by Erin Kandoll | May 11, 2026 (Check out the Video Link at the end of the blog to see Mayfest in full swing)
There’s something magical about Petersburg in May. Our Alaskan town transforms into “Little Norway” during Mayfest, honoring our Nordic heritage amid fjords and mountains akin to Scandinavia. Each year, I’m inspired by the influential feminine figures of Norse mythology, who fuel my imagination and creativity.
With this sense of renewal, this year brings a new chapter. I’m thrilled to debut Wolf & Wildflower, my annual Mayfest trunk show collection. The pieces go beyond beautiful adornment to connect you with the transformative energy of these legendary warriors. Join me for the opening at FireLight Gallery & Framing on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in downtown Petersburg, Alaska. For the first time, the collection will also be available online at the same moment the gallery doors open. Whoever finds the piece first takes it home.
The Wisdom Keepers of Valhalla
If you’re unfamiliar with Norse mythology (or just need a refresher from your Viking history days), the Valkyries weren’t just any warriors. They were divine feminine forces who determined destiny, the choosers of the slain who decided which fallen heroes were worthy of ascension to Valhalla.
What draws me to these figures isn’t only their battlefield prowess. It’s their profound authority. These women held the ultimate decision-making power in a mythology of powerful gods. With a single gesture, they could transform death into transcendence, ending into beginning.
This transformative, decisive energy feels especially relevant to us today. How often have you stood at a crossroads, knowing that your next choice could completely alter your path? The Valkyries remind us that we each hold this power within us. The ability to choose our direction and transform our circumstances through deliberate action.
What draws me to these figures isn’t only their battlefield prowess. It’s their profound authority. These women held the ultimate decision-making power in a mythology of powerful gods. With a single gesture, they could transform death into transcendence, ending into beginning.
This transformative, decisive energy feels especially relevant to us today. How often have you stood at a crossroads, knowing that your next choice could completely alter your path? The Valkyries remind us that we each hold this power within us. The ability to choose our direction and transform our circumstances through deliberate action.
Beyond Beauty: The Intention Behind Each Piece
Each piece in the Wolf & Wildflower collection is made with intention, not just aesthetic appeal. When I sit at my workbench and begin the creation process, I think about those who will eventually wear this piece. What power might they need to summon? What transition might they be navigating? What strength do they hope to embody?
The Valkyrie influence is so deeply woven into my work that it appears in many beloved pieces from my Signature line. Even before Wolf & Wildflower, these warrior spirits inspired sterling silver creations that have become staples in my collection.
What’s beautiful is how these Valkyrie-inspired pieces complement the organic forms of my Whimsy Rainforest line, creating a balance between ancient warrior strength and the gentle wisdom of Alaska’s wilderness. Let me tell you about a few of the designs and how they bridge mythic power and natural grace.
The Valkyrie Cuff with Labradorite
This cuff features a Labradorite cabochon that captures the essence of the northern lights, the same celestial phenomenon the Vikings believed might be the gleaming armor of the Valkyries riding across the night sky. The stone’s transformative flashes of blue light mirror the Valkyrie’s ability to instantly transform a warrior’s fate. This piece is in its final run as I phase out the design in preparation for new cuff concepts later this year.
The Sterling Silver Valkyrie Cuff
This cuff offers a minimalist interpretation of warrior strength. Its clean lines and substantial weight create an immediate presence on the wrist, a tangible reminder that true power often lies in clarity and purpose rather than ornate display. Available in two sizes, both in their final run and offered at closeout pricing through Wolf & Wildflower while supplies last.
The Valkyrie Woodland Shields
These earrings transform the protective shields of the legendary maidens into wearable talismans. The three-dimensional pieces are available in three styles and catch the light with subtle brilliance, creating a presence that draws the eye. The Woodland Shields are also in their final run, available at closeout pricing through Wolf & Wildflower.
From Valkyrie Vines to Dew Drop Halo HairKeepers
The Valkyrie influence is so deep in my work that it evolves through the seasons. I originally created the Valkyrie Vine chain for necklaces—delicate silver branches echoing protective Valkyrie shields. Now, those organic lines have transformed into Dew Drop Halo Hair Keepers with that distinctive Norse flair.
Something about the pre-dawn hours in Petersburg’s rainforest reminds me of Valhalla itself. That otherworldly moment when dewdrops cling to leaves like natural jewels, when you can almost imagine Valkyrie wings brushing through the mist. This is when I do my deepest thinking about how ancient warrior energy meets the gentle wisdom of Alaska’s wilderness.
Conscious Craftsmanship
As someone who values responsible consumption, you’ll appreciate that each piece is handcrafted with ethically sourced materials. The .925 sterling silver carries natural properties of purification and protection that align with the Valkyrie’s role as guardian.
Labradorite, the signature stone of so many of these pieces, is thoughtfully selected for its beauty and meaning. Revered as the stone of transformation and connection to the higher self, it enhances intuition while supporting deeper presence in your own life. When you wear a piece containing this stone, you carry a physical reminder of your transformative potential.
These symbolic pieces are more than just jewelry. They’re talismans meant to accompany you through years of personal evolution and meaningful moments.
Where Heritage Meets Purpose
Living in Petersburg, we’re surrounded by layers of cultural heritage that make these pieces particularly meaningful. Our Norwegian roots run deep. Our ancestors carried these legends across oceans, whispering tales of powerful women who rode across battlefields and skies.
We also honor that this island is the traditional territory of the Tlingit and Haida peoples, whose traditions of powerful women and cultural strength have shaped this land for millennia.
When we wear these pieces, we connect to a lineage of strength. As beautiful jewelry and as physical reminders of the many cultural threads that weave together to create Petersburg’s unique tapestry. The blending of Norwegian fishing heritage with indigenous wisdom and Alaskan wilderness creates something new while respecting what came before.
The beauty of mythological archetypes is their universal relevance. Whether you have Nordic ancestry, indigenous roots, or come from another tradition entirely, the Valkyrie represents qualities we all recognize: discernment, courage, decisive action, and the power to transform circumstances. These energies transcend cultural boundaries. They’re ones we can all benefit from channeling in our modern lives.
Jewelry as a Catalyst for Transformation
What continues to inspire me about the Valkyrie motif is its profound relevance to contemporary life. In a world that struggles with gender equity, these ancient figures represent a radically different vision of feminine power. Decisive. Consequential. Fundamentally necessary to the cosmic order.
The stories behind Norse mythology’s Valkyries provide powerful metaphors for modern life. These figures weren’t merely decorative or secondary characters. They were essential to the cosmic order, making life-altering decisions and standing firmly in their power.
When you wear a piece from this collection, you’re not just wearing beautiful jewelry. You’re carrying a tangible reminder of your ability to make decisive choices, protect what matters, and transform challenges into opportunities for growth. This is jewelry with purpose. An adornment that serves as both an expression and a reminder of your own inherent power.
Join the Circle of Modern Valkyries
I invite you to experience the Wolf & Wildflower collection featuring new Valkyrie-inspired one-of-a-kind stone cuffs, earrings, necklaces, and rings at the trunk show on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Firelight Gallery from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. The show will feature:
- First access to the complete Wolf & Wildflower collection
- Closeout pricing on the final run of Valkyrie cuffs and Woodland Shields, available to in-person guests and online shoppers alike
- A simultaneous online drop https://www.twistedginger.me/collections/wolf-wildflower opening at 5:00 PM AKST sharp
- Pieces dual-listed in both places, first-come, first-served
- A few pieces exclusive to the in-person show, including the Sword and Shield earrings (a fifteen-year Mayfest tradition) and a small restock of Alaskan garnets
The pieces stay on display at Firelight Gallery through the weekend
Join the VIP Family for exclusive early access to my online collections. >> Join the VIP FAM
Claim Your Power, Make Your Choice
In Norse tradition, being selected by a Valkyrie was the highest honor, recognizing a life of courage and purpose. The pieces in Wolf & Wildflower offer a similar acknowledgment of your journey, celebrating your capacity to face life’s battles with determination and grace.
Whether you’re navigating professional challenges, personal transformations, or simply wishing to connect more deeply with ancient feminine wisdom, these pieces are daily reminders of your inner strength and the long line of powerful, mythic, and real people who have shaped our understanding of feminine power.
Join me in honoring the legacy of the Valkyries and discover which piece calls to your warrior spirit.
Want to See "Little Norway" in Full Swing?
Check out this three minute video from Linblad Expeditions, capturing the small island community of Petersburg Alaska, in all her Mayfest Glory!
>>Mayfest in Petersburg | Alaska | Lindblad Expeditions-National Geographic
Twisted Ginger Jewelry: Adornment with purpose, beauty with meaning.