Countdown to Valentine’s Day!
Valentine’s is in 5 Days, you haven’t shopped yet, and your s.o. hates flowers and candy? Never fear, AK is here!
MY VALENTINE IS A SUPER HERO:
Fly over to the Comic Shop where you’ll find everything from romantical graphic novels, robot rings, hello kitty lunch boxes, and Wonder Woman tees. WOW factor: the staff is super friendly and very knowledgeable.
MY VALENTINE LOVES ALL THINGS LOCAL AND HANDMADE:
Two of my favorite local artists have created pieces that are a little off center, addressing the damage and healing of the heart.
Photographer Adam Ottavi creates stunning images using the 19th Century wet-plate collodion technique. The heart-shaped tear in this Fireweed photo was actually a happy accident. Read all about it here.
Kristin Summerlin, of Tin Cup Designs, creates handwrought sterling silver and copper jewelry in her Two Rivers home studio. Her healing heart is a work in progress.
Over at Fireweed Consignment East (formerly Tickled Pink) you can pick up a lightly scented Cherry Blossom or Icy Snow candle made locally in North Pole by Cabin Candles.
MY VALENTINE IS VINTAGE AND VISUAL:
Ben’s Superstore (in the back of 2 Dice Pawn) has an amazing selection of film cameras, including and especially these medium format beauties. They also have a ton of really cute gold and gemstone heart pendant necklaces located throughout the jewelry room. Bonus: if you get to visit with Stella you just may never leave Fairbanks. She’s worth enduring a 40 below winter for!
MY VALENTINE IS CUTE AND KITSCHY:
I usually steer clear of recommending chain stores but Icing in the Bentley Mall has some really cute LOVE bracelets and an awesome array of feather earrings. If you happen to find yourself valentine-less and in need of some sorrow drowning, they also have a inordinately large supply of floral and bling-ed out flasks. Remember: you were born awesome!
MY VALENTINE IS EASY, BREEZY AND GLOBAL:
Realtor/interior designer/importer Joan Stepovich has curated a lovely collection of furniture and art from Bali and brought it all back to share with Fairbanksans at her shop, White Palms. All pillows and paintings are on-sale this week for Valentine’s Day. The catch: she’s heading out of town for a week on Sunday, so you’ll have to shop today and tomorrow for this deal.
AK vs AK 
Thanks for including my Healing heart in your lovely Valentine’s collection! Such a nice surprise… and lots of other great gift ideas, too. A couple of places I need to check out. 🙂