Blaines is the only independent art store in Anchorage . It's a valuable gem . They carry so many…read moreitems that you can't find anywhere else . Blaines Art has a coffee bar and a customs frame shop . They offer art classes throughout the year for artists of all levels and ages . The staff is friendly and knowledgeable . They are all artists themselves . Blaines is open 7 days a week . They also have a nice collection of cards and gifts for everyone . Of course you can always find art by local artists on display and quite often it will be the work of the employee helping you . Blaine's is a wonderful place to be inspired !

Blaine's Art scams their customers left and right with overpriced art supplies that can often be…read morefound for much lower prices at better art stores like Blick's, Jackson's, and even Ebay. What is Amanda thinking by charging her customers an outrageous $400 for a set of color pencils that can be bought for $200 or less on Ebay and Amazon? Customer service is also pretty crappy here, since I was always treated like an "outsider artist" instead of the professional that I've been for years. Amanda is also a classist bigot who snubs customers that she feels are not bourgeoisie enough for her snobbish standards, which makes her no better than a common racist. Anyway, if you want the best art supplies for decent prices? Then I highly recommend Blick's, Jackson's, Ebay, or even Amazon over Amanda's overpriced inferior establishment. If you want your art displayed on the wall? I also recommend you display anywhere but at Blaine's, because no serious art buyer will ever see it at Blaine's and it will be displayed next to mediocre garbage art that not even a mother would display on a refrigerator door. Do you really want your $500 oil paintings to be seen next to refrigerator marker art that no one would even pay $10 for? I don't think so~

I took an alcohol ink class here and really enjoyed myself. It is a small studio tucked away in…read moreSpenard. There was four of us so it was nice and intimate and a lot of interaction with our teacher unlike other painting companies in town. Alcohol ink was new to me, but I'm fairly pleased with my outcome! The host was vibrant, talkative and engaging. She let us play and test the waters with the inks before diving right in to create our masterpiece. She offers so many different classes; alcohol ink, wood burning, water color, acrylics, terrarium building, succulent classes. I really look forward to joining in on another class. The wood burning in particular sounds fun! Price range is $50-60 which is about average. It's totally worth it to me because of the smaller class size and intimate atmosphere about it. Did I mention it was a sip and paint?! Yep! She provides snacks and wine! I divulged in the Moscato :)

I am giving this company another review as the owner contacted me on Sept 4th and apologized…read moreprofusely about the Alaska State painting. She indicated that the instructor was new and she was hesitant to utilize her again after that event. She did give me a full reimbursement and extended the invitation to give the studio another try. I have not yet went back as I have recently returned from vacation, but I will. Honestly, just having the owner make contact and offer as well as comply with a full reimbursement speaks volumes. There could be a lot of other ways this was handled but I think the owner did it right.

I went here to see some photography (sponsored by Recover Alaska). The prints were from various…read morephotographers throughout the state. They were simple, clean, and beautiful with minimal editing (kind of a "photojournalist" style). The space is in a tricky, oddball location (the "yellow submarine" building downtown, you know the one!) but the interior is bright, minimalist, and pleasing on the eyes. The refreshments on hand were also pretty great. Would love to come here for a photo show again...would love to have some of my own work on these walls...someday.

I really like to support local artists, and I have been fortunate to see great shows in Anchorage…read moreby Enzina Marrari. Recently, she produced a performance called of relation, and it took place at Out North, which is a first for me at this venue. I know Out North used to be in another place that is now Cyrano's, but this spot seems fitting. The main floor is a large open room with photographs, of what I'm assuming are this month's art show, and the performance took place in 3 rooms upstairs from here. Overall, it was a good show and a good time. I would like to come here again, and maybe even see the other businesses this sidewalk mall houses. It's old and has other oddball merchants, like an Ombudsman, that seem as interesting as this venue. Would check out again.

I have had the pleasure of taking two classes from Turnagain Ceramics over the past few years and I…read morekeep wanting to take more! The staff that work at Turnagain Ceramics are very encouraging and skillful. I am always amazed seeing what they are creating, jealous too! The classes are reasonably priced considering all the materials and instruction provided. I look forward to being able to take more classes and improve my skill. Parking here is easy as they have their own little lot.

What a great place!! Warm, friendly staff and an amazing selection of clays and supplies for sale…read more A little oasis.

I am so impressed with the work they did on my four prints. The process was simple and fun. We…read morewere greeted by one of the employees, who offered many suggestions for matting and frames. He took his time holding different options up to our prints and didn't rush us as we tried to decide on combinations. The four pictures were done in just three days and the pictures look far more expensive than they were, thanks to superb framing. At $30 per picture, it was by far a better value than trying to do this myself.

I've taken several classes with Julie. I love that there's something so fun and full of variety…read moreright here in the heart of Spenard! She also does off site paintings throughout Anchorage and Eagle River. I enjoy the various crafts and projects available. There is literally something for everyone at Julie's studio. Classes available that I haven't done are furniture upcycle, wooden layered paintings, large resin projects, etc.

Julie is a great teacher. Her projects are beautiful and fun to create. I look forward to see…read morewhat new projects she crates to do.

I'd been wanting to visit The Book Shelf for years, finally had a chance to stop in! It was a tad…read moreoverwhelming, but as someone who loves a good book hunt, it was fun. Books are organized by genre. There are piles on the floor and in boxes near the labeled shelves. There were newer books mixed in with lots of older books. Owner was knowledgeable about inventory. Next time I need to drop off my kids and have a couple hours to myself! Perusing piles and piles of books is my happy place. Wonder if the owner is looking for a helper who is willing to be paid in books... ;)

A well stocked store. I love searching for books, so I enjoy the stock and sifting through the…read moreinventory. I rearrange books (so authors' books are together) while I'm perusing and always leave with a book.

This is a cool store for the aspiring kitchen warrior…read more It really has everything one could ever need for cooking, and so much more. Le Creuset, blenders, juicers, toasters, espresso machines. It's everything I could ever want as an aspiring meal artiste. It is actually hard to catalogue everything. There are greeting cards, puzzles, games, candles. There are random posters, and signs hung up along the staircase up to the second floor where many more items, usually on sale, are located. Two particular enjoyments: 1. The chocolate bar selection. All sorts and types of flavors. Mint, caramel, and my favorite, potato chip. 2. The popcorn kernel selection. Every type of kernel for popping along with all sorts of ingredients to sprinkle upon the exploded kernels. The employees genuinely seem to enjoy their job. They appear friendly with each other and the customers.

Metro cooks is a cool store to spend an hour in. They have sooo many things you can buy. One side…read moreof the store is everything you could possibly want for a kitchen. The other side is fun gift tho gs and other fun stuff you must need for your kitchen. Over the years I have bought a plastic deviled egg holder, a deviled egg squirter thing, a pan rack you have from your wall, extra hooks for that rack, cast irons, various vegetable containers that look like your veggies, a cheese plate and knife, a popcorn bucket that separates all the kernels for you, lots of gift items like unique mugs, cat stuff, stickers, you name it you will find something for a gift if you look here. They are actually competitive in pricing when I google something in store Amazon has it for the same price or maybe the store is 1 or 2 bucks more. But hey no shipping charges and it feels good to shop local. Upstairs is the clearance items so dont forget to browse up there.