Well hello there. I know: where have I been? Let’s just say that, from here on in, this is a weekly newsletter except when it isn’t. Thanks for being ok with that, pet. (Please excuse the nickname there. Related: if anybody wants to discuss the BBC’s best DCI, Vera Stanhope, let me know. It’s been cold here so I gave in and resubscribed to Britbox for some knitting company and, along with the combo of watching BBC mysteries and knitting which, clearly, means I’m 104, I’ve also developed the desire to call everybody pet. I promise: I’ll make it stop. OR NOT.)
So, back to Alaska. I hear there’s some gift giving that may happen in the near future. Chanukah is now behind us and I still owe some family members gifts (coming soon!) but those of you who give Christmas gifts or Kwanzaa gifts or birthday gifts or just-because gifts, I’ve got some suggestions for you.
This right here is the start of what is going to be an ever-growing marvelous list of (mostly independent) artists, crafters, food producers, writers, musicians, and other marvels who create here in Alaska. Whether you’re in-state or Outside, you need to know about these people and the beautiful things they make. (I’ll send more in a few days too because…if you scroll down, you’ll see that this is long. Very long. So long. And I don’t want you to say so long!)
I’ll also add more suggestions over time as I learn about good new goods and other fun. Might even add some travel-ish delights around the state over time. If you’re new to my ramblings, you may not know that I’ve lived a good chunk of my writing life as a travel writer who focuses on AK. It’s no longer my main thing but…old habits die hard. I love suggesting places to go (sometimes in a not so nice way but…I would never do that to you).
Enough rambling. Here are some delightful Made in Alaska bits, baubles, tastes, and more. Get those orders in soon! Deliveries are all sorts of screwy right now. (If you don’t live in AK, the screwy you’re experiencing with getting packages is what we deal with all the time—go to hell, Louis DeJoy. Oh, but we usually pay a helluva lot more for it. So wrong. Enjoy!)
Made in Alaska Gift Guide, Pt. 1
Clothing
Ketchikan-based Christy Ruby’s designs should really be in the art category but…they are wearable art so, here we are. She works with sea otter and seal furs but does also work in alternative furs since her usual pelts of choice can’t be shipped out of the U.S. Back when I lived in NYC, I’ll admit I was anti-fur all the way. Fur there is more a glam thing. Here? It’s heritage and survival. And Ms. Ruby’s designs are her take on a tradition that stretches way way back and honors the lessons she learned from her artist grandfather.
Hulin Alaskan Design is a local favorite around Anchorage thanks to the combo of great art printed on super comfy sweatshirts and other clothing. But if I had a kid (oops, forget to do that), I would dress it in a Made in the Mountains onesie ($24) every damn day. Such a sassy little onesie. Adults: get yourself a Spenard pullover hoody ($64) and pay homage to my delightful neighborhood.
But in Juneau, locals are all about their Trickster Company clothing owned by a brother and sister artist duo, Rico and Crystal Worl. I love their designs. Check out the women’s rash guard top with a tessellated Eagle and Raven design ($70). Makes you want to surf, right? Along with other clothing, they also design the world’s coolest basketballs, skateboard decks, jewelry, and so much more. (If Rico Worl’s name sounds familiar but you just can’t quite place it? Think stamps.
Fish, kelp, and other tasty treats
Drifters Fish Tinned Fish Kit: Imagine how popular you’ll be at your next at-home brunch when you serve smoked salmon, smoked octopus, and seaweed (so delicious) on a maple wood serving board. Oh, fancy. The set is $95 so you might as well throw a Know Your Fisherman tote into your cart too cause shipping is free when you spend at least $100. It’s like getting the tote for free!
Schoolhouse Fish Co. has a full-on fun and delicious SE Alaska deal waiting for you: the Art + Salmon Gift Box. C-ute! I might need to add one of these sets to my own life (well, unless you buy them up first—and that’s fine, I’ll survive). $58
Word has been getting out about Wildfish Cannery’s tinned delights. If you can get it before it’s gone, grab a rockfish escabéche ($16). I won’t say a thing if you pass the ready-to-eat treat off as your own (though, careful, cause friends will ask you to serve it again and again and then you’ll be, um, let’s just say it won’t turn out well for you). Or stock a stuffing full of fish (and who wouldn’t want that?!), with the Just the Snacks pack, which includes geoduck, salmon, octopus, dill kelp pickles, and more ($85).
Art
Cheryl Lyon is, easily, one of my favorite encaustic artists. (Think wax. Colorful wax. But painterly.) I can get lost in even the smallest of her pieces for quite some time. They are grounded in Alaska landscapes yet dreamy. Real places but not quite. Beautiful work.
Hang one of Edwin' R. Mighell Jr.’s tiles—made with glacial clay from the Anchorage mud flats—and I guarantee anybody who visits your home will be all “where can I get one of those?” He works in such vibrant colors. There are stories and time in these tiles. This fox is delightful. One day when I’m rich I’m going to cover a kitchen wall with Mighell’s tiles. (Ha. OK. Maybe you can invite me over when you do this. I’ll bring cheese.)
Brenda Schwartz-Yeager — When she’s not guiding trips on her bright blue beauty of a boat, Wrangell-based Schwartz-Yeager paints the places she loves atop nautical charts of Alaska. (Oh, if you want to spend some time with bears in Alaska, go out on a tour to Anan Creek with Brenda. See? I can’t help myself.)
The Anchorage Zine Fair hosts an excellent cross-section of local artists, thinkers, writers, and others who have something to offer up on the zine front. Zines encompass a pretty wide range of publication styles but, pretty much, they all have a handmade quality about them. These are low print-run goodies. Some are super thinky. Some are super silly. Some are just plain cool. This is art for the people, people.
Are you a mug person? Yes? Then you need to get yourself (or whoever is the mug person in your life) a piece by Homer-based potter David Kaufmann. I simply cannot start my morning without a coffee in my beloved mug. The most comfortable mug to hold and colors that relax me into my day. There is no other mug like my mug. Best place to watch for new mugs is on his Instagram account. Plates and other stuff, too.
Alaska Dog of the Week
I’ll be back over the weekend with a bonus issue filled with more gift ideas (books, music, more art), news from around the state, a new Five Things, my random thoughts on this and that (ooh, how exciting!), and, of course, another Alaska Dog of the Week. And, yes, this one will really be a dog. Possibly. See you then.
Shop well, pet!
Jenna