool” one can personalize their order with a variety of specially cut “Foolish Figural” pieces (or whimsies) — a heart, frog, starfish, one’s name, a sailboat… whatever the desire! 

Customers can send in their own artwork or photos, or choose from our gallery of pictures and prints. For the true puzzlers at heart, Fool’s Gold can incorporate a variety of special tricks such as cuts along color lines, irregular edges, drop-outs, silhouettes, false edges, and…well, we won’t share all our secrets!

Order with confidence. 
No Foolin’ Guarantee.
You can order Fool’s Gold puzzles online securely (via Mastercard, Visa, Discover Network, or PayPal) or you can place your requests via email at info@foolsgoldpuzzles.com. We can also be reached at 603-827-9825 or at the following address: Fool’s Gold, PO Box 904, Harrisville, NH 03450. Puzzle orders are usually shipped within 2 to 3 weeks, and shipping (via USPS Priority) within the Continental U.S. is free. Our “No Foolin’ Guarantee” means complete satisfaction or the purchase price will be refunded.

Happy puzzling!

David Beffa-Negrini, AGPC convention 2006, Cambridge - Boston (photo by B. Whitehill)

David Beffa-Negrini
Founding Fool, Beffa-Negrini is a State-Juried Member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. He also president and the Quarterly editor of the Association of Game & Puzzle Collectors.

GENERAL INFORMATION about Fool’s Gold puzzles
Q: How long has Fool’s Gold been offering handcrafted jigsaw puzzles?
A: Fool’s Gold has been offering handcrafted wooden jigsaw puzzles since 1997.

Q: How does a Fool’s Gold puzzle differ from other wooden jigsaw puzzles?
A: We believe Fool’s Gold puzzles are in a class of its own. We use and prefer the look and feel of solid wood for our puzzles (versus a less expensive plywood). Each puzzle is crafted from a special blend of 1/4″ solid basswood, backed with a double-thick layer of beautiful striped mahogany. The end result, a more luxurious appearance!

Fool’s Gold also uses special archival inks and enhanced matte paper to ensure your puzzles will last a long time. These ultra-fine inks are life- and lightfastness rated up
to 200 years by the manufacturer, and provide vivid high-image quality output.

And, you’ll also discover each Fool’s Gold puzzle is truly unique. Every puzzle piece is patiently cut with the finest jigsaw blade available, no wider than a whisker. The jigsaw blade is a mere .007 inch thin! The end result, a fine heirloom-quality jigsaw puzzle you and your family will enjoy today and for generations to come!

Q: Will Fool’s Gold sell or rent my e-mail address information to others?
A: Fool’s Gold does not share, sell or trade e-mail address information with other companies. Our policy is to protect this information and use it for communication purposes only. We are committed to ensuring our customers’ privacy.

PUZZLE INFORMATION
Q: Are Fool’s Gold puzzles suitable for children?
A: It really depends on the child. Fool’s Gold’s youngest customer to date is 3 years old. The puzzle pieces for her project were cut much larger than the typical Fool’s Gold puzzle piece.

We usually cut our puzzle pieces approximately 2 to 3 pieces per square inch, so they
are pretty small are not suitable for very young children. The puzzles also do not come with any finished picture of the puzzle; so they can be difficult to assemble. Lastly,
Fool’s Gold puzzles are priced higher than a typical (cardboard) child’s puzzle, so that
may also be a factor.

Q: Do I get a finished picture with my puzzle?
A: When you order a Fool’s Gold puzzle, you will not receive a finished picture of the puzzle. Why? It’s just our Foolish rule. Our jigsaw puzzles are made to be challenging. They are meant to be true puzzlers’ puzzles.

Q: What is the largest sized puzzle Fool’s Gold can craft?
A: At this point, the largest sized puzzle we can offer is 24″ x 48″.

Q: What are Foolish Figurals?
A: Foolish Figurals are special shaped pieces to add a personal touch or to complement the image of the puzzle. You can personalize a puzzle with your choice of specially cut figure pieces, such as a heart, frog, starfish, your name, a sailboat…whatever you wish!
There is no extra charge for Foolish Figural pieces.

Q: How many Foolish Figurals can be included in a puzzle?
A: We will do our best to accommodate your requests. A typical 8” x 10” Gold Standard puzzle (contains approximately 160 pieces) and will comfortably accommodate around 8 personalized figure pieces. (Figure a 1 in 20 puzzle piece ratio.) Because of their smaller size, our Fool’s Gold Nugget Series puzzles do not include any Foolish Figurals other than our signature “fool.”

Q: I have an image that I would like crafted into a jigsaw puzzle.
How can I send it to you?
A: We can accept images in a variety of ways. Images can be sent via the U.S. mail
to Fool’s Gold, PO Box 904, Harrisville, NH 03450. The image can also be sent via email
to info@foolsgoldpuzzles.com.

Depending on delivery method, acceptable formats include,

1. A photographic negative or slide
2. A photographic print (any size, though larger is better)
3. A transparency (or photographic positive)
4. A digital image (minimum high-resolution 300 dpi .jpg, .tif or .eps file)
(Digital image may be sent via email or on a CD/disk)
5. Non-photographic material, such as original art. Recommend having the art scanned
or picture taken.

Once the puzzle size is determined, the image will then get printed on special paper. There may be a minimal charge for scanning or photographing the image if necessary,
as well as printing larger size images.

Q: Can or will Fool’s Gold modify an image sent?
A: Yes. Fool’s Gold always looks to craft puzzles from the best possible images.

For example, a photograph is sent in featuring a young child sitting on the lawn,
and Aunt Rose’s leg happens to be in the background (adding nothing to the overall scene). Fool’s Gold will “Photoshop out” (essentially remove) that part of the photograph (in this case, Aunt Rose’s leg) which would make the overall image more pleasant.

For more extensive image modifications, like removal of multiple objects, scratches, making a collage, we would need to quote the project based on a time estimate to complete the work.

ORDERING INFORMATION
Q: How much does a custom jigsaw puzzle cost?
A: Custom jigsaw puzzles can be crafted in a variety of sizes. The sample chart below shows some examples of approximate sizes, pieces, and costs for a Fool’s Gold puzzle.
All Fool’s Gold puzzles are packed inside a gold pouch and then fitted into a beautifully crafted custom black box.

You’ll notice puzzles can vary in size; from 4″ x 6″ on up. Puzzles are priced at approximately $1.75 per piece. Typically there are two puzzle pieces cut per square inch.If you are interested in a different size than what’s displayed in the chart above, no problem, we can work out a cost for you.

Q: How long does it take to get a jigsaw puzzle crafted once it’s ordered?
A: It usually takes about one week for a smaller-sized Fool’s Gold “Nugget Series” puzzle. Plan on approximately 2-3 weeks for a larger and/or more complex Fool’s Gold “Gold Standard Series” custom cut jigsaw puzzle.

Q: I would like to have several (25, 50, 100+) puzzles crafted. How much would that cost?
A: For larger quantities, please give us a call to determine timing and pricing.

Q: What methods of payment do you accept?
A: Fool’s Gold accepts personal checks, Money Orders, Cashier’s Checks, Mastercard, Visa, or Discover Network (Discover, Diner’s Club, China Unionpay, and JCB) credit cards. You may pay securely online via credit card or through PayPal®. PayPal accepts a wide variety of credit cards, debit cards, and funds drawn on your bank account.

Q: Will Fool’s Gold send a confirmation email on my puzzle order?
A: If the order comes via email, a confirmation email will be sent assuring you of our receipt of your order. If the puzzle order is a gift, please let us know so we won’t inadvertently send back an email response.

It is Fool’s Gold practice to notify customers (usually via email) as to when their order is shipped. Packages typically arrive within 2 to 3 business days of shipment. Fool’s Gold works diligently to ship your order as soon as it can after placement. Usually orders are fulfilled within 2 weeks. These schedules tend to be extended during the holiday season due to the increase in shipping volume. So please order early!

Q: How can I find out the status of an online order?
A: You can contact Fool’s Gold via telephone at 603-827-9825 (anytime 9 am-9 pm EST),
or email us at info@foolsgoldpuzzles.com. Your puzzle order will be referenced by your name and zip code.

SHIPPING INFORMATION
Q: How much does it cost to have my puzzle order shipped?
A: We offer FREE SHIPPING* on your purchase. Why? It’s just another one of our Foolish rules.

*Fool’s Gold covers the shipping charge for puzzle orders shipped within the Continental U.S. Standard shipping is by USPS Priority (a 2-3 day service) or equivalent. If the customer would like his/her order shipped by an alternative carrier or method, Fool’s Gold reserves the right to charge the customer a shipping cost. Orders going to Alaska, Hawaii, and APO addresses will be shipped by Priority U.S. Mail and billed accordingly.

Q: Does Fool’s Gold ship puzzles overseas?
A: Yes. Puzzle orders to foreign countries will be shipped either by U.S. Mail, usually First Class, or by DHL (formerly Airborne Express). The customer will be charged actual shipping costs. The shipping charge may be noted on a separate order with a separate order number. Fool’s Gold will work at balancing speed and cost in the international shipments.

FINE PRINT INFORMATION
Q: How accurate is the information on this website?
A: Fool’s Gold makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information published on its website. However, mistakes do occur; this website may contain technical inaccuracies or typographical errors. Also, prices and promotions may change without notice.

If an error is made and a product is listed at an incorrect price, Fool’s Gold shall maintain the right to refuse or cancel any orders placed at the incorrect price. If the order has been confirmed and charged to your credit card, Fool’s Gold shall immediately issue a credit in the amount of the incorrect price.

Prices listed in Fool’s Gold catalogs and its website are subject to change without notice.

© 2010 Fool’s Gold. All rights reserved. Fool’s Gold and the jester character(s) are registered trademarks of Fool’s Gold, Harrisville, N.H. All other trademarks remain the property of their respective individuals or companies.

David Beffa-Negrini
dave@foolsgoldpuzzles.com

Puzzle examples:

Fisher Scientific

In this puzzle, the logo of the company was crafted keeping the integrity of the
F within the circle.

Other figure pieces included a double helix, beaker, a microscope, and
a few molecules.

Custom wedding and anniversary puzzles

Trick puzzle (Baffling Butterflies). Object is to make the butterflies and then put them inside a frame (that you have to make also). When you’re doing, or think you’re done, you then have to take the Official Ruler and (following the enclosed instructions) see if you assembled it correctly.

Puzzle train

In this puzzle, the separate puzzle pieces can be taken out of the puzzle and hooked together to form a train (carrying a giraffe, elephant, gorilla, and a chimp.