Aurora Puzzles: A Brand Spotlight Worth the Wait

This brand spotlight is a little more personal for me. I first discovered Aurora Puzzles at Portland Jigsaw Masters in 2024. At the time, it was a quick stop and I browsed the booth, said hello to Dawn, and picked up my first Aurora puzzle: Tiger of the North. And then… it sat on my shelf for months.

It wasn’t until a friend I had attended the event with asked, “Have you tried your Aurora puzzle yet? It was so good!” So, naturally, it became my next puzzle.

Tiger of the North is now Available in 500 Pieces.

The Puzzle That Changed My Mind

I had completed over 200 puzzles that year, and somehow Tiger of the North ended up being my favorite. Which surprised me. At first glance, it looked VERY challenging. There was a lot of orange, bold artwork, and the kind of image you assume might slow you down. But it didn’t.

The quality was fantastic, the cut felt great, and what really stood out was how thoughtfully the image came together. Even with similar colors, the subtle gradients kept things moving. I was never stuck in that frustrating “everything looks the same” phase. It was perfect!

Dawn Autry Owner of Aurora Puzzles

Getting to Know Aurora Puzzles

Over the next year, Dawn and I stayed connected online, and I got to learn more about what makes Aurora Puzzles so special. This isn’t a mass-produced brand. Aurora Puzzles is a small, independent business based in Alaska, built around original artwork and a clear vision: to showcase the beauty of the Last Frontier through local artists.

“My name is Dawn Autry, and as a life-long Alaskan it was essential to include local Alaskan artists in my vision and develop high-quality puzzles that I can be proud of. Our puzzles are original, unique, and vibrant paintings that capture the beauty of the Last Frontier, seen through the artists who are inspired daily by the natural beauty that is Alaska.”

Dawn''s Daughters Working on True Love by Aurora Puzzles

That passion shows in the product. Every puzzle feels intentional, from the artwork selection to the overall experience of putting it together.

A Story That Makes It Even More Meaningful

What I didn’t know when I first picked up that puzzle was the story behind the brand. Aurora Puzzles began during a difficult time in Dawn’s life. After an injury left her temporarily disabled and unable to walk or drive for months without support, puzzling became something she could do while healing.

Before her injury, Dawn lived a very active lifestyle. As a life-long Alaskan, weekends were often spent biking, hiking, golfing, skiing, camping, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors. Then suddenly, everything changed. During that season of recovery, her love of puzzles was rekindled.

“Puzzling gave me something to concentrate on. It took my mind off my grief, pain, and trauma and became my therapy — you can say that puzzling saved me.”

And I think that’s something a lot of puzzlers can relate to, even if our stories look different. Puzzles have a way of meeting you where you are.

A Full Circle Moment

A year later, I was back at Portland Jigsaw Masters and saw Dawn again. This time, it wasn’t just a quick hello. After a year of conversations online, sharing puzzles, and getting to know the brand, it felt like catching up with an old friend. I was also excited for her to possibly meet Brian and Susan, the owners of Puzzle Warehouse, in person. 

And apparently… it was a pretty good conversation. Because now, Aurora Puzzles is officially part of the Puzzle Warehouse lineup.

Why This Matters

If you’ve ever followed smaller puzzle brands, you know this is a big step. With thousands of puzzles available, it can be easy for boutique brands to get overlooked. But Aurora stands out, not just because of the artwork, but because of the experience behind it.

There is something really special about seeing a small brand with a strong vision get the chance to reach more puzzlers.

Look How Bright Those Colors Are!!! Photo is of Dawn's daughter and soon to by Son-in-law

What You Can Expect From Aurora Puzzles

Aurora’s launch at Puzzle Warehouse includes some of their most popular designs, and yes, Tiger of the North is included, with it's new 500-piece version now, which is perfect if you want that same stunning image in a more approachable piece count.

If you enjoy vibrant artwork, thoughtful image design, and puzzles that balance challenge with flow, Aurora Puzzles is one to add to your list.

Denali Foothills by Aurora Puzzles

Final Thoughts

Aurora Puzzles is one of those brands that quietly grows on you, and then suddenly becomes a favorite. For me, it started with one puzzle sitting on a shelf. Now it’s a brand I actively look forward to building, every single time. And honestly, I’m just really excited that more people get to experience Aurora Puzzles now that they’re available at Puzzle Warehouse.

Browse Aurora Puzzles at Puzzle Warehouse

Emilee Frost
@thecasualpuzzler