About Puzzle People
Our Team
Jeff
Jeff Duncan, Pat’s son, first cut a puzzle at the young age of 13. Since then, he’s lent his talents to a variety of careers ranging from the US Air Force to Business Analyst. Now, he’s returned to the family redwood grove to run the business! He’s honored to be guiding the next generation of the family business, continuing the tradition of quality, creativity and craftsmanship. ALWAYS hand cut using a scrolls (not a computer!), as well as hand sanded and colored. Jeff has added smart innovations that make the puzzles even better: with more detail or fresh color schemes, allowing him to continue the legacy of crafting puzzles that become family heirlooms.
Michael & Pat
The original Puzzle People themselves! In the early 70’s, Michael was a street artist. It wasn’t long until he was approached by a San Francisco businessman and started Puzzle People. About this time, Pat joined in marriage & business partnership! Thanks to them, kids have been enjoying lovingly handcrafted educational puzzles for over 50 years.
While they have now retired from the official helm, their guidance, support, and creative input is essential to maintaining traditional methods and upholding the standards for an heirloom caliber puzzle.
A Puzzle People Timeline
Puzzle people: the beginning
1972 - 1978
The Puzzle People was started by Michael Smith. One Christmas, Michael made a wooden USA map puzzle for a young nephew. After seeing the public response to quality wooden puzzles, he came to realize there was real satisfaction in making wooden puzzles and a potential for earning a living. Within that year, he shifted over to full-time puzzle maker and street artist.
About this time, Pat & Michael met, and fell in LOVE.
From Craft Fair simple, to serious puzzle making
1978
It wasn’t long until Michael opened the first Puzzle People store - Pier 39 in San Francisco.
About this time, Pat joined him in marriage AND business partnership! Thanks to them, kids have been enjoying lovingly handcrafted educational puzzles for over 50 years.
Small business, big growth
1979-1982
By 1978, Puzzle People is in full swing. Manufacturing for wholesale accounts, including toy and gift shops, museums, mail order catalogs, running/stocking four retail locations across the country. Pat & Michael married, and Pat retired from her tech job to go in full-time on the family puzzle business and join Michael at his riverside log cabin.
A new chapter
2001
The Puzzle People go online! Their first web store was launched as Michael & Pat continued to prioritize more time together and with their growing grandkids.
puzzles in the oval office
2010
Michael and Pat shut down their last brick & mortar store and moved to a Redwood Grove (their current home). This solidified the transition of the Puzzle People to completely online sales (with a rare craft show for fun).
That same year, we were commissioned to design, and make a custom puzzle at the request of the US State Department!
The puzzle featured none other than the First Dog himself: “Bo” the Portuguese Water Dog.
President Obama gifted the 50 puzzles to children of diplomats he met on his travels.
The next generation
2023
Jeff, Pat's son, and his partner Joanna were passed the Puzzle People torch to continue the legacy of handcrafted wood puzzles from the Redwood grove workshop. Michael & Pat are looking forward to more time for traveling, gardening, and enjoying their chosen lifestyle.