If during Jazz Fest the others in your party are down with you breaking away from the music to shop, consider yourself lucky. My significant other was surprisingly tolerant, indulging me in 45 minutes of art booth hopping (with bonus lackluster nods to my incessant, “Isn’t this cool?”). The live funk beating in the background was invigorating – like a shopping soundtrack I never knew I needed. I was dancing between vendors and funking it up with my credit card one booth at a time. The only issue I had was time; even with the 15-minute extension my kind husband agreed to. So, if you enjoy discovering new artists and one-of-a-kind crafts, 45 minutes will not be satisfactory. Between chatting up the artists, deciding what to buy, short dance breaks and people watching, you are going to need closer to 1.5 hours.
If you don’t have the time, why not plan ahead? Check out the pink stars I put on the map below and note the three main shopping areas to peruse; Congo Square African Marketplace, Contemporary Crafts and Louisiana Marketplace. I’ve pointed out some of my favorite vendors for this weekend below, along with their corresponding tent. Just remember to stay open-minded, set aside the time and by all means don’t look for anything specific. Enjoy the Fest!
Mercury Lab Guitars
Aluminum crafted guitars
Tent F
K.Lamberti Designs
Wearable art jewelry
Tent F
Lalo
Handmade, sustainable, wearable art
Tent G
Designs by Masue
Lifestyle brand, using organic designs inspired by nature
Tent J
Audiowood
Artistic, sculptural turn tables
Tent I
Pink Cheeks Studios
Soft sculptures, dolls, wall art
Tent D
Bergeron Woodworks
Wood frames and furnishings
Tent K
Port Studio
Reclaimed wood furniture
Tent E
Juneau Metalworks
Mother-daughter artist team making organic and whimsical pieces of artisan jewelry
Tent F
Sigourney Morrison
Hand sewn accessories
Tent F
Sunugal La Classe
French Market based clothes and accessories from Senegal
Tent W
Ragar Grillier Willis– Angel Bands
Unique leather and stone jewelry and accessories
Tent X
Anaya Bazaar
Morrocan clothing, crafts and jewelry
Tent U
Robbiewear
Unique handcrafted leather accessories
Tent Q
Nafi Hand Made
Handmade woven accessories
Tent N
Ongoing Shopping Events:
Bogo Sale (ends tonight) at Home Malone
25% off all sale items at Little Miss Muffin (Code: 25OFFMAY2) through Sunday, May 7th.
Cino for Cinco Promotion (5 treatments for $5,000) book by May 31st, Bopp Dermatology
