Thunderbird Totems was a family owned business. Beginning in 1989 in Homer, Alaska. Gayle and Alan DeGraffenried, and two of their sons, Dana and Mark, carved the totem poles from various drift woods including yellow cedar found on the beaches of Alaska. They were 100% made in Homer, Alaska. Reproductions were made of high pressure urethane.

Many of the totem poles are miniaturized reproductions of original historic totem poles still on exhibit in totem pole parks and museums from South East Alaska to Canada. These totems have authentic legendary story cards attached to them.

Some of the totem poles are original carvings that they designed. These totems have a story of the history of the totem pole attached to them.

Alan and Gayle are parents of 8 children, which kept Gayle busy at home for 35 years. After moving to Alaska in 1982, Gayle felt a need to "help out". She took a carving class at the college in Homer, where she learned to carve her first totem, the #1 Thunderbird. Alan, Dana, and Mark helped carve other totems also.

New items such as dolls, eskimo faces, knives, and jewelry will be added as each project is finished. So, visit us often to see what is happening at DeGraffenried Enterprises.

A coloring book is also available. Gayle drew all the pictures, and Alan wrote the stories that tell about the pictures. "Adventures in Coloring" has pictures of children doing Alaskan activities, and pictures of Alaskan animals.

The necklaces are made of bone beads, featuring moose and caribou antler beads, and high quality molded bear claws and eagle talons.

Alans' knives are made for the true Alaskan hunter. The blades are made of high quality, edge holding steel ,and handles are of carabou or moose antler.

Click on the buttons to the left to select a catagory to look at.