University of Alaska Women’s Bazaar opens holiday shopping with big crowd

FAIRBANKS — Scarves, jewelry, watercolors and wood carvings were just the beginning of the University Women’s Association 41st annual holiday bazaar, which saw a near-record turnout this weekend inside the University of Alaska Fairbanks Wood Center.

If the attendance level is any indication of a healthy economy, bazaar co-chairwoman Georgene Nielson said, Fairbanks is doing pretty well.

Within 15 minutes of closing Sunday afternoon, the Wood Center was still packed with anxious holiday shoppers eager to find that unique gift with an Alaska flair.

“Even with everything going on in the nation’s economy, we’ve seen a major increase in our sales — dollar wise — than we have in years,” Nielson said. “I think people are really taking advantage of the wonderful vendors and artisans we have here in Alaska when they’re looking for holiday gifts.”

The University Women’s Association has always had strict requirements for its vendors, the better to highlight locally crafted and handmade goods.

“The vendors here each have their own gifts to share,” Nielson said. The association has required that there be no national chain stores or foreign-made goods on sale, and the vendors themselves must show up to share and sell their own crafts.

“There is no middleman involved,” Nielson said. “Anyone buying an item from our bazaar knows that each piece is uniquely crafted and supports our local economy.”

From intricately designed and handmade qiveut garments to glazed wooden bowls and carvings made from whale vertebrae and fossilized ivory, many of the items for sale this weekend drew large crowds, largely because these vendors have showcased their work at the bazaar for decades.

“We have a lot of long-term vendors that generate a lot of our sales year after year,” Nielson said. “I’ve been really pleased this year with both the turnout of customers and vendors, and also the turnout of volunteers from across the community. It’s been a great way to kick off the holiday season.”

The University Women’s Association was founded in 1952 and retains many of its original members. Today, Nielson estimated the association has about 70 members ranging from faculty to alumni and community members with an interest in the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

The association’s main mission is to raise scholarship money for women to attend the university.