Made sustainably. One tree planted for every puzzle sold

Nerds of the world unite: find a puzzle pen pal!

Bit of a Puzzle Nerd®? Wanna meet like-minded puzzlers? Or simply looking to make new pals? Well, you’ve come to the right place! Whether you’re looking for a friend to share your puzzle struggles with, or someone to swap and share designs with, we’re here to help.

Find a puzzle pen pal!

Yep, that’s right: we’re turning this very blog post into a meeting place for puzzlers. If you want to give it a go, it’s super simple to get started. Just write a line or two about yourself in the comments section below. You can write anything you like (see below for some topic ideas) but it’s a good idea to include something about yourself, and what you’d like to chat about.

Important bit: make sure you include your email address in the post itself (not just the email field) so that people can reach out to you. It’s a good idea to write your email in this format: hello[at]cloudberries.co.uk so your message doesn’t get eaten by our spam filter.

If you’re a bit too shy to post here yourself, that’s okay… just keep your eye on the comments below and send a message to the puzzler (or puzzlers!) that seem like a good match. Be sensible, stay safe, and let the good times roll – puzzlers are a lovely bunch, and we hope this idea can help to kick-start some new friendships!

44 puzzle-based topics to help break the ice

  1. What’s your favourite puzzle ever?
  2. What’s the longest time you’ve spent on one puzzle?
  3. Why jigsaw puzzles?
  4. What’s the largest jigsaw puzzle you’ve done?
  5. What was the weirdest puzzle experience you’ve ever had?
  6. Have you ever heard of this puzzle before?!
  7. If you were a puzzle, what design would you be and why?
  8. How much of a Puzzle Nerd® are you? Side note: take our quiz here to find out!
  9. Did you know (insert puzzle trivia here)?
  10. Here are 3 of my favorite puzzle accessories
  11. Any puzzle tips and tricks you’d like to share?
  12. Look at this cool puzzle I just finished/am working on!
  13. Any cool puzzle discounts and deals you know of?
  14. Experiences of ‘cute’ pets stealing and/or messing with your puzzles
  15. Important stuff you really should be doing instead of talking about puzzles
  16. On a scale of 1 to 10, how impulsive are you when it comes to buying puzzles?
  17. Ever heard of a puzzle tracker? If yes, how have you personalised yours? (Try our free puzzle tracker here)
  18. Help! I can’t solve this puzzle!
  19. I’m new to puzzling… what other brands do you recommend?
  20. Have you ever skipped work for a puzzle?
  21. What do you do when you’re not puzzling?
  22. What jigsaw puzzle gift should I get for this person I know?
  23. What do you get out of puzzling?
  24. Which puzzle accounts do you follow in Insta? There’s a list here to get you started!
  25. If you had one Puzzle Nerd® wish, what would it be?
  26. What does your puzzle space look like?
  27. Check out this funny puzzle meme I found: Here’s a goodun
  28. How did you get into puzzling?
  29. What do you think is the most effective puzzling strategy?
  30. Share your puzzle pet peeves
  31. What jigsaw puzzles should I do next?
  32. Any cool puzzle events you’ve heard about?
  33. What’s the most challenging puzzle you’ve ever seen?
  34. What do you think is the future of jigsaw puzzles?
  35. Music and/or podcast recommendations while puzzling. Why not start by trying these?
  36. Fun things to do with a jigsaw puzzle after you’ve solved it. Here’s an article to get you started
  37. Worst puzzles you’ve tried
  38. Share your best puzzling experiences
  39. Check out my puzzle collection!
  40. I’m interested in … -themed puzzles! What about you?
  41. How do you frame a jigsaw puzzle?
  42. Your puzzle heroes: Share the puzzling legends you look up to!
  43. What would be your worst puzzle nightmare? Mine is …
  44. Who do you puzzle with?

20 replies on “Nerds of the world unite: find a puzzle pen pal!”

  • Hi!
    My name is Jami from KC, Missouri, in the USA. I’m 37 and a new stay-at-home mom. I’ve loved jigsaw puzzles my whole life (I have an aunt who’s obsessed, lol). I bought my very own first puzzle several years ago, but then never even opened it due to anxiety and depression in my living situation. I just finally started putting that puzzle together last week…then bought three more and a box stand…and then started thinking of joining speed puzzling competitions…so, I bought puzzle sorting trays…and then another two puzzles…and then another three…now, I also want to collect…. I might have created a monster. I completed my second puzzle yesterday; I’ll start another new one today….
    And so it begins.
    Does anyone relate?
    My email is: jami.ryce[at]gmail.com

  • Ann, 56, from Northern Illinois; full-time College Professor; loved jigsaw puzzles as a kid and about 5 years ago, rediscovered by love for them. I have one going at all times now and work on every night for 2-3 hours before bed; it’s relaxing and I believe it helps keep my mind sharp and really works those analytical, memory, patience and focus skills. It can be frustrating though too because I mostly do 1000-1500 piece puzzles that are mostly just one color with very minimal color variations like just grass or just pool water, etc. The more challenging, the better for me. I like to strain my brain so it hopefully doesn’t turn to mush!

  • Hi, I’m Anna, a 20-year-old puzzle lover from the UK! I only got into puzzles in December 2022 when bored and stuck at home due to poor health. The health hasn’t improved much, but my love for jigsaws has increased exponentially! My favourite part of the day is when I sit down with my mid-morning coffee and snack and work on my latest puzzle-in-progress, the radio/music/a podcast always on in the background – of course, I do have a preferred program…

  • Semi-retired in Northern California. Recently re-discovered my love for jigsaw puzzles.

  • I’d love to find some puzzle pals for trades or sharing good puzzle finds in San Francisco! I’m Andrea on Instagram at penguins_puzzle.

  • Hi, I’m Zenzi from Philadelphia, PA! I started doing puzzles to give my eyes a break from the computer screen (both work and home). It’s become a fun family activity. I would like to spend this year improving my puzzling time for some virtual competitions. I’d also love to puzzle swap with folks that do 500 and 1000 piece puzzles. Feel free to say hi by email zeeathome935[at]gmail.com . I’m currently working on Birducopia by Charlie Harper

  • Hi from Chicago!!! I’ve been an avid puzzler my whole life. My mom loves puzzles too and we always do them together when we see each other but I miss connecting with others while I’m away from home. Would love to connect with people! Instagram is @maddy.arkin please dm me!!

  • Hello, I’m Hazel, I live on the South Coast, UK. I love doing jigsaw puzzles and I’m keen to hear from others with this passion. I am going to the Britush Jigsaw Championship next week, in Newmarket, also the Isle of Wight jigsaw festival in August. I’m interested in techniques, useful accessories, favourite puzzles, styles, themes, brands. I love doing puzzles of doors and windows, also collage pictures. Look forward to hearing from you.

  • Hey! My name is Leslie. Growing up my dad was always doing puzzles so I’ve always liked doing them but didnt really get into it until the pandemic. If there are any US puzzle lovers that want to trade I’d be up for it!

  • Hello! I’m Stephanie. Live in South East London. Love puzzles! (Obviously!) Have a few Cloudberries ones – plan to work my way through steadily. Recently finished one I got for Christmas which was one of unicorns and covered in foil – not that easy and not usually my thing! But I did it!

    Other than puzzles, I love reading and I volunteer at a farm helping with the livestock.

    Instagram is @poppyliqueur and email is sherlockswife@yahoo.co.uk

    Would love to hear from people!

  • Hello!
    I am from Mumbai, India. I started doing puzzles a couple of years back to help with my anxiety and overthinking and I absolutely love it! Got a few framed recently 🙂
    I would love to make some puzzle friends!
    My email is guptanayan18@gmail.com

  • Hi, I live in the Merseyside, U.K. and I love doing jigsaw puzzles and Lego.

    Would love to exchange jigsaw puzzles with someone locally or failing that anywhere in the U.K.

  • Hi, I’m Cheryl at hughesgctm@yahoo.com. I have been doing jigsaw puzzles all my life, learning the skills from my mother and grandmother. I am a retired mathematics teacher and would love to correspond with other retired puzzlers. I live in the US in Georgia.

  • Hi.
    I’m Janina, 38, from Germany and have been an avid jigsaw junkie for most of my life.
    My stash usually exceeds 2000 different puzzles but I rarely do a puzzle more than once and then it’s sold off again.
    I guess I always had an eye for details which made me choose a career in criminal investigations. (Finding that last piece of evidence is a bit like hunting for that one jigsaw piece that your pet stole, right?)

    Anyway:
    I’d love to make new friends 🙂 find me on insta @addieccq
    (Nope, not a lot of posts there. I am a mere lurker. But be prepared to find a puzzle pics there at some point)

  • Hello Puzzle People!
    My name is Cori, I am 34 years old and live in Boston. I work as a graphic designer by day and I am also completing my MFA in interactive media design part-time at MassArt. I quickly become puzzle-obsessed a few months ago. I love taking breaks from screen time with this tangible analog hobby. As a Virgo, I love order and attention to detail. My day job involves lots of colors and visualizations to communicate various messages on different platforms so puzzling is really complimentary. All-day. every day I puzzle in my free time and flex that muscle! I have a healthy weekly average of completing 1,000 pieces but recently I just completed “Life Before Social Media” by Toby Triumph in 2.5 days. My email is frontsidejap@hotmail.com. Hope to hear from someone!

  • Hello! I’m Caitlin and I started doing puzzles like a year ago because I live alone and I realised I’d go from working in from of a screen all day to being in front of a screen at home. I’d love to make some puzzle friends too! I’m 25 and I live in Germany but I’m from New Zealand. Feel free to contact me @caitlindoespuzzles on Instagram or caitlinthorn[at]hotmail.co.nz

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *