Handmade jewelry is one of our favorite ways to bring home local art after visiting a new location. It’s a great way to commemorate an unforgettable trip, and fits in a carry-on bag without too much trouble (or even on your person, if you’re a stylish traveler). When you’re looking for a gift to take back for that someone special, we think jewelry fits the bill perfectly. These are some of our favorite places to score some truly unique finds.
In Fairbanks, a thriving arts scene is a breeding ground for galleries and fun shops to explore. At If Only, a shop in downtown Fairbanks, you’ll find an eclectic selection curated by a group of five friends who opened the store in 1998. There are jewelry items from more than 20 artists at any given time who use materials like local fiber, wood, bone and even local river rocks and silver.
In downtown Anchorage, the streets are lined with art galleries that sell a wide variety of locally made jewelry. A stop into Sevigny Studio, Octopus Ink or Aurora Fine Art will keep any jewelry lover captivated for the afternoon. In the neighborhood of Spenard, a bit south of downtown, Bella Boutique features quirky, handcrafted items including silver charm necklaces hand-stamped with the outline of the State of Alaska, unique rings, bracelets and earrings. Whether you’re gifting someone with elegant, classic taste or someone with an eclectic, fun and funky style, you’re sure to find the perfect gift somewhere in town.
In Sitka, check out the artisan jewelry from Eclipse Designs, featuring saltwater pearls and 14-karat gold in one-of-a-kind designs. Bonus? You can purchase on Etsy and have it delivered right to your doorstep even after you’ve returned home.
In the Yukon, Murdoch’s of Whitehorse offers jewelry made out of gold nuggets, a fun way to pay homage to the region’s gold rush history. Another artist to not miss is Shelley Macdonald, who creates works of art that have been worn by the none other than Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge. If that’s not a glowing style endorsement, we don’t know what is!
Whether you’re going gold, precious gems or maybe even wood, handmade jewelry from the Great Land offers something special for every taste.
