Discovering Unique & Indigenous Things in the Heart of Seattle
For this voyage to Alaska, my port of embarkation was Seattle. I had visited this scenic, breathtaking seaside city before, but never in search of special Things I might find past the traditional souvenir and gift shops. I only had a few precious hours in Seattle, so I quickly began my retail quest to uncover some of the city’s really distinctive Things, designed and made with authenticity. My quest led me first to a Native Artisans gallery located across from Pike Place Market on a rare, blue-sky sunny day.
Eighth Generation
Owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe of Native Americans, Eighth Generation was founded by Louis Gong (Nooksack), an artist, educator and public speaker in 2008. He sold the store to the Tribe in 2019, which focuses on “Inspired Natives”, not “Native Inspired” art, protecting and promoting their authentic culture and artisans to the world. The gallery is filled with a curated collection of wearable and useful art, including hand-painted jewelry and scarves, socks, notebooks, pillows and fine art prints. At the forefront, the gallery displays their artists’ beautiful Native-designed blankets, many from their Gold Label Collection, which are hand-woven in their Seattle studio. Each unique blanket, in either merino wool or cotton blend, is visually stunning, showcasing each artisan’s authentic Native designs and their heartwarming, inspired stories. Because of their amazing cultural designs and artwork, Eighth Generation was selected to design and craft all of the breathtaking blankets featured in the award-winning film, Wakanda Forever! www.eigthgeneration.com
Click on image to expand. From left to right: Wool Blanket of Knowledge by Richard M. Dalton, Blue/Yellow and Green/Green: Morning Star Wool Scarf by John Isaiah Pepion Maroon/Tan and Orange/Pink: Maple Sugar Wool Scarf by Sarah Agaton Howes Red/Black and Blue/Black: Tribute Wool Scarf by Jared Yazzie, Buffalo Medicine Crew Socks by John Pepion, Two Spirit Wool Blanket by Ryan Young. All Subject to availability at Eighth Generation, Seattle Photos: Brittney Couture
The Tasting Room
My second stop was a quaint little wine shop tucked away in Post Alley. The Tasting Room offers a “cellar” atmosphere and live jazz music was playing when I visited. The state of Washington is well-known as a producer of fine wines, especially their reds and dry rieslings. The Tasting Room presents only winemaker owned wineries, offering over 60 different wines for guests to taste daily. They represent seven boutique Washington wineries, where the emphasis is on small-lot, hand crafted wines. While I was there, I tasted an outstanding sparkling wine, a full-bodied Chardonnay and a delightful dry Riesling – which surprised me since I don’t prefer sweet wines! Voted “Best Tasting Room In The West”, The Tasting Room offers an outstanding collection of whites, reds and brandies you won’t want to miss sampling and taking home. www.winesofwashington.com
The Tasting Room, Seattle
DeLaurenti Market
If culinary indulgences are your “jam”, be sure to visit DeLaurenti Market. Founded in Pike Place Market in 1946, this incredible grocer offers homemade cheeses, cured meats, fresh pastas and a variety of delicious food products made in Washington. At the forefront is their amazing fresh cheese bar, offering an outstanding variety of locally made cow, goat and sheep’s cheeses, from mild to sharp, waiting to be sampled by visiting cheese lovers. For me, the fresh pasta is a must have. Take a few steps above the cheese bar and you’ll enjoy dozens of Seattle’s award-winning beers and ciders, all crafted locally by skilled brewmasters. The city boasts over 60 breweries that call Seattle home. Other Seattle-produced food items included coffees teas, wines, breads, chocolates, peppers and pickles, hot sauces and dozens of flavored sea salts and seasonings - several of which made it home in my suitcase! Although I did note that DeLaurenti’s does accept online orders and provides shipping. www.shop.delaurenti.com
From left to right: Fresh homemade pastas, Gourmet Washington peppers, Fresh homemade cheeses and breads, Gourmet Washington sea salts DeLaurenti Market, Seattle
Seattle Glass Blowing Studio
Seattle is famous for its world-renowned art glass crafted by Washington-native designer Dale Chihuly. His exhibition at the Chihuly Garden and Glass features astonishing works of beautiful glass sculptures bathed in moody lighting indoors in the Glasshouse, and artfully placed outdoors in the Garden, within vibrant green environments and natural landscapes. The Bookstore offers a colorful collection of books, limited prints and gifts. Visiting this exhibition sparked a flame within me to explore more about the art of glass blowing and to discover local Seattle glass artisans who have followed in Chihuly’s footsteps.
So off I went to the Seattle Glass Blowing Studio, located just a few walkable blocks from City Center near Seattle’s Cruise Port in Belltown. Upon entering, I was surrounded by an array of creative art designs that were truly unique. While just as beautiful as the glass designs I had just seen at Chihuly, these objects, vessels and décor items provided different perspectives of beautifully colored decor, created by Seattle’s contemporary glass artisans. www.seattleglassblowingstudio.com
One artist that caught my attention at the Seattle Glass Blowing Studio was Dan Friday. Dan is a Native of the Lummi Nation and a life long resident of Washington’s Puget Sound region. Drawing from cultural themes and using modern techniques, Dan’s work is contemporary while maintaining Native American qualities and designs. Dan has spent two decades working with master glass artists, including Dale Chihuly, and his work certainly reflects his prowess of the glass blowing craft. He is renowned for his artful glass totems, baskets and colorful bears and birds. www.fridayglass.com
Artist Dan Friday, exhibiting at Seattle Glass Blowing Studio
Bon Voyage
Before I knew it, it was time to board our cruise ship, leaving me with a desire to revisit Seattle in the near future to continue my quest to find even more local goods and crafts offered by this city’s talented artisans, galleries and unique retailers. (Along with visiting a few of Seattle’s renowned breweries.) Stay tuned for a lot more cruising and shopping adventures with the Port of Call Shopper!
The next ports I’ll visit in my quest for unique and distinctive Things will be four of Alaska’s major cruise ports - Sitka, Juneau, Icy Strait Point and Ketchikan aboard NCL’s fabulous ship, Bliss.
Till then, keep cruisin’ through life, discovering your own special Things!
CHEERS!
