Candace Cahill

I grew up in rural Central Minnesota with no running water or electricity, and by the time I graduated from high school, I’d learned books were an oasis and my guitar a good friend. After earning a Social Work degree, I took a year-long bicycle trip across North America before settling in Alaska. I’m a first mother, late-discovery step-adoptee, multi-disciplinary artist, and adventure enthusiast. I’m married to my best friend, and I work seasonally as a bus driver-guide in Denali National Park & Preserve.

An Author

One day, while on vacation, my husband, Tom, asked me what I would do if he died. I said I’d buy a little cabin on a lake and write a book.

“Do you know what book you’d write?”  He’d asked.

“Yes.”

“Then why wait?”

A Silversmith

Drawn to everything artsy, I learned the basics of silversmithing while visiting Taxco, Mexico, in 1997. As the world’s silver capital, Taxco hosted thousands of artisans, and we had the good fortune of making the acquaintance of the Garduno Family, who shared their expertise in metalsmithing, delicious food, and warm hospitality. We set up my first bench in the Arctic entry with minimal tools: a large-tipped propane torch, a few files, and a coping saw. When we opened our business, the name was derived from my husband’s first name and my last name: Thomas Cahill Designs. We have been in business now for nearly 30 years.

A Renaissance Woman

Known for their diverse skills, talents, and interests, Renaissance women are not bound by a single field or subject. They are perpetually eager to learn and grow in all areas of life and excel at applying skills acquired in one field to another.  Never content to sit idle, I can weld, sew my own clothes, have a CDL & a motorcycle endorsement, like to cook & bake, and play 4 musical instruments.