Perfectly Alaskan Creations, a Kenai storefront selling work from around 50 Alaska artists and creatives, celebrated a grand opening on Tuesday.
Owner Jessica Dison said the store sells “all kinds of products that are handmade.” On Tuesday, a broad variety was plainly visible on walls and on tables — ceramics, yarnwork, jewelry, apparel, sculptures, spreads and hot sauces. Just this month, Dison said they’ve added 10 artists to the store.
“I started out as a vendor myself,” Dison said.
She said she’s lived in Alaska for eight years, and spent around three years showing up to fairs and markets — in blowing rain or shining sun — selling lotion bars, body butters and resin jewelry.
“This was the step I was dreaming about,” she said. “Being able to support my fellow vendors who I’ve made friends with over the years is exciting and wonderful. Giving them a place to put their stuff in between seasons and a place where they can say ‘you can find my work at Perfectly Alaskan Creations.’”
Dison purchased the shop, formerly operated by the Alaskan Artisans and Crafters Guild, in early October. She said connecting the grand opening to Halloween was in hopes of getting the date to stick in people’s memories. A bowl of candy and 3D-printed sculptures was on offer, as well as goodie bags for the first several visitors and a drawing for a gift basket.
Dison described the store as being able to serve people looking for locally produced wares, those looking to grab a gift for holidays and birthdays, or Alaska visitors looking to bring home a piece of local culture.
For many of the works on sale, Dison said she can provide bios or business cards to help interested people find more information about artists and their work.
Perfectly Alaskan Creations will be open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The shop is located at 10809 Kenai Spur Highway, in the strip mall near Louie’s. For more information, find “Perfectly Alaskan Creations” on Facebook.
Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.
Crafts by Alaska artists are seen at Perfectly Alaskan Creations in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Crafts by Alaska artists are seen at Perfectly Alaskan Creations in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Crafts by Alaska artists are seen at Perfectly Alaskan Creations in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Crafts by Alaska artists are seen at Perfectly Alaskan Creations in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Crafts by Alaska artists are seen at Perfectly Alaskan Creations in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Crafts by Alaska artists are seen at Perfectly Alaskan Creations in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Jessica Dison stands at the counter of Perfectly Alaskan Creations in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
