For many, completing a jigsaw puzzle is a relaxing and enjoyable pastime. But once the final piece is in place, one might wonder, “What can you do with a finished jigsaw puzzle?”
There are several creative and practical options for utilizing completed puzzles, ranging from preservation and display to repurposing or donating them.
In this article, those various possibilities will be explored, providing valuable insight for avid puzzle enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Turning a finished jigsaw puzzle into a piece of art, a functional item, or a cherished keepsake not only extends the enjoyment but also adds a personal touch to the experience.
Read on to discover the numerous ways to make the most out of these intricate and fun creations.
Displaying Your Finished Puzzle
When you finish a jigsaw puzzle, there are many ways to display your accomplishment and turn it into a beautiful addition to your home decor. This section will cover different methods such as framing and hanging on the wall, creating a tabletop centerpiece, and transforming it into artistic wall decor.
Framing and Hanging on the Wall
Framing is a popular and effective way to display your finished puzzle. A puzzle frame not only protects the completed puzzle but also adds an attractive touch to it. To frame your finished puzzle, follow the steps below:
- Select a frame that fits your puzzle dimensions.
- Secure your finished puzzle with puzzle conserver or glue.
- Place the glued puzzle on a sturdy backing such as foam core or cardboard.
- Attach the puzzle to the frame and hang it on the wall.
By framing and hanging your finished puzzle on the wall, you can turn it into an eye-catching decoration and a reminder of the challenge you have completed.
Creating a Tabletop Centerpiece
Another option to showcase your finished puzzle is by transforming it into a unique tabletop centerpiece. This approach allows you to use your puzzle as a conversation starter at social events or simply enjoy it during everyday activities. To create a tabletop centerpiece, you can:
- Glue the finished puzzle to a thin, lightweight wooden board or plastic sheet.
- Cut the board or sheet to fit the dimensions of the puzzle, leaving a small border around the edge for visual appeal.
- Place the puzzle on a decorative or functional stand and position it at the center of your table.
Creating a tabletop centerpiece with your finished puzzle is a creative and crafty way to incorporate the memory of your accomplishment into your daily life.
Transforming into Artistic Wall Decor
If you’re looking to make a bold statement with your finished puzzle, consider turning it into a piece of artistic wall decor. There are numerous possibilities for this approach, such as:
- Assembling a collage of multiple finished puzzles to create a larger wall art piece.
- Using the puzzle as the background for a shadow box, incorporating related items or memorabilia to enhance its visual appeal.
- Converting the puzzle into a three-dimensional art installation by cutting individual pieces out and using adhesive foam to give them depth on the wall.
With a little imagination and some crafty techniques, you can transform your finished puzzle into an eye-catching piece of wall art, expanding its decorative potential and impressing viewers with your creativity.
Preserving and Protecting Your Puzzle
After completing a jigsaw puzzle, it’s natural to want to preserve and protect the finished product to showcase your accomplishment. There are several methods to ensure your puzzle remains intact, each with its unique advantages. This section will discuss three popular techniques: using puzzle glue and foam board, applying spray adhesive and cardboard, and utilizing magnetic puzzle preservation.
Using Puzzle Glue and Foam Board
One common method for preserving a finished jigsaw puzzle is applying puzzle glue and mounting the puzzle onto a foam board. To achieve this, you will need the following materials:
- Puzzle glue
- Foam board
- A brush or sponge
- A craft knife
Start by applying puzzle glue evenly to the front of your puzzle using a brush or sponge. Allow it to dry before carefully flipping the puzzle over to glue the back. Once both sides are dry, use a craft knife to cut the foam board to the same size as your puzzle. Gently press the glued puzzle onto the prepared foam board. The benefit of this technique is that it provides a lightweight, sturdy backing for your puzzle, allowing it to be easily hung or displayed.
Applying Spray Adhesive and Cardboard
If you prefer using spray adhesive and cardboard, this method is straightforward and relatively inexpensive. You will need:
- Spray adhesive
- Cardboard
- A drop cloth or newspaper
- A knife or scissors
Begin by placing your puzzle on a drop cloth or newspaper to protect your work surface. Cut a piece of cardboard to match the dimensions of your finished puzzle. Apply the spray adhesive evenly to the back of your puzzle, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Immediately press the puzzle onto the cardboard, ensuring there are no air bubbles or loose pieces. The advantages of this approach include being budget-friendly and having a quick application process.
Magnetic Puzzle Preservation Technique
An alternative and less common approach to preserving your finished puzzle is the magnetic puzzle preservation technique. This method involves the following materials:
- Adhesive magnetic sheets
- A craft knife or scissors
To utilize this technique, cut adhesive magnetic sheets to fit the size of your puzzle pieces. Peel off the backing and carefully adhere the magnetic sheets to the back of each puzzle piece. Once complete, your puzzle can be displayed on any magnetic surface, such as a fridge or magnetic board. This method offers the unique advantage of being easily removable and repositionable, without damaging your puzzle or the display surface.
Each of these preservation techniques offers a distinct way to showcase your finished jigsaw puzzle. Consider the pros and cons of each method and choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences for displaying your accomplishment.
Sharing and Connecting with Others
One of the most rewarding aspects of finishing a jigsaw puzzle is sharing it with others. Connecting with friends, family, and fellow puzzle enthusiasts can be an enjoyable and gratifying experience.
Gifting to Friends and Family
A completed puzzle can make a thoughtful and unique gift for loved ones. It can serve as a symbol of the time and effort invested in creating it. Additionally, a finished puzzle can help alleviate stress and provide a relaxing escape from everyday life. To create a memorable present, consider framing the puzzle and including a personalized message.
Donating to Charities and Organizations
Sharing your completed puzzle with different organizations and charities can greatly impact the lives of those in need. Many non-profit organizations, such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries, and prisons, appreciate donations of finished puzzles. These puzzles can serve as essential entertainment and therapeutic tools for those in challenging situations.
Competing with Puzzle Lovers on Social Media
Sharing your finished puzzles on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram allows you to connect with fellow puzzle enthusiasts from around the world. These platforms provide a space to celebrate accomplishments, exchange tips and tricks, and even engage in friendly competitions. Many puzzle lovers enjoy challenging each other to complete new puzzles with monetary rewards and a sense of camaraderie at stake.
Expanding your network of puzzle enthusiasts promotes the exchange of ideas, encouraging you to explore new puzzles and refine your skills. By sharing your finished puzzles and engaging with others, the joy of jigsaw puzzles can be spread far and wide, fostering a sense of connection and community.
Creating New Puzzle-Related Crafts
Finished jigsaw puzzles can be transformed into a variety of new and exciting crafts. This not only adds a personal touch to your decorations, but also allows you to spend quality time exploring your creative side. The following sub-sections delve into specific crafts you can experiment with once your puzzle is complete.
Exploring Puzzle Craft Ideas on Pinterest
To find inspiration for your puzzle-related crafts, look no further than Pinterest. This platform is a treasure trove of ideas, with countless users sharing their innovative creations. Simply search for ‘puzzle crafts’ and you’ll be inundated with a wide range of projects that cater to different skill levels and interests. From using puzzle pieces as picture frames to decorating your walls with unique designs, the possibilities are endless.
Making a Puzzle Photo Album
A puzzle photo album is an excellent way to preserve cherished memories while showcasing your completed puzzle. To create one, follow these steps:
- Select a sturdy material for the base, such as cardboard.
- Cut the base into the desired size and shape, adjusting it to accommodate your puzzle.
- Glue the puzzle onto the base, ensuring all pieces fit snugly.
- Add a protective layer of sealant, like mod podge, to the puzzle’s surface for durability.
- Mount photos alongside the puzzle, using puzzle pieces as distinctive photo corners or decorative embellishments.
This unique photo album serves as both an exercise in creativity and a way to relive treasured memories.
Repurposing Puzzle Pieces for Art Projects
If you have spare or damaged puzzle pieces, repurpose them for art projects. One such idea is to create a relief painting. Begin by painting the individual pieces in various shades of a single color, then glue them onto a canvas or wood panel in a pattern that forms a larger image. The varying shades and depth of the puzzle pieces will create a visually stunning relief that serves as an eye-catching wall decoration.
Another option is to create a mosaic or collage with the pieces. You can experiment with different arrangements and combinations, allowing your imagination to run wild. No matter the project, repurposing your puzzle pieces not only adds a personal flair to your crafts but also gives new life to your completed jigsaw puzzles.
Selling Your Completed Puzzles
Once a jigsaw puzzle enthusiast has completed a puzzle, they might wonder what to do with their masterpiece. Selling completed puzzles can be a fulfilling way to make some money from their efforts and expand their collection. This section will discuss finding a marketplace for puzzle sales and promoting the collection on social media.
Finding a Marketplace for Puzzle Sales
There are various platforms where one can sell their completed puzzles. Online marketplaces such as eBay, Etsy, and Amazon are popular choices for selling unique crafts, making them suitable for puzzle sales. These platforms allow sellers to reach a global audience and provide a secure payment system. Additionally, local craft fairs and consignment shops can serve as an outlet for selling puzzles to collectors and enthusiasts.
Promoting Your Puzzle Collection on Social Media
Another way to reach potential buyers is through social media platforms. Creating accounts dedicated to their puzzle collection on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter can help showcase their completed puzzles and attract a following. To promote puzzles effectively on social media, they should consider:
- Posting high-quality images of their completed puzzles.
- Using hashtags specific to the puzzle niche and including popular ones like #jigsawpuzzle and #puzzlecollector.
- Engaging with fellow puzzle enthusiasts and collectors by joining online communities and participating in puzzle-related events.
Maintaining an active presence on social media and sharing their passion for puzzles can help them gain visibility and interest from potential buyers. As they become known within the puzzle community, the opportunity to sell their collection will likely increase, providing additional funds for purchasing new puzzles and further expanding their collection.
Starting A New Puzzle Challenge
While it may feel satisfying to complete a jigsaw puzzle, sometimes the best thing you can do is to start a new challenge. Here are a few ways you can recycle, gift, or donate your completed puzzle so you can move on to the next one:
Recycling Your Completed Puzzle
If you’ve enjoyed working on your puzzle but don’t necessarily want to keep the finished piece, consider recycling it. You might dismantle the completed puzzle into smaller sections and reassemble them to create new designs, or even use the pieces in a different puzzle layout. This process not only helps the environment by recycling but also keeps your brain engaged and dopamine levels up as you continue exploring new challenges.
Gifting or Donating Your Puzzle
Another option is to pass along the joy of the puzzle-solving experience to someone else by gifting or donating your puzzle. Family members or friends might appreciate the opportunity to tackle a puzzle that you’ve finished, especially if it holds sentimental value for both you and the recipient. Donating completed puzzles to local schools, libraries, or community centers can also be a meaningful way to share the enjoyment of this pastime with others.
Experiencing the Joy of a New Puzzle
Once you’ve decided what to do with your finished puzzle, it’s time to start again with a new one. The excitement of picking out a fresh design, sorting the pieces, and diving into the process can be quite thrilling. The anticipation of discovering new patterns and images is a great way to maintain your engagement and motivation throughout the puzzle-solving journey, so keep an open mind and embrace the challenge!
Key Takeaways
Completing a jigsaw puzzle offers a sense of accomplishment, but the finished product isn’t just something to be disassembled and forgotten. There are various creative and practical ways to make use of a finished puzzle.
For those who wish to appreciate the beauty of the image, framing and displaying the puzzle as artwork is a popular option. Simply gluing the pieces in place and placing it in a frame provides a unique and personal piece of decor.
Another fascinating idea is converting the puzzle into functional items, such as coasters or a serving tray. By attaching puzzle pieces to a durable base and sealing them with a protective layer, the finished product becomes a conversation-starting accessory in the home.
For those who enjoy a bit of friendly competition, hosting a puzzle exchange with friends or family allows everyone to trade puzzles and experience a whole new challenge. Similarly, donating complete puzzles to local schools, libraries, or community centers spreads the joy of jigsaw puzzles within the community.
Lastly, using the finished puzzle as a learning tool, particularly for children or students, is a creative and interactive way to teach lessons or reinforce concepts. The engaging nature of puzzles can make education more enjoyable and memorable.
Ultimately, the possibilities for what can be done with a finished puzzle are limited only by one’s imagination. The joy and satisfaction experienced while piecing together a jigsaw puzzle can be extended and shared in numerous ways, creating lasting memories and fostering connection with others.
