I usually stroll through the French Market in New Orleans just to do the "touristy" thing and maybe pick up a T-shirt or two, some sunglasses and a new wallet.
It's not a Flea Market in the sense that you might find any antiques or anything
vintage. It's almost all just the same stuff you'll find in all the hundreds of tourist
shops in the French Quarter. But! Once in a while you find a Diamond in the
rough!
This guy, David, was peddling these little Gems! We got to talking and it turns out
his girlfriend takes the pictures then they make these Coasters in their studio, Milk
Studio. Cool huh?! I bought a set of six picking out some neat Neon Signage
images from New Orleans and the surrounding area. After making my purchase
and having a pleasant conversation with David, we continued perusing the market
only to find "lesser" versions that didn't seem to have the same authenticity in
other booths. I guess these other vendors noticed how cool these were and
wanted to get in on some of that action!
As an "It Really Is A Small World" aside, I was having dinner downtown here in St.
Louis at a new joint on 10th Street at Washington Ave. called Stefano's when a
conversation about New Orleans came up. Turns out the server, Laura, had lived
there in the recent past. She showed me a cool shirt with a screenprint of an
image of a N. O. water meter cover on it. I mentioned having bought some
coasters at the French Market and she knew immediately what coasters I was
talking about as well as the guy, David, selling them! They were good friends!
Well, since St. Louis is New Orleans' sister city, I guess it shouldn't be such a
surprise.
Bonus; here are some more pics of the French Market. In case ya can't get down
there any time soon!
Ok, I admit it.
ReplyDeleteI'm a freak for old Neon signage.
Gotta' check their website now and see how much money I'll end up spending on these babies.
Those are really cool. I grew up in Louisiana, and New Orleans is one of my favorite cities. I have a good bit of oddball New Orleans art in my house...a pottery box that's an exact replica of Marie Laveau's tomb, a ceramic rendition of Central Grocery mounted on part of a wooden crate, some framed prints by James Mitchell-Michalopoulos.
ReplyDeleteWhat cool coasters! Retro Roadhusband and I are hoping to go to New Orleans some time this fall - I'll put the flea market (and the coasters) on our list of things to check out!
ReplyDelete