Alaska Fur Exchange — Local services in Alaska

Overview: Alaska Fur Exchange is like a cross between an antique shop and a museum, with prices to match. The shop is packed tight (reminiscent of many antique shops) with handmade art and jewelry constructed of various bones, stones, and leathers. Mixed among what I assume are locally made pieces are various commercial items as well. Some notable items I recall from my first visit include carved, polished animal statuettes, polished bone or stone earrings and necklaces, inscribed bone, inscribed and painted belt buckles, leather house slippers, fur/hide blankets, pocket knives, antlers, full animal hides for a variety of animals, and many cases of jewelry. I didn't ask but I suspect that each case and section of the shop carries items from different local sellers, as many cases appeared to be marked with shorthand names in the corners.

The Details: This is not a place for the light of wallet. Some background on my part. I have been through dozens of antique shops in Maine, seen traditionally made goods at Ren-fairs in Minnesota, and browsed furs at SCA events in Arizona so I have a general expectation of what I might expect to pay. The prices here were way higher than I anticipated. Most (handmade?) jewelry pieces ran between $30 to $100, although there were some cheaper options like $20 lasercut wood earrings. Statuettes, started at $30 for very small pieces and easily ran over $400 for others. These are very clearly art pieces and priced as such.

This place definitely has the feel of some antique shops I've been in, where items are priced like the owner is quite reluctant to give them up. Some leather house-slippers caught my attention, fur lined, I'm assuming genuine local leather. I know leather items can be pricey but the quality usually justifies the cost. The slippers certainly seemed to be of high quality but at $250, not for general use boots, but for house slippers, I find the cost hard to justify. I also checked the price on one of the leather blankets (I didn't check any others) and it was priced at $6,000.

Furs seemed closer to what I might expect but I still found the prices quite high. Granted, the pelts on display all seem to be of a very good quality, but are priced more like display pieces rather than crafting leather. (Ex: $200 for a full red fox pelt, good coloring) I do not have experience with bone or antler pricing so I can't really judge the sticker prices on those.

Note: I am not from the area (or anywhere else in Alaska). I did not have a bad experience at this location. These are just my observations and some context on...

Listen to me, men(with wives&gfs), other than AIH and Hardware Specialties(tool stores), THIS is the most interesting store in Anchorage! No disrespect, men just can’t focus when tools are around. I can’t tell you how great my experience at this store was, I’m only allowed 5 stars! I was out on a mission for a gf that turns 50...AND I’m in the doghouse BIGTIME...it only took an idea to walk into this store to find something she really liked, which is hard to do! I’m an artist and I’m going in on Monday for a DEEP investigation of this awesome store! ABSOLUTELY NO STAFF PRESSURE, NONE!!! Listen to me, I’m a local, you need to go...

Anchorage number one stop for all tourists and residents combined! As you enter the store you are immediately immersed in a unique atmosphere. This has always been the perfect experience for the perfect purchase providing Alaska’s amazing culture within a perfect merchandised environment. Enjoy Best fur mittens you will ever experience! Best hats and furs on the martens! Materials for crafting, skins, hides, threads, needles ext… Knowledgeable seasoned staff to assist you with finding the perfect gift or souvenir. Beautiful Mammoth tusks, exquisite jewelry, ivory...