Beautiful Brass Mobiles to an Oregon Trail Board Game, October’s Best Local Stuff
Image: Courtesy Natalie Joy Miller
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After studying small-scale sculptures at Olympia’s Evergreen State College, jewelry designer Natalie Joy Miller branches beyond accessories with a series of beautiful brass mobiles such as this Monstera Deliciosa—also known as the split leaf philodendron. $130, nataliejoyjewelry.co
Image: Courtesy Pressman Toy
Play
Originally released in 1971, the Oregon Trail video game taught countless youngsters in classrooms about the dangers of dysentery and fording rivers. Now Pressman Toy company has released a board game version with trail cards, supply cards, and calamity cards. If only moving to Oregon were actually this treacherous, amirite? $13 at Target
Image: Courtesy Conundrum
Eat
A far cry from the average mix of cashews with a sad raisin or two, Conundrum trail mix boasts a cavalcade of flavors like Oregon-grown hazelnuts, rosemary, and lavender seasoned with bursts of brown sugar and Jacobsen flake salt. $5 at Made Here PDX
Image: Courtesy Venn Design
Sit
Venn Design creator Tyler Benner says his stylish, spherical chairs encourage active, thoughtful sitting by forcing you to balance (or gleefully bounce) while you work—a boon to both body and mind. Benner’s orbs use an internal ball cushion wrapped in foam and coated with a layer of heavy duty fabric ranging from hemp linen to Pendleton’s signature jacquard prints. $199–499, venndesign.co
Image: Courtesy Mica DeMarquez
Kitchen
Local ceramic artist Mica DeMarquez throws her simple, functional pieces of dishware by hand, kilnfiring them to bisque before glazing them up into sweet dotted gems. Then comes one more high fire at a blazing 2,200 degrees, making your mug both microwave and dishwasher safe. $18–60, mimiceramics.com
