“Sometimes you just need different walls to look at,” Rosie Taylor reminded us. I had to agree. Rosie is the proud owner of The Miners’ Bazaar Project Café, Bar and Boutique in Jacksonville. I mean, a change of pace and scenery are why we take vacations, right? But what if you could indulge in a mini-break any time you felt like it? What if you could pop into Rosie’s place and unplug long enough to work on a new art project, or sketch while sipping South Stage Cellars’ wine or a hot mug of Uber Herbal tea? It’s not only possible, but a friend and I recently did that very thing.
The Miners’ Bazaar Project Café, Bar, & Boutique, Jacksonville, Oregon
The Miners’ Bazaar is a peaceful escape, a welcoming, authentically refashioned historic house at 235 E. California Street. It began life in 1868 as the town dentist’s residence—his practice was next door where Quady North wine tasting room is today. The Miners’ Bazaar is stocked throughout with unique handmade gifts from local artisans. The entrance invites you to explore further and exercise your latent artistic tendencies by trying one of the projects offered…or by bringing your own. A barstool line-up serves as a starting point; then wander back into three project rooms to discover the one that best fits your mood of the day. A fun outdoor expansion is planned for around back, soon.
“The business idea for TMB had been cultivating for a long time without me realizing what was happening,” Rosie explained. A Griffin Creek area native, she graduated from South Medford High School then traveled cross-country to Georgia for a degree in illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She moved beyond curricula, sensing her own way forward and worked at The Paris Market and Brocante in downtown Savannah, a retail design experience with a French muse located inside a grande dame of historic Savannah. Eventually, the path returned to her roots and the door of her dream shop.
“Art does have a space in our world. We do need it. Everybody has their own creative voice. Providing a space where people can feel safe, nurtured, and supported is really important.”
I took her sentiment to heart since I don’t navigate toward arts and crafts. For the sake of broadening my scope and putting Rosie’s optimism to the test, I decided to tackle printmaking. I doubted the quality of the finished product, but she was the picture of patience and encouragement as she talked us through each step of the process.
Our adventure included edibles, of course. What could be more comforting than munching tasties while working on a project with a close friend inside a historic home in Jacksonville? Rosie delivered bowls of cream of broccoli soup, while we awaited our chicken galettes from Jefferson Farm Kitchen.
We savored wine and began our project adventure by choosing stencils from a wide variety of designs, each opting for variations on bare trees. We received a muslin bag containing a rubber linoleum block with two carving tools and began penciling in the design with our stencil covering the block. Then came the surprisingly fun part. We used the tools to remove the penciled-in areas and leave the raised image ready for ink. There’s a strange but definite satisfaction in moving the tool through pliable rubber and watching the design take shape. There’s just the right amount of resistance to make progress without slipping. The block is two-sided so I plan to return and carve the owl I had spied earlier. Once our block was fully inked, we stamped our design on newsprint. A winter tree appeared. I could do this.
It’s important to Rosie that her support team and system receive a proper nod. “This community has been so beautiful. I get goosebumps just thinking about the welcome I’ve gotten. I’m working with other small businesses—Kristen from Jefferson Farm Kitchen, Liz from Uber Herbal, and Griffin Creek Roasters is my coffee supplier. They’re giving a lot of quality to the business.”
The Miners’ Bazaar is a family affair. Rosie’s dad, Greg, and brother, Kelly, helped with the build-out. Her mom, Jacque, makes delicious cookies. I scarfed the gluten-free chocolate chip peanut butter ones.
Other projects available include embroidery, painting projects, wrapped wire and beaded lanyard, cut paper, and shadowboxes, with new offerings announced regularly. Every other Thursday, local artist Ben Wood offers a workshop on sgraffito, an ancient Italian technique for decorating pottery.
Rosie Taylor is the consummate hostess whose desire is to welcome a continuous flow of satisfied houseguests. The Miners’ Bazaar is open every day except Tuesday, from noon to 8:00pm. Workshops are a regular part of the schedule so be sure to check their Facebook page, gather friends, and come together over food, drink and conversation. TMB is perfect for special events, but if you’re a group larger than four it’s best to call 541-702-2380 for reservations. It’s a cozy place.