Laughing Berry Gift Shop
The Laughing Berry Gift Shop, operated by businesswoman and entrepreneur Lindarae Shearer, is located in the Artists Village at the waterfront above the “New Breakwater”. It is situated next to the Metlakatla Longhouse. The Shop is located in one of six or seven spaces created by architects hired by the Metlakatla Indian Community to provide large retail spaces for rental by some of Metlakatla’s artists. Each space is about 20’ x 24’ and has its own large garage-style door, window and oil heater. The spaces are attractive with open ceilings and large wood beams.
Laughing Berry Gift Shop was a next step necessity after Ms. Shearer grew tired of carting large boxes with her entire inventory of jewelry from car to large room where many artists gather to sell their items several times a week during tour season. Now she can simply walk in a few minutes before visitors arrive and is ready to sell as soon as they walk in the door.
Lindarae Shearer has created a beautiful, artistic retail shop within this space. When you visit the Laughing Berry Gift Shop you will be pleased by not only the high caliber art work and retail items found within but also the décor that includes delicate and colorful fabric lamps hung from the massive beams, elegant racks and colored glass everywhere. There are also tables built of local red cedar, made by Larry Shearer especially for this shop. Added to the designer décor is a very pleasing ambience created by either Native American music or American jazz played softly on a state of the art stereo system. All of these sensations together, will create a memorable shopping experience at the Laughing Berry Gift Shop.
Perhaps the most notable items available in the shop are the necklaces, earrings and bracelets --jewelry designed and handcrafted by Lindarae Shearer. This jewelry is highly coveted by visitors from all over the world. It is jewelry that anyone can wear for any occasion and includes natural gemstones found globally, Swarovski crystals, the finest sterling silver and gold-filled findings. Most often you can find necklace and earring sets, and if you’re not buying a set today you can simply pick up three or four pairs of earrings as you like, for family and friends, and a few more for yourself.
Ms. Shearer also specializes in basketry – being a weaver of Tsimshian traditional cedar bark baskets. She also has native baskets from elsewhere in Alaska at an affordable price. Other items for sale include Native American CDs, note cards and envelopes, mugs, Metlakatla t-shirts, beads, keychains, native drums (paint your own design), sarongs, bags and some skirts.
If you find something you would like to purchase but don’t want to carry it, simply ask for our special shipping program. We will simply add a fee to the total price of the object you wish shipped and ship it immediately to your preferred destination. Fees will begin at $10 and usually are via the United States Postal Service, Priority Mail. The management will gladly accept Visa, Mastercard and Discover cards. Finally, if the Artists Village doesn’t appear to be open and you want to shop, please call Lindarae at 907 723-9835 or 907 886-4133 and she will be very happy to open especially for you at any time.
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