Artist’s Market

Not only does this place seem to have something for everyone (beads for my wife, a typewriter for me) but the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the area.
The place is larger than it looks, and the prices were very reasonable. This is a place you have to check out next time you are in the French Quarter. Browse through what they have, you will find gold here if you dig a bit.

I make a point of coming here every year when I visit — the selection is constantly changing and I always find something to bring home. There are great, unique art pieces at every price point. A lot of local artisan shops feel overly curated or overly fancy — this one is much homier and comfortable — it’s easy to spend an hour or so just browsing through.

Total eclectic fun! I found this tucked-​away place by happenstance as I grimaced through the Market (ugh!) and was immediately drawn over.
Super cool friendly cat and proprietor. Every surface covered in local art and handiwork. Truly something for everyone. If you don’t want to buy keepsakes and souvenirs that were actually made in China, head on over here.
At the other end of the store is a treasure trove of beads (jewelry type, NOT the mardi gras crap), tumbled glass, and many lovely bits. I found 2 pieces of glass and the awesome gentleman there wire wrapped them right on the spot. I now have 2 cool pendants for my silver chains that were not only bought in NOLA, but created right in front of me. NICE! Excellent price too!

The Artist Market is across the street from the French Market. This is where you should be shopping. Escape the cheap plastic goods that are sold by the barrel in the French Market and pick up some real New Orleans keepsakes here. This is a store stocked with pieces by local artists and is packed with every kind of art imaginable. Beads, sculpture, jewelry, paintings, metal art, home accessories; it can all be found in this store. There is something for everyone and every budget. This is a store that you need to take your time in to wander; there is so much to see. This is truly a place to find a unique reminder of our unique city.

This is a great way to mingle with some locals if you’re a traveler — make your way through the craziness of the French Market to this hidden gem. Nothing but local artists here with much to share in a free form environment.
You can wander around at your own pace through the shotgun style building. There’s so much to see, touch, and even taste here. I’ve spent many Sunday afternoons doing just that and I still don’t feel like I’ve had my full.
There are paintings, iron work, glass work, jewelry, old coins, and much much more. Work your way through to the Decatur end and you’ll run into a few more eclectic stores that are worth checking out.
After all this exploring, relax for a bit at Turtle Bay across the street.

What’s not to love about this place?
This place is unpretentious and super colorful. The staff is knowledgeable and more than happy to help you out but will never creepily stalk you as you meander throughout the store or gawk at their wares. The place is jam-​packed with art so it looks like a garage sale at first but upon entering you’ll realized that it is well-​organized and super clean.
They have molded art glass in all the shades of the rainbow in unique forms and in the classic New Orleans symbols (the fleur de lis, waterworks sewage drain covers, etc.). Paintings by many different artists, including my favorite, Stuart South, come in all sizes and you can walk away with a quality original oil for as little as $ 45. If you don’t have enough cash for paintings, large glass art or ceramics you can pick up some of their refreshingly fun beads, hand-​made wine-​stoppers or a piece of fused glass jewelry.

I am pretty sure that this is the place that has lots of beads and if it is, I loved it, they had a great selection of glass and gemstones along with a bunch of local artist-​made jewelry, and more local art in back.

Don’t be distracted by the lame flea market that happens along French Market on the weekends. Instead, go to the Artist’s Market which is just across the street. Lots of great local art. I got a wrought iron rat head with a ring through his snout (towel holder), and a bracelet made of bone (I didn’t ask where the bone came from, but I figure since I eat meat I should be willing to utilize bone). They also have pretty stuff– beautiful paintings and lots of fleur-​de-​lis– don’t let my purchase choices fool you. Very helpful staff.