Mintyfizz Puzzles

What is your name?

Kelly Poff Wesley

Where do you live?

Olympia Washington

How did you start your puzzle journey?

I have been puzzling pretty much since I was a toddler but I didn’t get serious about it until I was about 8-9. That is when I found my first 1000 piece puzzle in my parents house. I had never seen a puzzle with so many pieces before and I was curious if I could actually do it. It was an incredible feeling of accomplishment when I finished. After that, the collection of puzzles grew and grew.

Do you have a favourite piece count?

I don’t have a favorite as it depends on the puzzle or my mood. But I suppose I like 1000+ generally speaking. I like a high piece counts a lot.

What is your preferred piece cut? Random or ribbon & why?

Ribbon cut is what I most gravitate towards. I find them easier and more straight forward. However in recent years I’m finding myself loving random cut more and more. I suppose it depends on the puzzle.

What is your favourite TW puzzle?

I will have to say Citrus Burst, as it was the first one I spoke with Tania about. It’s fresh and vibrant. I do like fruit puzzles.

If you could meet anyone in the puzzle community who would that be and why?

I can’t answer this one as there are too many people to choose from. Some in other countries as well. There are owners of other brands I’d like to meet too. If I’m your friend on Instagram, I want to meet you!

What else do you enjoy other than puzzling?

Being in nature, photography, art and playing with my kids.

What is your puzzling strategy… for example do you do border first, are you a sorter?

Oh this very much depends on the puzzle. Some puzzles you might want to start with the edge and others that should be saved for the end. I usually start with the brighter or easier sections. It makes the puzzle easier and more enjoyable.

Do you have any tips for challenging puzzles?

First off, just know that it’s ok for a puzzle to take a while. This isn’t a race. I tell myself just one piece at a time and it will be complete eventually. If there are any areas that are easier than others, do those first. Just relax, and let it take time. Listen to a good book or music. Take breaks and do other puzzles in between. You can sort by piece shape if there are large areas of one color. I rarely ever do this, but when the puzzle is extremely difficult, it can help. It will get done if you give yourself the time it takes.

Do you have a favourite puzzle theme?

I like art or illustration puzzles with bright colors. However, I like many types of puzzles.

What’s your favourite type of puzzle, eg wooden, rectangular, circular?

I can’t really answer this one either because I pick mostly on image and quality. If I had to pick, wood puzzles would be my first choice if it was a high quality wood puzzle. Rectangular puzzles are more fun for me than circular puzzles as a whole.

How many puzzles in your collection?

A rough guess would be about 200.

How many puzzles in your to do pile?

I’m pretty good about keeping up with my to-do pile. I think I have between 10-20 that I have yet to get to, and that’s the highest my to-do pile has ever been.

Did you know that Kelly has her own incredible range of puzzles, head over to MintyFizz and check them out!