Every year, we run a promotion on custom puzzles to encourage folks to place their holiday orders early. We usually run this promotion all month long, but not this year. This year, 2025, we're ending the promotion on September 15th.
I want to tell you why we’re ending the promotion early because it is something I am very proud of and excited for. If you’re interested in the behind-the-scenes stuff here at Elms or the realities of running a small business, I think it’s worth the read.
The promotion ends September 15th because Shay needs a vacation.
If you don’t know who Shay is, she is Elms’ Head Artisan, Puzzle Grand Dame, and Jigsaw Queen Extraordinaire. She is also the reason Elms Puzzles is still in business. And she hasn’t taken a vacation in over 5 years.
In 2020, the company had to close the workshop in Maine and figure out a way to run everything remotely. To make a long story short, Shay moved the entire workshop, including the rental library and all the other inventory, into her home. She printed and mounted every puzzle and picked, packed, and shipped every order. On her own, for years. And that’s not all. Shay kept the books. She managed the art licensing. She repaired rental puzzles. She ran payroll. She even ran the social media accounts for a bit. And that is a very reduced list.
That meant she had very little time to do the thing she really loves and is exceptionally talented at: cutting puzzles. When we started working together in 2023, one of our biggest goals was to grow the business so we could hire more help, get everything out of her house, and enable her to focus on her passion. That goal was encapsulated in Shay going on vacation without everything going on pause.
We have so much further to go, but I am so proud of how much progress we have made. We have a workshop that’s a short drive from Shay’s house. We have great team members who handle our rental program, prep puzzles for the artisans, ship orders, keep the books, and so many other critical day-to-day responsibilities.
The artisans who hand-cut each and every puzzle piece are the magicians who transform a panel of wood into a special keepsake that brings joy, relaxation, and delight to generation after generation. But there are a million roles, processes, and responsibilities that are needed behind-the-scenes to support both you, and our artisans. Shay was doing far too much for far too long. It has also taken me a good deal of time to learn the ropes, and Shay will be the first to tell you that I’m nowhere near done learning. I specifically owe her so much, but I also believe we are all indebted to her for her passion for preserving this beautiful craft.
So in a few days, Shay is off on vacation! I know for a fact there’ll be plenty of wine and puzzles involved. For my part, I’m going to do everything I can to ensure she doesn’t have to think about Elms for one second while she's away. And a big part of that is ending this promotion early to ease the influx of orders a bit.
Don't worry though, while Shay is kicking back, drinking wine, and assembling puzzles rather than making them, we will still be taking orders, cutting keepsakes, and sending puzzles out the door. That wasn't possible when we started this adventure together. And that's why this is so exciting.
Thank you, Shay. Bon voyage.
I know that took a while so thank you for reading this far! I hope you find some relaxing time to share with the ones you love.
Chris
Owner, Elms Puzzles