Shop Local This Holiday Season, Alaska Style
If you keep up with me on Instagram or read my blog posts, you’re probably aware that I have some strong feelings surrounding this season. I think it’s a season of waste and the entire idea behind the holidays have been lost thanks to the commercialization of it all. I am NOT against gift giving though, I believe in gift giving with meaning. Thoughtful gifts, quality gifts, gifts that will have true meaning for the recipient, that’s what I’m all about.
Shopping locally can play a huge part in all of that above ^. By supporting local small businesses, we can be in control of where our money goes (keep it here in our community), while also supporting a real human being who needs you to help them feed their family, pay for the roof over their heads, heat their homes, cover medical expenses, etc, etc. By shopping locally you’re skipping all the mass produced items and instead, you’re getting something one of a kind, well & uniquely made.
I’m aware that the cost of supporting an artist is a lot more than the cost of that plastic item on Walmart’s shelf, but enough is enough. We HAVE to stop with the overconsumption of materials. By narrowing down who we’re shopping for (not EVERYONE needs a gift) and marking off the meaningless gifts, many of us could easily afford to support our local artists in our community.
I call this, conscious shopping. Let’s make conscious decisions in everything we do, especially shopping.
I wanted to put together a blog post where people can scroll through and go directly to an artist in their community for a gift. Due to this being very last minute, I have definitely missed some amazing artists in our beautiful state. Most people didn’t have enough time to respond to the information needed, so I did the legwork myself and I’m truly hoping you can find a business in this list that aligns with what you’re wanting to gift this holiday season.
If you see an artist has a lot more detail surrounding their business, that’s because they personally reached out to me. If you don’t see anything for sale in some of these shops, be sure to check their social media, most are having shop updates here very soon.
Jewelry
Tristan Berkey Designs | Alaskan Made Custom Jewelry
Blueleaf Boutique | Handmade Jewelry and Accessories Made in Alaska
Newfangled North | Delightfully beautiful Jewelry Made in Alaska For You
Temper Forge Co. | Handcrafted Metal & Leather Works
Birch Bear Artworks | Uncommon, Earth-Inspired Jewelry for Your Inner Spirit
Bore Tide Designs | Alaska Inspired Gifts. Handmade Leather Earrings.
Seaglass and Stardust | Electroformed Jewelry + Stained Glass
https://www.seaglassandstardust.com
Home + Art
The Bare Lagoon | Handcrafted Kitchen & Homewares Made in Kodiak, Alaska.
Fringe & Fiber | Fiber Artist in Anchorage, Alaska
Knots & Knobs | A North Pole Based Home Decor and Accessories Business.
Specializing in warm chunky knits, and refurbished furniture; there's a little something for everyone. I offer dryer balls, hats, scarves, mittens, cowls, furniture refurbishing, punny pots, knobs, and a few other small decor items!
Where to shop:
AK Crave(Fairbanks)
Blush Moon Boutique (Fairbanks)
Revive Home Market (Eagle River)
The Cozy Mozy | Local Alaskan Artist Family Designing, Drawing, Cooking, and Delivering Happiness.
Woolly Caribou | Hand Dyed Yarn in North Pole, Alaska
Savanna says, “I have a pretty specific niche, I hand dye yarn here in North Pole. Most of my yarn is merino, but I have a few speciality blends with alpaca and silk. Knitting is one of my favorite hobbies and I’ve recently taken up making my own clothes when possible and I love being able to share how amazing it feels to create something with your own hands. I have written a couple of patterns that are also available, but I definitely focus more on dyeing yarn”.
Her yarns are gorgeous, guys!
The Canvas Cafe | Alaska Born & Raised Published Book Illustrator + Art Instructor for the Amazing Differently-Abled
Victoria is a local (Wasilla) artist that offers quite a few amazing services! If you follow her online, you’ll know she has a BIG heart and is doing so much good.
Current Contact Information:
Victoria Peterson
907-775-6960
Thecanvascafe@yahoo.com
Instagram
Some of her services are:
Art classes for all ages (art parties, I come to you)
Illustrations for books, album covers
Hand-created business logos
Art for wedding invitations, baby showers, announcements
Memorial portrait commissions
Green Thumb Succulents | Succulents & AirPlants for the Neglectful Gardener
My name is Kenzy, and I own Green Thumb Succulents, a floral and garden supply business here in Anchorage. I started this business as a way to declutter my house, and it ended up making it 100x more cluttered in the process.. but I wouldn't change a single thing. In addition to local maker markets I offer DIY succulent workshops for every level of gardener and truly feel the happiest when teaching others about these plants that I love so much. I love how eager Alaskan's have been to learn more about these desert plants -- they are constantly pushing me to learn more about these plants and because of this I strive to offer the best succulent workshop experience in the state. You can find me at the following shows in Anchorage & The Valley this holiday season!
-Fox Hollow Holiday Shopping Bazaar - November 18th (Fox Hollow Golf Chalet)
-Merry Makers Holiday Open House - November 24th (Address TBA)
-Home & Haven: A Collaborative Pop Up Showcase - November 23-25 (BLANKspace)
-Alaska Chicks Vintage Holiday Market - Nov 30 - Dec 2 (Hoskins Bldg @ AK State Fair Grounds)
-7th Annual Wonderfully Made Christmas Bazaar - December 8th (Cornerstone Church)
Be sure to check out my upcoming workshops at South Restaurant + Coffeehouse (and other locations soon!), I'd love to have you!
Keetna Farm | Reusable Goods From Talkeetna, AK
Zero Waste Items | Wool Dryer Balls | Pixie Hats & Snap Scarves (Children)
https://www.etsy.com/shop/KeetnaFarmGoods
Instagram
Clothing + Boutiques + ACCESSORIES
Resolute Boutique | An Online Boutique Based in Juneau Serving All the Cold Weather Babes While Exploring and Guiding Our Beautiful State.
Where to Shop:
In Juneau at Public Market November 23-25 for a pop up
She’s put together a few great gift ideas here! https://resoluteboutique.com/collections/holiday-gift-guide
Fireweed Boutique | Clothing Boutique Located in Fairbanks, Alaska
Located: 3677 College Rd # 12, Fairbanks, AK 99709
Shop online in their Facebook Group.
Kelsi’s Kloset | Clothing Boutique in Kenai & Soldotna, Alaska
Located:
10767 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai, Alaska
44676 Sterling Highway, Soldotna, Alaska
Infusion Boutique | Palmer & Wasilla, Alaska Based Clothing Boutique
Located:
1733 E Palmer Wasilla Highway #100A Wasilla
125 W. Evergreen St. Palmer, AK 99645
Alaska Mittens | Designer Wool Sweater Mittens in Talkeetna, Alaska
Willow and Luna | Handcrafted Italian Leather Bags Made in Juneau, Alaska
Health, Body, Mind
Innergy | A Fitness Studio in the Heart of Wasilla, Offering Personal Training, Group Training and Yoga Classes to Help Strengthen Your Mind, Body and Spirit.
Located:
1400 E Wasilla Shops Circle Suite 2G Wasilla
Burn & Bloom | Buti Yoga, Vinyasa & More in Anchorage, Alaska
Located:
325 Barrow St
Anchorage, AK
Yoga Om | Self Love + Human Connection Aerials, Yoga, Buti, Sculpt, Yin Classes, Workshops, Events
Located: 290 N Yenlo St. Suite 200 & 201 Wasilla
Wild Soul Roots | Ashley Pittman; Medicine Maker, Folk Herbalist, Flower Essence Practitioner, Intuitive Energy Worker
She recently launched a new line of essences: Fierce Feminine Essences
You can shop her here: wildsoulroots.com
Bliss Yoga Alaska | Yoga Classes, Workshops, & Retreats
Kate is currently offering a 1 hour private class for up to 6 people for just $100.
She’s also hosting a yoga retreat in Mexico in February (hello, let’s escape winter!), so be sure to check that out!
You can find her class schedules or book a private class on her website.
AK Bark | Alaska’s Premiere Pet Boutique
Located: 1921 W. Dimond Blvd, Ste 111 Anchorage
Home & Haven
If you haven’t heard about Home & Haven coming up next weekend, listen up! Many local artists (myself included), will have products/art/pieces available for purchase at Home & Haven. This is an amazing way to one stop shop for the holidays and it will be open November 23rd-25th, so no need to freak out about Black Friday, you’ve got all weekend. Constellation Shopping & Design has thrown together an amazing event where you get a true shopping experience, no vendors lined up for you to stare at their goods (ha), you get to take your time and browse, like an actual store..except it’s US, your local folks. She’ll also have furniture to purchase on site, so if you love what you see online with IKEA but can’t get it here (because they hate us), this is your chance to possibly snag something good!
She in the Woods
Last but not least, I wanted to “officially” announce on the website that I’ll be FINALLY opening my online shop next weekend 11/24! This shop update I’ll be offering wood burned wall art + ornaments, as well as herbal infused organic body butters, and a few packages of locally (sustainably) sourced Chaga that my husband and I have harvested near our home. I’m also planning a giveaway for some Chaga, so be sure to check Instagram next week to find out how to get included!
Thank you!
Thank you again for taking the time to look through all of these amazing artists. I really wish there was a way to truly articulate how important YOU are to us, but there just isn’t. We appreciate you so much and hope that you’ll choose to shop local this holiday season.
P.S.- Please share this post so these artists can possibly reach some new folks. <3