Alaskan Gifts for Your Lower 48 Friends… ok, and for your Alaskan ones too
It’s Cyber Monday – the digital version of the shopping we did before the weekend when we shopped ourselves silly on Black Friday. This list of #mustbuys are all Alaskan.
From nature photographers like Carl Johnson to oyster farmers, Alaska is chock full of awesome gifts to give to your friends in and out of the 49th state. This cyber Monday, support local… your friends will thank you for it.
Where Water is Gold – Carl Johnson
Mudflats contributor, Carl Johnson, who has been documenting the communities that would be affected Pebble Mine for years published the gorgeous Where Water is Gold photo essay book “about one of the richest regions in Alaska – rich with an incredible, pristine watershed that supports 50% of the world’s sockeye salmon supply, a rich cultural heritage, and world class recreation. Essay authors include Bill Sherwonit, David Atcheson, Steve Kahn, Anne Coray, Nick Jans and Erin McKittrick. Foreword by retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.”
Any book that Bella Hammond says this about – you need to buy: “It’s absolutely beautiful. The photography is outstanding. Everything about it is wonderful.”
You can get the book a couple different ways – through Carl’s site, on Amazon.com.
Jakolof Bay Oysters
These are the oysters that simultaneously made me fall in love with oysters and ruined all other oysters for me. I used to not be a fan of these shelled bits of deliciousness until I took a trip to Homer, Alaska and got to enjoy Jakolof Bay Oysters fresh from the cold waters of Kachemak Bay.
The oysters are only available certain times – but you can order them now for your holiday enjoyments.
The Salmon Sisters – Clothes, Prints and more
While the Salmon Sisters may sound like an Alaskan take on the Indigo Girls – it’s actually gorgeous line of clothes and accessories designed and made in Alaska. Based in Homer, AK (we’re a bit biased about that town) they create “original designs by two young Alaskan fishermen, born and inspired by the wilderness of Alaska and the sustainable fisheries of the North Pacific.”
From their website: “Salmon Sisters products are designed and created in Alaska, inspired by nautical tradition, and made for a community of fishermen, adventurers, and ocean-enthusiasts. Salmon Sisters strives to make their garments the ones you dress up and dress down, get dirty and wear holes through, because they’re just too cool and comfy to take off. For every sale we make, Salmon Sisters donates a can of wild Alaska salmon to the Food Bank of Alaska.”
AK Starfish Co. – Clothes, jewelry and more
AK Starfish Co. has designs by Marci, another Homer-ite who is third generation Alaskan. Her designs are of classic Alaskan things, the raven, starfish and salmon are printed on water bottles, pants, snow caps and much more.
Marci’s first design, the starfish, was inspired by the sea of starfish in Sadie Cove, Homer in the summer of 2004. After photographing the starfish on an especially low tide, Marci created her vision of a clean stippled image that would capture the wild creature and celebrate its strength and beauty while mirroring the same qualities in the person who wears it.
Late addition (my fault) –
THIS MONDAY ONLY, we’re offering a Chugach Chocolates “Dark Chocolate with Pink Himalayan Sea Salt” bar for EVERY purchase on our website! The more you gift, the more chocolate you get.
We know that gift giving takes both time & energy. We appreciate you supporting small, local businesses this holiday season. We’ve decided to give you a treat to say thank you! Shop gifts here: bit.ly/2fFGepd. *Chocolate will arrive to your billing address within 5-7 business days. Offer ends 11/28 at midnight AK time.* #shopsmall #shoplocal
Support The Mudflats!
We’ve got t-shirts, mugs and more over at zazzle.com that are emblazoned with Brian, The Mudflats logo and some inside jokes like Jeanne court room drawings. Right now everything is on sale there and money we make on the site goes back into making the site more awesome, allowing us to cover stories and server fees.
It won’t be released in time for the holidays but you can now pre-order Jeanne Devon’s upcoming book: The Blood of Patriots: How I Took Down an Anti-Government Militia with Beer, Bounty Hunting, and Badassery. I’ve had a chance to read parts of it, and oh man… it’s going to be a good read. While it’s not printed in Alaska it was lived, researched and written in the state.
Please share your favorite Alaskan item to get your friends in the lower 48 in the comments below.
Here’s a gift backatcha. If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em. http://otherwords.org/koch-kollege-for-right-wing-social-engineers/ koch bros embrace Saul Alinsky.
I’m sorry, but, OYSTERS? EEEWWW!! (and a big yeech for good measure)
Sorry if you don’t like ’em. All the more for those of us who do.
I hope..deeply..that those who can, will add such items..into their..gifting-lists..this season. At 78.. totally unable to purchase and gift..however..please let the light of wisdom, of freeness.. for our America..and the lands..that were originally..in the care of assorted..first peoples..be honored..now..and for the next 4 years..for… ‘am sure! From that..energy..let the curr. President Obama..stand tall. His lack of..watching out for standing rock..and the fast-assembling gatherings..is breaking the heart..of all of us..who found in him..a shield. Rise our president..and be..FULLY..the man we have..assumed you were. Peace.