This is a universal problem!! It all depends upon what it is you are shopping for.
What it comes down to is looking for that 'certain special' souvenir and enjoying the other shops on your quest. I certainly have spent a lot of money on useless treasures that didn't look half as good when they got home as they had in the shop.
I finally decided on doing just what you are planning to do - but something of value for the home. I try to buy something that is representative of the local culture.
If you are looking for North Coast Alaskan Native Art - try these shops in Ketchikan:
On Mission Street:
Crazy Wolf Studio: for native masks, decorative paddles, soapstone-mamoth bone carvings, decorative drums, native designed jewelry in gold, silver, ivory and arg, small authentic native carved totem poles, bentwood boxes and exquisite woven baskets and hats.
Eagle Spirit Gallery: for more expensive and larger items listed above.
On Creek Street:
Hide-a-way: Bentwood boxes, native jewelry
The Carver on the Creek: Wood Carving, native jewelry
On the Dock:
Alaska Arts and Ivory: Enter the Ketchikan Mining Company and take an escalator upstairs - turn right. This shop is on the corner of the building. You have to walk back down the stairs to get out. They carry some of the same things as the Crazy Wolf Studio and Eagle Spirit Gallery do.
VERY IMPORTANT
Be aware of the difference between "Authentic Native Art" and "Made in Alaska". If you see a tag on an item with a black background and a silver handprint - you are guaranteed that the article was crafted by an Alaskan Native. However, if you see only a tag with a large and small bear - all you know is that the article was made in Alaska.
Many of the shops are carrying small totem poles made by machine and hand painted by an Alaskan (not necessarily a Native Alaskan). These poles will not have the silver hand on them. Sometimes you will hear a shop keeper claim that the totem pole was hand carved - but forget to tell you that it was hand carved in Indonesia.
