Our Story

My name is Mad Hesler and I am the creator and owner of Tongass Resin. I am a paddler, lover of cold water, kitty adorer, outdoor instructor, artist, and passionate forager. I have always loved the microcosms that exist around us; lichens, mosses, mushrooms, slugs. Growing up in northern New Hampshire I was lucky enough to have many mentors in my life that showed me how to observe, explore, and slow down in the big woods. I am eternally grateful to my parents and close friends Lucy and Jamie for showing me the path from an early age. Tongass Resin started back in the summer of 2019 when I casually mentioned to my partner that it would be cool to try and preserve plants in resin, art was something very out of my comfort zone at this point but Alex encouraged me to give it a try!

I came to Alaska in 2015 and knew this was where I was meant to be for my life. For the past 10 years I have been working in the outdoor industry guiding paddling and backpacking expeditions throughout the rainforests and the tundras of Alaska. I am grateful to call Southeast Alaska home; to forage, paddle, connect, and live off of. My inspiration comes heavily from my experiences in these deep woods; rarely do I spend time in them without learning something new about myself and this life.

During the pandemic I dove in headfirst with my art since my normal guiding job was not running. Tongass Resin has continued to grow with the intention of preserving tiny treasures from the Tongass and up-cycling books to create wearable magic for your lives.