Quick! Is there anything worth buying in Alaska?`
#1
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Quick! Is there anything worth buying in Alaska?`
We leave tomorrow....I don't know what, if anything, I want to add to all my 'stuff' I have collected from all corners of the world. Don't say bear sculptures, totem poles, furry things, polished rocks, phony gems,etc...been there, done that (in earlier years), and gave it all away. But is there anything truly unique?????
#4
Join Date: Jul 2006
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I would have liked to have gotten a whale baleen (hope that's correct for singular) to hang on the wall, but they were too expensive in the area we saw them. (BTW, this is not from whale harvesting.) They were quite beautiful on the walls of a few shops in Homer, and with our love of whales, this would have been a perfect keepsake for us.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2003
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I agree with Starrsville, I use my ulu knife every day and brought back a few for friends. I keep it on my counter, along with my food processor and those are the only two I put out to use every day.
#9
Join Date: Feb 2003
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There are lots of galleries in Anchorage that sell only "Made in Alaska" items that are really nice. Art glass, hand-thrown pottery, and REAL gemstones. The ulu knives are always a perennial favorite, too. I also wear my Alaska sweatshirt a lot each winter!
#14
Join Date: Jun 2006
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I,too,have an ULU knife. I have a it on a collectable shelf and is always the conversation peice when someone enters the room. As you probably know by now, you will have to bring it back in your checked luggage.
I also brought back a couple of great refrigerator magnets.
I also brought back a couple of great refrigerator magnets.
#15
I too, love my ulu. I also brought back the "bear paw" salad servers as gifts - everyone loved them.
If I had the money, I would have loved a baleen basket or beach grass basket. They are very expensive and a dying art.
MY
If I had the money, I would have loved a baleen basket or beach grass basket. They are very expensive and a dying art.
MY
#17
Join Date: Jan 2003
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I vote for an ulu, too, but make sure to also get the cutting board with a rounded depression. For chopping herbs, use a rocking motion. It's also good for slicing. Very nice ones have horn handles and are made locally. Have your favorite smoked salmon shipped home as souveniers for friends. There are some wonderful artists in Alaska who reproduce their works as small prints and notecards. The Pratt Museum in Homer has a very nice gift shop. I got a lovely twiggy picture frame at the Girdwood Forest Faire that sits on our mantel.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Another vote for the Ulu knife. Everyone in our family has one (brother and family live in Alaska so naturally we've all received gifts). I use mine all the time, in addition to herbs, chopping onions, etc, it's the best pizza cutter! My brother is actually on his second one as he used his so much the handle fell off.
#20
I think your reference to oosiks went over various heads, repete.
http://www.geocities.com/abaccola/oosik.html for the uninitiated.
I think your best bet for "crafts" or "souvenirs" is still the gift shop at the Alaska Native Hospital in Anchorage. Usually the best of the best is there, and the hospital is a great "off the beaten path" place to visit, too, if for no other reason than looking at the native art on display in the halls - probably the best "gallery" in Alaska.
Otherwise look for high-end basketry, silver jewelry (especially Tlingit/Haida designs,) Laura Wright Parkys (parkas) at several retail outlets in Anc. and IIRC the public market, and great local art - see Artique on G St. in Anchorage for some really fine work (not schlunk.)
http://www.geocities.com/abaccola/oosik.html for the uninitiated.
I think your best bet for "crafts" or "souvenirs" is still the gift shop at the Alaska Native Hospital in Anchorage. Usually the best of the best is there, and the hospital is a great "off the beaten path" place to visit, too, if for no other reason than looking at the native art on display in the halls - probably the best "gallery" in Alaska.
Otherwise look for high-end basketry, silver jewelry (especially Tlingit/Haida designs,) Laura Wright Parkys (parkas) at several retail outlets in Anc. and IIRC the public market, and great local art - see Artique on G St. in Anchorage for some really fine work (not schlunk.)