2024 Alaska Small Business Gift Guide

2024 Alaska Small Business Gift Guide

Alaska is full of small businesses and talented creators. With the holiday giving season upon us, we wanted to share a small collection of those who have been inspiring us lately. Alaska's wild gifts are present in so many of these makers' unique creations and we hope these gift ideas help you share what you love most about Alaska with your friends and family this holiday season. Thank you for supporting small business and shopping locally; it makes a real impact. We are proud to be surrounded by so many inspiring and talented people and projects. Happy gifting everybody, and happy holidays! 

 

Jeff Szarzi

Jeff is a ceramicist who lives in Homer, Alaska. His pottery is inspired by views of Kachemak Bay, Alaskan food, and how we share our local culinary fare with friends and family. His images reflect Alaska's beauty, wildlife, ruggedness, ecosystems, and local landscape. Jeff makes our special Fish Shop Mugs

 

Jenny Nakao Ceramics

Studio potter and Prince William Sound/Copper River commercial fisherman based in Seward, Alaska. We love Jenny's mugs featuring fishing boats and her other ocean-inspired designs! 

 

Naataq Gear

Iñupiaq makers of traditional Indigenous clothing with a modern approach in Northewest Alaska. “We’re happy to offer a garment that’s inspired by our traditional atikluk, kuspuk, to our communities here in Alaska,” says founder Alice Bioff. Naataq jackets are made from a fabric called Dintext, which has a protective film washed into the fibers to give the garments water residence, windpoofind and breathability. Read more about Naataq Gear here.

 

Wildhaven Wools

Keep your loved ones cozy while outdoors this winter in grow-with-me merino wool base layers from Wildhaven Wools. Super soft, natural, warm but breathable and cute! Perfect on their own, or under rain and snow gear, these clothes are made for kids who love to play outside. Made in the USA and designed in Haines, Alaska. Stay tuned for a special Wildhaven Wools x Salmon Sisters collab launching this fall! 

 

Homer Whales

Homer Whales are one-of-a-kind stuffed whale toys handmade using repurposed fabric remnants by Abigail Kokai in Homer, Alaska. She also sews whale backpacks and mobiles for kids, quilt and home decor. Find them in our Kids Gift Box

 

Twitterpated

Handmade heirloom dolls, stitched in Palmer, Alaska by Heather Gerrits. These one-of-a-kind dolls come in human and animal form, with Alaska-inspired clothing, food, and other custom options. Absolutely full of whimsy. 

 

Qawax̂ Creations

Taytum Robinson is an Unangax̂ artist based in Unalaska and the founder of Qawax̂ Creations. "Every part of the animal is used. Indigenous practices are humane and environmentally sustainable. It is a great honor that I am able to repurpose this precious material, and I am so thankful for this animal for gifting me the opportunity to create my art." We are proud to carry a collection of Qawax̂ Creations earrings on our webshop.

 

Akimbo

The jewelry of Akimbo Collection is designed to reflect the raw beauty of Alaska and the allure of adventure. Magayr Knox is a lifelong Alaskan raising three daughters to face the dark winters and midnight sun summers of life with the spirit of the "akimbo" stance. Magayr resides in her hometown of Chugiak, spending summers chasing inspiration with her family in their converted school bus, Atlas, and winters carving out new forms of creative expression. 

 

Wild Sleepy Roots

Zoe Meade is a mom and scientist who uses pressed Alaskan wild flowers to craft her jewelry. Her creations let you take beautiful Alaskan summer in the form of forget-me-nots, monks hood, and delicate ferns, with you wherever you go. 

 

Chix̂tax̂ Designs

Jewelry made by Unangax̂ and Yup'ik artist, Mercedes Kashatok. With over 10 years of sewing and beading experience, she launched Chix̂tax̂ Designs in 2020 - inspired by her cultures and fellow artists. She sources all traditional materials (for example dried seal gut and furs) from Alaska Native persons and/or artists. We are so excited to carry her jewelry on our webshop.

  

Stray Goose Studio

Alaskan artist Libby Ferrara says "with my jewelry I'm trying to communicate so many of the things we love about Alaska; our ocean, our mountains, the filtered light of 11:30 on a mid June night, the shining drops of dew along a leaf edge in the morning." Libby works from Seward, Alaska and along with her jewelry, has recently been making some beautiful block prints and other 2D prints, cards and more. See her seaweed necklace and earrings on our webshop. 

 

Bering Sea Designs

Jewelry hand crafted in Juneau, Alaska using sea otter fur and metal, inspired by the artist Carley's Aleut (Unangax̂) heritage and made for "the women who want to feel grounded and present in her life." Find a selection of Bering Sea Designs on our webshop

 

The Rosie Finn

Ashley Lohr lives in Petersburg and crafts vivid and conversational jewelry inspired by her fishing community in Southeast Alaska. We love the fish scale and bouy motifs she uses in her earrings, and carry a special pair on our webshop

 

Urban Atsaq

Tina Harness is a contemporary Native artist of Yupik and mixed heritage, raised between the rural community of Bethel, Alaska, and Southern California. Her beadwork blends traditional and modern designs. She is a dedicated teacher who views beadwork as a form of tangible creative meditation. empowering others to incorporate micro-therapies (beading and art) into their everyday lives. Take a beadweaving workshop with Tina and shop her beautiful creations here.

 

Kicker Room Blooms

Hydroponic, winter tulips – rooted in an old Alaskan salmon cannery in Cordova, Alaska. Follow Ashley's beautiful blooms as a small-scale flower grower in coastal AK here.

 

Jill Richie

Jill Richie is a watercolor artist, archeologist and mom who finds her inspiration in observing natural formations where she's rooted in Fairbanks, Alaska. Jill's landscapes represent the sweeping wild beauty of Alaska in all seasons and we are lucky to carry a number of her prints on our webshop

 

Salt Water Press

Salt Water Press is a tactile print and design company specializing in letterpress printing, simple and environmentally-inspired design, and quality craftsmanship. Founded and operated in Juneau, Alaska by Meghan Chambers. 

 

Mountain Woman Studio

Jade is an artist from Anchorage, Alaska who paints murals, makes prints and paints denim. We had the pleasure of host Jade at a pop-up at the Salmon Sisters Fish Shop this summer and loved seeing her hand-painted clothing and gorgeous linocuts in person. 

 

Kim McNett

Kim McNett is a naturalist artist based in Homer, Alaska whose artwork is inspired by the species, landscapes and weather that she encounter during my wilderness adventures. Her journal pages, illustrations, and paintings are observed from nature as she travels and explores Alaska. Find several of Kim's prints on our webshop.

Kaladi Brothers Coffee x Trickster Company "Locally Grown Blend"

Locally Grown Blend was created in collaboration with Trickster Company and Locally Grown Restaurants featuring artwork by Crystal Worl. This bag is a continuation of our artist series which was started in 2022 in an effort to work with and highlight amazing local artists. This bag’s art, “Animal Party,” was created by Crystal Worl by blending graphic design and acrylic paint featuring designs of Raven, Killer Whale, Frog, and Bear all intermingled, being wild and free. $1 from this coffee bag’s proceeds will be donated to the Anchorage Museum.

 

Wildfish Cannery

For over 30 years Wildfish Cannery has carried on the craft and time-honored traditions of the region in the small seaside town of Klawock, home to Alaska’s very first salmon cannery more than a century ago. Chef Mathew Scaletta, who now carries forth the cannery's family tradition, continues to innovate and inspire us all with his delicious, preserved wild Alaska seafood. Find a selection of Wildfish Cannery tinned fish on our webshop

 

Summit Spice & Tea Co.

Providing Alaska with specialty tea and spices since 1998, Summit Spice & Tea Company is a premium boutique for spices, spice blends, loose-leaf teas and Alaskan foods and gifts. Their fish-specific rubs and spices are customer favorites in our retail shops and we're proud to offer a selection on our webshop this winter.

 

Tundra Tonics

Based in Fairbanks, Alaska, Tundra Tonics uses "powerful, pristine, research-backed ingredients harvest 100 miles south of the Arctic Circle" to craft their healthful teas, syrups, tinctures, herbs, and more. Find a selection of their goods in the Alaskan Pantry collection on our webshop this winter.

 

Anchorage Greens

Anchorage Greens was started in 2019 to grow premium quality greens and herbs right in the middle of Anchorage. Greens are sold directly to consumers through weekly subscriptions and non-subscription items from their Garden Market. By growing produce locally and harvesting it each day, they maximize product freshness, shelf life, and value; while minimizing shipping, packaging, and food waste. Anchorage Greens is committed to pesticide free cultivation, and use exclusively non-GMO varieties. Their tightly controlled indoor garden was built to give their plants exactly what they need, so no matter the season they can get greens to your plate the same day they are harvested, at the peak of freshness and flavor.

AK Mountain Dog Treats

A veteran-owned company that dehydrates Wild Alaska Salmon to make tasty and nutritious treats for dogs. Our pup loves the "Copper Topper" and fish-shaped freeze-dried treats, which can be found on our webshop. 

 

Kachemak Kelp

Kachemak Kelp works with Kachemak Bay seaweed farmers to produce regenerative, delicious kelp products – healthy for people, our oceans and coastal Alaska communities. Shop a selection of products on the Salmon Sisters webshop, including their new Selkie Bath Soak

 

Sol Candle Co

Toxin-free, clean burning candles, hand crafted in Homer, Alaska by Taylor Weaver Money. We worked with Taylor to craft two very special holiday scents for you. Find them on our webshop!

Harbinson Homestead Ski Hut

This charming log-cabin was built by hand in 1929 and remains a living work of art. Located on the Lookout Mountain ski trail network near Homer, Alaska with world-class groomed skate/nordic access right out the front door. Also less than a mile from the Homer Rope Tow, this is a skier's paradise!! Accommodations include three beds (1 queen, 1 full and 1 twin), a full kitchen, woodstove and oil heat, and a tidy outhouse. Book a winter getaway through Airbnb. 

 

Mako's Water Taxi

Mako’s Water Taxi will take you to some of the most interesting, breathtaking, fun places around Kachemak Bay. If you like birds, you can circumnavigate Gull Island, summer home to 25,000 nesting sea birds. If kayaking is your thing, let Mako’s take you to protected coves for an intimate encounter with the primordial coastline. If hiking and camping is on your list, Mako’s Water Taxi will take you to Kachemak Bay State Park and the 80 miles of trails it has to offer. The friendly staff at Mako’s will give the best information about the Park and find the perfect trail for you.

 

Alaska Huts

The mission of Alaska Huts in Manitoba, AK is to "To build and maintain backcountry lodgings that promote camaraderie, stewardship, outdoor education, & Alaska’s cultural heritage." Get the gang together and rent a cabin or yurt this winter, enjoy the sauna after an afternoon ski, and get cozy by the fire with new friends. A great New Year destination.

 

Edible Alaska

 Gift a subscription to Edible Alaska, a culinary magazine dedicated to Alaska’s local food movement. Every issue celebrates local farmers and fishermen, food artisans, brewers, chefs, and home cooks with stories and recipes. 

 

Alaska Commercial Fishing Courses

Whether you've never been on a boat before or you're a seasoned fisherman looking to start or grow your own operation, Alaska Boats & Permits has a course for you. The Zero to Deckhand course is designed for folks without much experience who want to become a commercial fisherman. The Captain's Course teaches experienced fishermen the ins and outs of investing in Alaska's fisheries. Courses are online, at your own pace, the perfect winter learning opportunity for yourself or a young fishermen you know. 

Seafood Distribution Network

Help meet nutritional and cultural need and increase connection and food security in Alaska. The Alaska Longline Fishermen's Association seafood donation program helps facilitate the transport and distribution of wild salmon to Alaska Native communities suffering (sea)food insecurity. 

Kachemak Heritage Land Trust

Join us in giving back to healthy salmon habitat in coastal Alaska! We are partnering with KHLT this year to learn how to be good stewards of land for salmon and to help educate visitors passing through our shops about the importance of healthy coastal ecosystems. Learn more and donate here and check out our Wild Salmon Forever Hoodies (15% of proceeds is donated to KHLT)!

 

Support Local Artists in Alaska

Dos Manos in Anchorage

Anchorage Museum Store in Anchorage

Kindred Post in Juneau

Poppy Lane Mercantile in Palmer

Salmon Sisters Flagship in Homer 

Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer

The Net Loft in Cordova

The Museum of the Aleutians in Unalaska

Alutiiq Museum in Kodiak 

 

Happy gifting everybody! For more ideas, browse our Made in Alaska, Alaskan Pantry and Salmon Sisters Holiday Gift Guide collections. 

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