ak starfish co. -- handbags and clothing designs

the artist and her art:

As a third generation Alaskan, Marci has much to appreciate about her life. She has spent her thirty-five years exploring Alaska by running and skiing on the trails of Kincaid park, bush whacking through the brush and animal trails at Mount Susitna’s feet, flying to remote rivers and streams to fish for salmon with her dad, trolling over the icy waves of Resurrection Bay in search of salmon, glaciers, halibut, and beauty, kayaking and beach combing out of Homer, Valdez, and Seward, and running across the 50km frozen dogsled trails of the Little Su and the mountain pass Lost Lake trails. Her experiences in nature are part of the inspiration for her art and her lifelong love of Alaska.

After going out of state for college and teaching English in China, Marci returned to begin twelve stimulating years as an English teacher at Dimond High School. Her relationships and experiences with students inform her awareness of human growth and an individual’s ability and need to regenerate, like starfish do, to constantly “create anew.” This desire to learn and grow propels her art and her life…

the starfish design:

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. The hand drawn design has become an Alaskan symbol that Alaskans are excited to call their own and that folks around the lower 48 and other countries are excited to adopt.

The ak wild salmon design joined the starfish in the summer of 2006 as a much needed reminder of the value of wild salmon, the need for clean salmon habitats, the healthful quality of wild alaskan salmon as a part of our diets, and an important renewable resource. The hand drawn salmon was modeled after a Deshka River Chinook Salmon that the artist caught at the start of summer.

The ak starfish co. skirts have arrived. THree playful and classic styles inspired by an ocean pallette. They are beautiful and perfect for Alaska summers and winters. The skirts are designed by the artist and sewn from wool, cotton and polyester.

the handbags:

A starfish handbag is a piece of strength and beauty on your shoulder.

ak starfish handbags are designed, hand-sewn, and beaded by Alaskan artist Marci L. Nelson. The handbags are made of designer dupioni silks. The artist uses lush whalebone cordoroy and even heavy duty carhartt workpants in some bags to add texture and color.

The line supporting the beaded shoulder straps is halibut leader line used by Alaska fishers who value the line's strength. The beads are Czech Republic glass, and they provide striking shine and interest to these saucy creations.

Wear the bags with everything. The shoulder straps are comfortable and classy; the silk is vibrant and sophisticated. This accessory will add style and splash to your bluebird days and moonfilled nights.

A starfish rests on the back of the handbag label as a symbol of strength. The artist photographed her at low tide on the beach in Homer, Alaska. She is a symbol of one's ability to grow... to regenerate.

about the clothing:

All of the garments are silkscreened on cotton pieces made in America.