Rainforest to Table: Mother's Day Gift Bundles Celebrating Southeast Alaska's Artisans

Rainforest to Table: Mother's Day Gift Bundles Celebrating Southeast Alaska's Artisans

Introducing:  Wild Alaska Mother's Day Experiences 

Not Limited to moms, meaningful gifts for anyone who lights up your life!

Calling all Artisan Lovers!

There's something magical about living on a tiny Southeast Alaskan island of just 3,500 people where the ocean sprawls in front of you, and the rainforest cradles you from behind. Our little community of Petersburg might be small, but the creative spirit that thrives here is MIGHTY.

 

When you're surrounded by this raw, wild beauty and have little to do besides embrace the outdoors or dive into a hobby, you end up with some incredibly talented folks crafting extraordinary things. That's exactly why I'm over the moon excited to announce our Mother's Day Gift Bundles featuring some of my absolute favorite local artisans!

A Celebration of Southeast Alaska's Hidden Gems

These limited edition bundles (only 20 available!) are more than just gifts—they're a taste, scent, and sparkle from our enchanted little Southeast Alaska corner.

Each bundle tells a story of hard-working island families who've poured their hearts and souls into creating something truly special.

 

Let me introduce you to the magical humans whose creations make these bundles absolutely irresistible:

Schoolhouse Fish Co. - Wild Alaskan Coho Smoked Salmon

>> Schoolhousefish.com

Hands-down, it is the BEST smoked salmon I've ever had (and trust me, living in Alaska, I've tried plenty!). This salmon is so tender it falls apart in your hands, with the perfect balance of smoky flavor and oil that makes it divine on top of bagels or straight from the package.

Eric and Malena are the heart and soul behind Schoolhouse Fish Co., bringing sustainable seafood directly from their boat (the F/V Aero) to your table. Eric has been fishing commercially from Petersburg for over 15 years, while Malena brings her background in watershed science and salmon advocacy to their business. 

Together, they've created a company that reflects their values – catching fewer fish sustainably so you get excellent salmon you can trace directly to its source.

What I love most about their story is their commitment to "fishing their values" – keeping fish revenues in the community, prioritizing craftsmanship over volume, and supporting habitat protection.

 

Their company name comes from the historic 1920s Point Agassiz Schoolhouse they once owned—a building that traveled the seas on floats to house a logging family throughout the islands!

 

Scroll through their stunning images of Southeast Alaska (paradise on Earth, as they call it) and dive into their "Fish Tales" blog to glimpse their incredible life on the water.

Chef Alisa's Handcrafted Herb Salts from Dauntless Charters

>>DauntlessCooking.com

>>AlaskaBoundCharters.com

If you've never experienced Chef Alisa's culinary magic, you're missing one of Alaska's hidden treasures. Alongside her husband, Captain Jim, this dynamic duo creates unforgettable adventures aboard the luxury yacht Dauntless. While Jim navigates the breathtaking wilderness of Southeast Alaska with expert knowledge of its hidden gems, Alisa crafts five-star dining experiences that transform fresh-caught seafood into culinary masterpieces. Together, this husband-wife team knows how to showcase Southeast Alaska's best—from its majestic fjords and wildlife to its spectacular flavors and ingredients.

 

I'll never forget my hubby surprised me for my 38th birthday dinner aboard the Dauntless— filling the boat with my closest girlfriends while Chef Alisa served us up a seven-course Spanish cuisine extravaganza that ranks as the most incredible meal of my life.

With over 20 years of experience in Seattle restaurants and whale charters, Alisa brings "fresh from the ocean to your plate" cuisine, making dining part of the whole Alaskan experience.

The testimonials say it all – guests are "astounded by what Alisa was able to create," calling her an "award-winning chef" whose meals are "worthy of an upscale top restaurant." Now, she's sharing her talents through handcrafted herb salts from her Alaskan herb garden.

Captain Jim at the helm, steering the Dauntless through the Wrangell Narrows with Petersburg's iconic Devil's Thumb Mountain sits on the horizon.  

 

Do yourself a favor and spend a few minutes scrolling through her mouthwatering food gallery—the seafood dishes straight from the ocean to plate, the intricate desserts, the perfectly plated meals that look like art—trust me, you'll be drooling within seconds! 

Then, immerse yourself in the >>Alaska Bound Charter virtual tour, which showcases the breathtaking beauty of Southeast Alaska—from massive glaciers calving into turquoise waters to intimate encounters with whales, bears, and bald eagles. The video tour alone will have you dreaming of experiencing this magical place firsthand, with Chef Alisa creating culinary magic while you explore our pristine wilderness.

The video tour will transport you to our pristine glaciers, bubble-feeding whales, wildlife-rich waterways, and hidden coastal gems. 

It's the next best thing to being here, watching humpback whales breach while Chef Alisa prepares something extraordinary in the galley.

Alaskan Scented Candles: by Mandy Ritenour

My dear friend Mandy Ritenour is a Jane of all trades and has been with me since I transformed Twisted Ginger from an expensive hobby into a thriving jewelry business. She's been my rock and support system from the beginning, and now she's bringing her creative talents to these gorgeous, delicious-smelling candles in 11-oz black frames with wooden tops.

The "Raven's Roost Rosemary" and "Muskeg Lavender Bloom" scents will transport you directly to our rainforest island.

Let me set the scene...

The Raven's Roost scent is named after one of our beloved local hiking trails that winds through the temperate rainforest and climbs steeply to a stunning cabin perched at 1,800 feet elevation. It's a challenging 4-mile trek that rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramic views of Frederick Sound and the surrounding islands. The cabin, part of the Tongass National Forest, sits surrounded by the unique alpine ecosystem that defines our Alaskan landscape. Truly a site to see! 

The Muskeg Lavender Bloom celebrates another distinctive Southeast Alaskan landscape feature – our muskegs. These special wetlands (which locals often call bogs, and yes, they produce cranberries!) blanket about 10% of the Tongass National Forest and create an almost otherworldly landscape with their spongy carpets of sphagnum moss, carnivorous plants, and stunted shore pines.

In the fall, muskegs burst into a scarlet, orange, and gold palette as blueberry bushes and other bog plants change color. Stepping into muskeg feels like walking on a saturated sponge (boots required), and these unique ecosystems hold fascinating plant communities that have adapted to acidic, waterlogged conditions.

These hand-poured, all-natural soy wax candles are exclusive to these bundles—you won't find them anywhere else! While Mandy's website isn't up yet, this is your exclusive opportunity to experience her incredible craft. And if her candles indicate what's to come, believe me, you'll want to keep an eye out for her future ventures!

 

The Jewelry Connection: Where Rainforest Meets Whimsy

Of course, these bundles wouldn't be complete without some Twisted Ginger Jewelry! Each bundle includes a bundled choice from my 2025 Spring Layering Guide featuring my signature rainforest-inspired pieces and new Dew Drop Luminary necklaces with gemstones that add the perfect pop of color.

 

My jewelry designs were inspired by the temperate rainforest, where I spend countless hours berry picking throughout the seasons when I'm not making jewelry. It's one of my favorite pastimes with my children and a great way to stock the freezer for the long winter! We'll emerge soaking wet and covered in berry leaves—a messy, beautiful experience that inspired my entire rain-kissed berry leaf line, where cascading canopies of leaves climb up your hands, neck and ears.


All my pieces are designed to layer together, creating a magical, enchanted rainforest fairy vibe with the strength of the Valkyrie energy (a nod to our island's Norwegian heritage and yearly festival).

 

My designs are inspired by my surroundings. I work from a shipping container with the ocean in front and the rainforest behind—pure Southeast Alaskan enchantment!

 

A Limited Edition Wild Alaskan Experience

Each Mother's Day Bundle includes:

  • Schoolhouse Fish Wild Alaskan Coho Smoked Salmon - shelf-stable for up to 5 years and shipped directly from Petersburg.
  • Chef Alisa's handcrafted herb salts are created with herbs from her Alaskan herb garden.
  • One 11 oz Twisted Ginger candle by Mandy in either Raven's Roost Rosemary and Musky Lavender Bloom scents - hand-poured all-natural soy wax.
  • Your choice of Twisted Ginger jewelry from our Spring Layering Guide Bundles!

With only 20 bundles available, these are truly limited-edition treasures that celebrate the flavors, scents, and silver of Southeast Alaska.


Connect with Each Artisan

Want to dive deeper into these Alaskan treasures?

 

For the foodie mom: After experiencing Schoolhouse Fish's melt-in-your-mouth smoked salmon, you might find yourself craving more! Explore their Fish Clubs for regular deliveries or discover their Fish Tales blog, where Eric and Malena share stories from their life on the water. Their spectacular Southeast Alaska photographs will transport you to our wild paradise.

For the adventure-seeking mom: Prepare to be amazed in two ways! First, spend some time drooling over Chef Alisa's incredible food photography – each dish is a masterpiece that combines Alaskan ingredients with artistic presentation.

For the jewelry-loving mom: After experiencing our Mother's Day bundle, explore the complete Spring Layering Guide to discover more rainforest-inspired pieces that tell the story of our temperate wilderness. Each piece is designed to mix, match, and layer, creating your unique Alaskan-inspired style. Bring a touch of nature with you wherever you go!

 

Why These Make the Perfect Mother's Day Gift

Our mothers are truly what make this world go round—they're the most self-sacrificing people I know. Since becoming a mother, my world has completely changed, and I'm endlessly grateful for that unexpected transformation and endless love.

These bundles are a way to thank the mothers in our lives (or ourselves, if we're moms!) or anyone who lights up your life! With a gift that supports multiple small-business families while delivering a truly unique Alaskan experience, it's like sending a little piece of our magical island directly to someone you love.

>>My VIP family will first get access to these bundles, the exclusive 2025 Spring Layering Guide PDF, and special bundle pricing on my signature lines.

 

So, sign up to be a part of the >>Twisted Ginger VIP FAM for that exclusive guide and the best chance to snag one of these bundles this Saturday, April 26th!

Thank you to this incredible community that continues to support and encourage Twisted Ginger.

 

Join Us for This Celebration of Community, Motherhood, and Southeast Alaskan Enchantment

There's truly no other place like our little island in the world. From the flavors of wild-caught salmon to the scents of hand-poured candles and the sparkle of rainforest-inspired jewelry, these bundles capture the essence of Southeast Alaska in a way that's perfect for celebrating the mothers or special humans in your life.

Pre-orders for these exclusive bundles are open for VIP members this Saturday, April 26th, for my VIP Fam and then to the public on Monday, April 28th. 

For Mother's Day delivery, order by May 1st!

Set those alarms and be ready to secure one of just 20 available. My limited gift releases usually sell out pretty fast! Each bundle will be carefully packaged with handwritten notes from all the artisans sharing the stories behind their creations.

 

When your bundle arrives, share your unboxing with us on Instagram @twistedgingerjewelry @dauntless_cooking @schoolhousefish @mindover.mandy so we can see the joy these Southeast Alaskan treasures bring to your home. 

And who knows? Maybe one day, you'll be inspired to visit our magical little island and experience the rainforest, ocean, and mountains that inspired every piece in this collection.

Until next time, stay wild and wonderful!

Erin

 

P.S. Not yet a VIP member? Join our family today and receive the Spring Layering Guide before the launch, plus early access to these limited-edition Wild Alaskan Gift Experiences before they all go!