About the artist

Whenever new customers walk into Creations, we can almost guarantee that at some point they will stop in their tracks and say, "Wow! Look at that!" when they see Peter Chapman's fabulous animal puzzles. These unique three-dimensional sculptures made of interlocking pieces never fail to amaze.

Over the past 20 years, Peter has developed his technique of turning a single piece of native or exotic hardwood into a fascinating and whimsical puzzle. Besides being challenging and fun, these puzzles make elegant gifts as well, thanks to the beauty of the fine woods and the painstaking craftsmanship. From his Class Menagerie studio in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains, Peter is constantly developing his technique and inventing new designs.

An interesting detail of Peter's work, is that each puzzle has a secret surprise inside. For example, the whale has swallowed a tiny Jonah figurine, and the alligator, a clock. Cats have little mice inside, and frogs have flies. And inside the piranha, you'll find a severed finger. (Eeuw!) You get the picture.