Introducing Kindred Post's Valentine's Day Gift Guides. This "For The Kiddos" edition is curated by KP owner Christy NaMee Eriksen. Valentine's Day is a time for us to celebrate love and not just the romantic kind! 

NaMee finds great inspiration in her role as a parent and her gift guide picks speak to the beautiful and temporary nature of childhood. We hope these guides help you celebrate your loved ones and create memories to last forever!

"I love the playfulness of this trio; perfect for a kiddo who likes kitten around." - CNE

Ginge Cat Notebook, $14.99.  |  Richard McGuire's Go Fish Card Game, $12.99.      Rainbow Kitten Enamel Pin, $12.

"For our little love bugs! I'd cut some tattoos out and put them *inside* the bug box containers. Or put little valentine candy in it - magnify those conversation heart messages!" - CNE

Huckleberry Bug Box, $14.  |  Natural Curiosities Temporary Tattoo Set, $15.

"I love being a mom and I also love working - this book is a tribute and reflection of the many different ways mamas work and provide for their families. A great opportunity for kids to see the labor of their own mother's love beautifully reflected back to them." - CNE

How Mama's Love Their Babies, $14.99.

"Listen, the bubble gun is 100% guaranteed playfulness and joy. It shoots continuous streams of bubbles and it is one of my go-to gifts for any kiddo - from tots to elders! Pair with the pink sunglasses to add literal rose colored lenses." - CNE

Flashing Bubble Gun, $9.50.  |  Neon Rose Sunglasses, $42.

"Give the gift of laughter! Each page has a joke paired with a big, bold illustration. My son and I use it like a game, pop quizzing each other. "Why was the broom late for school? It over-swept." 

Wee Hee Hee Book, $22.  |  Love Robot Card, $5.25.

"My lil hipster son is a real foodie, and he loves sushi. So these stickers, socks, and sushi cat wallet immediately make me think of him. Plus, my mom made this wallet! I'd fill the pockets with mama love notes and a gift card for a special treat somewhere."

 Maki California Roll Sushi Socks, $12.95.  |  Sushi Cat Coin Wallet, $40. (In Store Only)    Bento Mini Sticker Sheet, $3.

Pictured: Ivette Lugo of AIJ and Kristie Russette of Kindred Post

We're committed to annually donating 10% of profits from our Social Justice Hustle collection to a social justice cause we believe in. We were honored today to write a $590 check to Alaska Institute for Justice, a direct result of your support in 2019. Gunalchéesh, thank you! 

We invite you to read our donation letter:

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Dear Ms. Robinson, 

It is my pleasure today to donate $590 to Alaska Institute for Justice (AIJ), representing 10% of sale profits from our store's Social Justice Hustle collection over the last year. We designed this collection to inspire and recognize the hard work it takes to make social change. We're committed to continuously donating 10% of profits to excellent examples of social justice in action, and your organization's work is just that. 

At Kindred Post, we subscribe to the notion of interdependence; we belong to each other, and our oppressions and our liberations are bound to one another. We know that although our individual experiences may be varied; it is our collective experience that shines a light on our communal well being. Social justice will require careful attention and action to the communities most often marginalized, silenced, or ignored. 

We admire AIJ's fight for the human rights of all Alaskans. From environmental justice to legal services, your team cherishes and protects the homes of indigenous, immigrant, and all those in between. Your collaborative research on displacement affects climate change policy. You help those fleeing violence find legal protection. You bring and keep families together. Your work reminds us that we each have a right to be safe, healthy, and home. All of our communities are better for it. 

As a small business that promotes arts, community, and social justice, we are inspired by and deeply impacted by your everyday acts of social justice. We would be honored if you would receive this small gift, intended to shine a light on your efforts and lift them up. 

Gunalchéesh to the Tlingit, especially the Áak'w Khwáan, for the privilege of allowing us to be conscientious guests on their land, and to the patrons of our store who make this possible. 

Sincerely, 

Christy NaMee Eriksen, owner

Kindred Post 

"I do have a love for the fog and rain here in Southeast Alaska which is reflected in my work but I also draw and sketch everything around me my dog, scraps of fabric, vegetables, scenes around town, rocks I find on the ground."

Presenting our Kindred Artist of the Week series! We are big fans of all the artists we work with and we are so excited to share their stories!

Who are you?

I’m a pluviophile, illustrator, artist, bra fit specialist, and general maker of things.

What do you do?

I paint, draw, and build things. I primarily use watercolors, ink and gouache (a thicker opaque type of watercolor paint) in my work. I have also built props for theater productions using a variety of materials from wood and metal to sugar.

In addition to making visual art I also co-own and run Bustin’ Out Boutique where I specialize in professional bra fittings and get to be involved more one on one with the community of Juneau. 

Who/What Inspires You?

For me Inspiration comes from anything and everything, I do have a love for the fog and rain here in Southeast Alaska which is reflected in my work but I also draw and sketch everything around me my dog, scraps of fabric, vegetables, scenes around town, rocks I find on the ground.

What is your favorite moment in the process?

The randomness that watercolor produces. There are definitely ways to control the paint and be very precise but my favorite way to use the paint is to start with an idea and see where the paint takes me. I love to start with a completely wet piece of watercolor paper and just drop color onto it and see which direction it wants to go, let that first layer dry and then let the painting come out of that.  I also really enjoy filming timelapses of my work as I make it so others can see the process from start to finish.

What is a trick of your trade or a piece of advice for artists in your medium?

Use more water than you think you need, and work with a test strip of paper until you feel confident with your control of the paint. You can always build up color and intensity with watercolor but it’s very hard to lighten the painting if you go too dark.

What is next?

More creating always! I have an upcoming show at Annie Kaill’s for March’s First Friday and am working on getting more prints made of various paintings and illustrations that I have done. 

Hollis will also be a First Friday Artist for Kindred Post in August. Official announcement to come later this year.

See more of her work here!