Bayou Threads

Specialties

Online and brick and mortar store. 529 Bourbon Street, NO, LA

Masks to wear at Carnival, Mardi Gras, Halloween and masquerade parties.

Wall décor; handmade paper Mache masks and locally hand crafted porcelain masks.

New Orleans artisinal gifts; hand painted glass ornaments, wine glasses, champagne flutes, shooters. Handmade jewelry.

Specialty T-​shirt exclusives. Sequin, rhinestone decorated tops.

New Orleans souvenir shirts and collectible gifts for men, women and children; mugs, shots, hurricane and beer glasses, decorative plates, salt and pepper shakers, dinner bells, refrgerator magnets.

Hats; fedoras, sunhats, sequined hats, baseball caps.

Bow ties, scarves.

Musical, New Orleans cuisine, Mardi Gras, party themes.

100% customer satisfaction guarantee.

History

Established in 1981.

I came to New Orleans in 1978. I was travelling around the country selling my crafts. I made reproductions of gargoyles, friezes, and small sculpted pieces caste in cement. I used various methods of creating different antiqued finishes for these artifacts. My customers included fine gift, antique and craft shops from Provincetown to Key West.

I also played in a blues band, touring the South.

I started working in a scarf dress shop in New Orleans to supplement my income. As this company grew, I was promoted to mgr., GM, and finally VP of a chain that was to include gift shops of various themes, shoe stores, a boutique, a ceramic mask manufacturer, a screen print company, a fast-​food restaurant, and a fine dining restaurant.

I opened my first shop, Bayou Threads Gifts, in 1981 at 529 Bourbon St.

I design some of the rhinestone decorated shirts that we carry, and am actively involved with suppliers in developing unique products in each category.

Goal is to carry USA and NOLA made product

Meet the Business Owner

Michael N.

Business Owner

I guess I’m a bit of a misfit. I knew that using my degrees in Chemistry, Psychology and Sociology would require a job steeped in politics. I was not interested in some cubicle or academic post where I would be constantly under the scrutiny of others. For a while, I did executive search for the Chemical industry, and played keyboards in a Blues Band. I also did some studio work. I really wasn’t happy. So I figured out a way to create my own little craft business. For about $ 250 I was able to buy what I needed at estate sales and from salvage companies, and a few things from a craft store (NOT Hobby Lobby).

For 2 years I traveled around, playing the blues in roadside dives, and making and selling my work. I cast reproductions of gargoyles, friezes and small sculpted pieces. Sometimes I had to stay at a campsite and make the castings outdoors, or down a friend’s basement.

When I arrived in New Orleans, I fell in love with this great city. It became my last stop.

I took a job, got a shop.