Trophy Case

BIG IDEA Vancouver, Washington’s Wacom’s new Bamboo Capture Tablet—a $99 consumer version of a pen-based computer interface loved by design pros—has been touted as a “mouse killer.” Steering cursors with a digital “pen” may require rewiring your brain, but it’s fun, saves stress on the wrist, and makes spreadsheets feel like doodling. wacom.com

EAT THESE The macarons at Nuvrei don’t come easy. Pâtissier and owner Marius Pop sources natural flavors from France and monitors the moisture content of specific batches of eggs. “For something that looks like a French Oreo, they demand a lot of precision,” says Pop. “We want people to have an experience like they would have in France.” nuvrei.com

WORKSHOP Portland’s Chris Chase wanted to wax his old-school rain jacket without using paraffin, a petroleum by-product. So he cooked up all-natural Otter Wax, a treatment that makes fabrics both resist water and look cool. otterwax.com

MAD SCIENCE Frequent travel makes Portland’s Aaron and Emily Sundholm wary of bedbugs. Their new Detection Travel Kit uses a “pit-fall trap” to snare vermin. “It will tell you if your room is compromised,” says Aaron, a chemist. Knowledge = power. biotrapscience.com

LUST OBJECT Clive Coffee’s gorgeous pour-over Stand, made from Oregon walnut by local woodworker Delaney Kelly of Carthagh Craft & Design, recently landed an order from Nieman Marcus. Clive plans to follow up with a whole line of Portland-designed coffee gear. $195, clivecoffee.com

NIGHTSTAND Portland/Miami author Diana Abu-Jaber’s new novel, Birds of Paradise (W. W. Norton, $26), weaves her intercultural themes into a zesty family melodrama.

BIG IDEA Vancouver, Washington’s Wacom’s new Bamboo Capture Tablet—a $99 consumer version of a pen-based computer interface loved by design pros—has been touted as a “mouse killer.” Steering cursors with a digital “pen” may require rewiring your brain, but it’s fun, saves stress on the wrist, and makes spreadsheets feel like doodling. wacom.com

EXPORT As if CDs weren’t enough, MarchFourth Marching Band’s fans can now buy products handmade by the circus-y Portland troupe’s members. In particular, Faith Jennings’s cashmere hats, fashioned from recycled sweaters, would make a seasonally practical—and DIY-fashionable—choice. $64, faithhats.com (also available at local shops like Bonnet)