Links

        One of the nice things about puzzles is that they run you into some really interesting and nice people, so we thought it was time to start doing a little "Name Dropping". We've found that other puzzle makers and designers can be a very friendly and helpful group to check in with from time to time even though we're not geographical neighbors. One that we've just met (online) who has some beautiful brass puzzles is Rocky Chiaro in Pueblo, CO http://brasspuzzlesbyrocky.com .

    Even further from where we live are Karen and Robin Washbourne of Puzzling Puzzles in Queensland, Australia, with whom we spent a delightful day some years back re-discovering that distances don't mean that we can't have a lot in common. They make some dandies. A classic puzzle that we get asked about are the two interlocked nails. Robin and Karen like them so much that they've improved on the theme. How's about three interlocked nails?! ...or four?! www.puzzlingpuzzles.com.au 

    Closer to home the Bay Area has a lot of puzzle people who we haven't been keeping up with as well as we would have liked. Wei Zhang is one of them who is a particularly good reference for math teachers who want to use puzzles in class in a systematic, fun way. Her book "Exploring Math Through Puzzles", by Key Curriculum Press is a book that we recommend to many teachers. Clicking http://www.keypress.com/x6009.xml is a good way to have a look.  Wei's blog, at www.ChinesePuzzles.net is another good connection to Wei and her husband, Peter Rasmussen's work and antique Chinese puzzle collection.