cool crafts on louisiana road trip?

August 29, 2007 10:41 AM

driving from port arthur to new orleans for my wife's 40th. can anyone recommend craftsfolk, artisans, jewelry or clothing designers along the way which could provide "that special gift" i am trying to find her? im relying on the "hive mind's" sense of "cool." go for it! i'd love to be able to arrive in some small town, check out some small shop and miraculously have that perfect something waiting there for her. any ideas?
posted by oigocosas to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (4 answers total)

Oigocosas, why are you starting in PA? Are you flying into the Beaumont Municipal Airport? If so, here are some places in Beaumont - Sans Souci on Phelan Road, antique stores on Calder between 4th - 9th Streets, and the Art Studio .

We like downtown Lafayette, LA a lot. It's got lots of local art and things, and some good restaurants as well. They put on by far the best free music festival in the south, but that's not for another 8 months or so.

Baton Rouge should also have some cool neighborhoods near LSU, but I'm not sure about any particular stores.

I'm afraid someone from Napa may be a tad disappointed with our down market ways, but overall the drive is nice - just be sure to talk to lots of people and eat at every scary boudain place you can see from IH10.
posted by pomegranate at 11:10 AM on August 29, 2007

Caffrey Gallery in Baton Rouge
Grandmother's Buttons in St. Francisville
Vermilionville
Tabasco Country Store
Find other ideas at Country Roads Magazine
posted by ColdChef at 11:32 AM on August 29, 2007

Or, if you're looking for something unique: give her some wood.
posted by ColdChef at 11:37 AM on August 29, 2007

Louisiana Pottery is in Sorrento, about an hour outside of New Orleans on I-10. [fwiw, the owner leases the space from my dad]
posted by ajr at 7:23 PM on August 29, 2007