Keeping New Orleans Afloat

Stories and Pictures

2005-11-30T09:44:00.000-08:00

Finally found a minute to share some of the stories about the vendors on this list. I am including pics to encourage more shopping.

The first store I spoke to was the sassy kids at UP (Unique Products).
She was coughing, clearly fighting off the French Quarter funk, no doubt exasperated by low spirits in general. The store is open, up and running, but there are no shoppers to speak of in New Orleans. According to the person on the other end of the phone the gawkers were filtering in, but nobody wanted to stick around after seeing the devastation.

I like UP especially because they use recycled and found materials to create unique, spirited products. The colorful talisman JuJus are a mere $9/ $18

And then there is the profoundly ironic "New Orleans Water Meter Clock" for $35 for that bitter friend you need a gift for. It's even made of scrap roofing tin for the ultimate in edgy angst. It's eerily prophetic over at UP since this is a long standing design adding a dash on New Orleans spooky to the holiday.

Go UP! 504-529-2441 (Home) 504-237 4224 (Cell) 504-568-1020 (Shop) to make their day.

While UP is edgy, there is only one King of Haunting, Beautiful devastation in my mind.

That is Clayton James Cubitt over at Operation Eden. Clayton has been on the ground capturing his journeys through this disaster. His pictures are arresting (I don't have permission to post so PLEASE follow the link) and now will benefit Habitat for Humanity in their extraordinary efforts to rebuild the region. Contribute directly to Cubitt's family on the link in the opening paragraph. The blog will move you, but be sure to read the comments to see how that has minifested into a community of action.

On a completely different wavelength, Al over at the Bayou Country Store in Slidell was a pillar of calm and steadfast determination to stand his ground.

Al and his wife rode out the storm and began almost immediately to rebuild their store and cafe. It has not been easy (to say the least). Despite the challenges of no electricity or water, no place to live, no building supplies, no business supplies, and loose critters, they kept hammering away until finally they have been able to reopen and serve the community of Slidell. They have spent every penny and a heart full of hope bringing this business back to life. I spoke to Al the night before their official 2nd Grand Opening. Beneath the weariness in his voice there was the distinct tenor of a hero who was doing more than just business.

Who needs a gift basket? 888- 571-3200

BTW: Food is a GREAT way to send some love to the Katrina evacuee on your list.

There are more stories to come.

Thanks for being a part of the e-building effort.

Drop me a line and let me know how you heard about this blog if you get a chance.

Gifts To Make Your Mouth Happy

2005-11-21T16:58:00.000-08:00

mmmmmmmmmmmm. Nothing says loving like New Orleans food! Pralines, Beignets, Coffee, HOT SAUCE!
This is a gift that is sure to make everyone SMILE. I'm hoping Santa knows how very good I have been and will be stuffing a few of these things in my stocking....

Candy Makers:

Blue Frog was voted the best candy shop in New Orleans. See why here: http://www.bluefrogchocolates.com/
Southern Candy Makers has an exclusive line of sugar free decadence as well as other goodies for your mouth here: http://www.southerncandymakers.com/StoreFront.bok

Laura's Candies In New Orleans since 1913 has extraordinary chocolate candies and the naughtiest chocolate tattoo gift set I have ever seen. Oh, and don't forget the pralines and the truffles!

man without his mule could use a hand to pull him through these times.

More listings of candy shops via "New Orleans Web Sites" (thanks!)

Coffee and Beignets:

How about some truly French Coffee and hot biegnets from Cafe DuMonde over the holidays?

We are hoping the New Orleans Coffee Exchange will be up and taking orders after Thanksgiving

General Stores:

The Bayou Country Store officially opens TODAY! and they are ready to serve you.

New Orleans Grocer: has everything a good Cajun grocery store would stock.

EVERYTHING New Orleans (to go) Food (of course) but also beads, boas, and unique NO gifts.

Picture This (Updated)

2005-11-21T11:21:00.000-08:00

New Orleans has always been a mecca for visual artists. This tragedy has displaced and disrupted as well as brought new artists to the forefront. If a picture says a thousand words perhaps it is a befitting way to support those left speechless from this disaster.

** New Additions**
From Catherine in Metarie. I have never met more determined people than those from Metarie.
The Nostalgic New Orleans Collection Shop is a visual cornicopia of sentimental images from the Big Easy. Everything from $6.25 miraculous apparition magnets to $39.99 vintage framed prints and quirky t-shirts mugs and aprons.

Leslie Addison and George Yerger have returned to New Orleans and are rebuilding their lives. Lucky for us, this includes re-opening Studio-I with a wide selection of fine art and services.

Featured Artists:

Clayton James Cubitt over at Operation Eden makes my heart sing. His personal coverage and pictures of this disaster will move you like no other. You can help out by purchasing his prints. Just follow this link.

Displaced Jonathan Ferrara is taking the show on the road. Catch him (and the 8 artists he represents) here: http://www.jonathanferraragallery.com/featured.html

Feeling sentimental about the old, historic side of NO? Check out the fine classic photography of Sandra Russell Clark

The combination of lamp posts and people seems somehow a fitting symbol of spirit for the artists of New Orleans. Ann DeLorge is one among many NO artists that have been lucky enough to rescue stock and resume business to a small degree.

We will not forget Mississippi and those disrupted artists as well.

Lists:

Art New Orleans has several interesting links. We randomly called a few web sites and found them all to be up and running and eager for business, though several of the links are still not working.

Long list of New Orleans artists web sites via "New Orleans Web Sites"

Please feel free to post a comment/ link if you know an effected artist you want everyone to know about.

Coming up next: Candy and Treats To Eat!

Music For Your Ears

2005-11-21T09:38:00.000-08:00

Downloads for your i-pod, CD's to stick in your stockings, concerts to attend, all this and more can contribute to Katrina relief while making you hum a happy tune. Some of the artists are directly effected by this disaster, others are donating time and music to raise relief money. Anyway you cut it they are singing for those who suffer and deserve our support.

Lists of aural goodies:

WWOZ - the radio heroes of New Orleans keeping spirits lifted through jazz on the airwaves despite overwhelming devastation. There is a jazz lover I know whose name I am making a small donation in as his holiday gift. He will get a card noting that he supported this station. It will make him warmer than wool socks. Please consider giving directly to WWOZ.

Real Guide : downloads, Cds, concert tix, and more all benefiting Katrina relief.

Do Something/ Hurricane Kid OMG, they are so cute! If you are in NYC on 12.13.05 get your tic for this CD release and benefit at the Knitting Factory. A mere $15. CD for sale online.

MSN Music including the Dixie Chicks single "I Hope" and a multitude of other downloads at $.99 a song. Sweet!

Please post a comment if there is another music related source you know of!

Other Lists of Vendors

2005-11-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

I am hoping to find others who have lists of hurricane effected businesses that are available for e-commerce. So far, there is one. Check back for updates......

From Hannah Smith : http://hannah.smith-family.com/nola.html

Hannah's list has some GREAT jewelry links and the only perfume shop I know of that is open in the region.

Totally Cool (Other) Stuff

2005-11-21T06:12:00.000-08:00

This is the post for people who make furniture, light fixtures, knicks, and knacky things and sell them from New Orleans.

UP (Unique Products) is up and running out of NO. I spoke with the shop this morning and they are in good spirits despite the surrounding chaos and mayhem. Check out their many pages of lovely recycled products. They've got hot odds and bobs and the best looking jujus I've ever seen.

Adding the New Orleans Craft Mafia Group here. If you are into edgy art, here's your link!

Trashy Diva Clothing (as seen on Mary Tyler Moore) re-opened on October 5th. See their store here.

Perlis has Crawfish embroidered shirts and more.

Who the Hell Are You And Why Are You Doing This?

2004-11-02T12:09:00.000-08:00

I'm just a spunky Texas neighbor trying to do some good for those effected by this hurricane season.*

We all have to do a little holiday shopping,

so why not shop those small Katrina effected businesses that are up and running?

Sometimes after a disaster it makes me sick to deal with red tape and politicians when average citizens are in need, so I decided to get off my ass and do something for the small business people in New Orleans (and surrounding areas). Nobody else was putting together an e-commerce list, so I took it upon myself to blog it. It's not perfect, but it sure feels good.

Small business owners and artists are the backbone of our economy, yet they are treated like a red headed step child and left to fend for themselves. These are the people who will truly rebuild the region.

The rest of us out here feel helpless, disgusted, and frankly the home budget is a little tight this year.

By bringing us and them together maybe we can make something really cool happen.

Hell, it's not like we can sit around waiting for the government to fix this, right?

I'm looking for quirky stuff, spunky artists, classic institutions, displaced, and those rebuilding their lives after Katrina so we can feature them and shop their wares.

PLEASE leave a comment/ link to any artists you might know.

PLEASE support these entrepeneurs!

*I do not profit from this, except that it makes me happy (and I signed up for "adsense" so if you click on the banner above they will send me a check eventually).