COOL STUFF YOU REALLY NEED!!! Mardi Gras 2004 Calendar Available Now!!! The calendar showcases the photography of Mitchel L. Osborne. Mardi Gras has fascinated Mr. Osborne for the 30 years he has photographed the spectacle. The calendar exhibits the talent and vision Mr. Osborne has brought to carnival photography. His photographs of New Orleans, the Gulf South, Louisiana and international destinations also appear frequently in national magazines and books. Mr. Osborne has previously published and photographed the books; Mardi Gras-A Celebration, New Orleans- The Passing Parade and the ?Steamboatin? calendars. Available on-line @ New Orleans Gumbo Publishing Beege WelbornBeege Welborn offers some really awesome handpainted Mardi Gras OrnamentMardi Gras Glassware. 12oz & 19oz Goblets, 28oz Carafe/Decanter, Martini Glasses, Cheese domes, Cake plates and even Christmas Ornaments. Pricing is on her website . Michael Hunt?s art career began at the young age of 17 while still a student at Louisiana State University. His diverse portfolio of limited edition prints and posters range from graphic, whimsical imagery to intricately detailed works. Hunt Graphics, Inc. has become the world's foremost publisher of collectable "Mardi Gras Art" Throughout his website you will find some of the most lavish and sought after limited edition prints ever created. Many were specifically designed as commemorative treasures for the exclusive members of Mardi Gras' greatest parading organizations. Now these prints are being made available to you in the extremely limited quantities that remain. Enjoy surfing the fascinating world of Mardi Gras art and art form that has become respected and coveted by collectors worldwide. HUNT GRAPHICS & MARDIGRASIMAGES.COM The BIG question every year is "What Bead Set is gonna be HOT?" Well, I know one that is bound to be a sure-fire winner. The 42in Parrot w/ Purple/ Green/ Gold/ Red Berries. Each $3.99 3 Pc Bag $7.90 2 Dz Case $59.85 I expect that the Parrot will be right up there with last year's cool "Flamingo Beads". Available from Europes Finest >SPECIALTY BEADS> This is one (Jester) of the six new Zulu coconuts of the 2004 Mardi Gras Season. These coconuts are special because they are REAL COCONUTS, prepared entirely by hand and made to last for a lifetime. Each is carefully hand carved by a current member and coconut Master of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, in New Orleans, Louisiana. Your souvenir is hand numbered and sold with an Artist signed certificate of authenticity. Only a current member can issue a "REAL" Authenticated ZULU COCONUT to you. Order on-line at: Mardi Gras Coconuts A Timely Piece for Mardi Gras 2004 2004 MedallionEach medallion is hand poured of poly resin into a mold made from a hand sculpted master. Then each one is hand painted. Each one weighs about 3 ounces, so it's not heavy on the neck. They come in a variety of colors, and each custom medallion is painted only after you order it. Note that when the medallion is turned sideways, it says 2004. 2003 MedallionThe eyelet is poured into the molding process. They have a slight flexibility which makes them virtually unbreakable. Each comes on a 33 inch set of beads. Prices and options @ My Texas Art.Com Second LineThe Mardi Gras MisChief Gallery has released the Second Line MisChief with an Umbrella along with it's partner the Second Line MisChief with a Jester Staff. Artist Born and her MisChief Gallery at 2582 Front Street in Slidell, Louisiana were featured on WWL Channel 4 with Frank Davis's Eye on Carnival Series. If you haven't seen the MisChief Creations you can visit the Gallery website at www.mardigrasmischief.com . A must see one of a kind collectible that is sure to bring a smile. The 2004 Mardi Gras Poster by MOUSIE," is now previewed on her Home Page . Mardi Gras Monarch and the Lazy Suitor" Signed and Numbered Limited Edition 22 x 29" Giclée Print Looking for something different in a King Cake? Try Coffee & Kingcakes ... Zulu King Cake. This and traditional cakes are featured on their website. In an attempt to capture the spirit of this great parade, they have created the Zulu King Cake. It is made of a Danish dough, filled with cocoa-coconut cream, topped with traditional purple, green and gold sugar, drizzled with chocolate icing, and sprinkled with coconut. cool masks Mansour Designs specializes in sculptured leather masks, crowns, headdresses and hats. The picture to the left showcases their fleur-de-lis masks. Each piece is a custom creation and no two are exactly alike. "Masking" should be mandatory for Fat Tuesday and these masks are incredible!!! New Mardi Gras Novel At last there is a novel which tells what Mardi Gras in New Orleans is really like. Some novels contain a chapter about Mardi Gras, always set in the French Quarter. In Return to Mardi Gras half of the novel is set a t Mardi Gras and not only describes Mardi Gras in the French Quarter, but describes how Mardi Gras is celebrated across New Orleans by the locals. It describes the family nature of Mardi Gras for the locals and the neighborhood parties along the parade route and across New Orleans. The book may be ordered over the web or purchased in New Orleans area bookstores. Mardi Gras Mask The Little Shop of Fantasy can be found tucked away on ru Dumaine in the heart of the historic French Quarter in old New Orleans. Their website and store offer a variety of masks made of papier maché, leather, fibers, plaster, and cloth. They are adorned with feathers, jewels, fabric, sequins, and anything else you can imagine. They also carry a large line of Boas, Wings, Tiaras, and other accessories by our own designers and others. Want to show your team support at Mardi Gras? Mardi-Gras-Beads.Com has official NFL Mardi Gras beads for all your favorite teams. DynamicPlaza.com brings to you the finest quality collection of hand-painted masks, jewelry, limited edition heads and gift baskets, in a variety of designs that are truly unforgettable. Our products are made of the highest quality materials and are hand-painted and assembled by highly skilled artists.To ensure the true authenticity of each piece, each piece has been signed by the artist that painted it. boxersOh sure, anyone can wear some beads and a funny hat but, the real Mardi Gras Diehard has Mardi Gras "boxers" . Also new at Shushan's Mardi Gras Boutique are men's ties, stud sets for tuxedo's and embroidered "Casey Coleman" Mardi Gras shirts. They also have available the HOT new "boob beads"!!! Available on their web site or in their store in Jackson Square. Several varieties of Mardi Gras socks are available on the web at Mardi Gras Socks . They could make an interesting new throw if bought in bulk. Planning a party and need some Andouille or Alligator Sausage? You could try Krogers ;-) or Zachary Dupre's Cajun Market . They also carry Cajun and Voodoo supplies as well as Mardi Gras videos and beads. Click here to order Mardi Gras Records has just released Super Mardi Gras on CD and cassette. With classics like "Take Your Dreunken Ass Home" you can't go wrong. Click an underlined track to hear a RealAudio sound sample. 1. Mambo #5 - Rockin' Dopsie Jr. and the Mambo Kings 2. King Cake - Big Al Carson 3. Let's Party - It's Mardi Gras 4. Bourbon Street - The Gumbo Kings 5. The Second Line/The Back Dorr - Beau Jocque and the Zydeco High-Rollers 6. The Mardi Gras Song - Davell Crawford 7. They All Asked For You - Rockin' Dopsie Jr. and the Zydeco Twisters 8. Sew, Sew, Sew - The Flaming Arrows Mardi Gras Indians 9. Mambo #5 (Instrumental) - The Mambo Boys 10. The Soulful Saints - Magnificent 7ths Brass Band 11. We Danced at the Mardi Gras - Magnificent 7ths Brass Band 12. Just Chillin' - Magnificent 7ths Brass Band 13. Take Your Dreunken Ass Home - Big Al Carson Interested in buying or selling Mardi Gras Memorabilia? Try E-Bay Online Auction or Yahoo Online Auction . Type in Mardi Gras under the search engines and you can find almost anything. mampau3.jpg (5765 bytes)Mam Papaul's has added several new varieties of it's famous King Cake Mix. They have the King Cake Mixes in Chocolate and Praline Filling now available, and their newest additions are the Red Velvet Cake and Lemon Velvet Cake. Order online or pick one up at most gift shops/stores. Yummy!!! Mardi Gras Arts has a full line of handmade leather masks Mask. The one to the left is the Mardi Gras King model designed by Sarah Biondo. Her website and store in St. Louis, Missouri carry masks, paintings, sculpture and jewelry. Be sure to check out her Batman and Robin masks. Very cool! Sarah Biondo. Her website and store in St. Louis, Missouri carry masks, paintings, sculpture and jewelry. Be sure to check out her Batman and Robin masks. Very cool! 1999 Poster Art Cardz presents an interesting new poster . Each side is 12X18 inches tall and works independently or together as one large poster. Incredible color and detail. Suitable for framing. Designed in the French Quarter by Faith and Tye R. Farrell. Check out the new line of Mardi Gras apparel from www.beadwhore.com . Hats, Shirts and accessories are designed by and for the ladies. Also beads, tattoos and other cool stuff. Doggy DudsThe best dressed pooch needs his own Mardi Gras costume. Available from Doggy Duds in several designs. Mardi Gras is much more fun when you participate rather than observe. Masking is a big part of the experience. The masquerade mask on the left can be worn and later displayed and is available from Goblin Art and More . Half masks are comfortable and can create just the effect you wish. Grandstand seating for Mardi Gras parades go on sale early January through Ticketmaster. Prices range fromChip $5 each for day parades to $10 each for major night parades. Available from Ticketmaster at (504) 522-5555. Plan on paying some major handling fees since Ticketmaster breaks each parade down to a separate purchase. These prices are still cheaper than having a pick-pocket clean you out in the crowds on Canal. I suggest you request Lafayette Square which is directly across from Gallier Hall and the reviewing stands. Tickets go on sale in mid-January. Have a Mardi Gras related product or notice? Send comments, additions or dead links to Send comments, additions or dead links to design@compucast.com Also Visit MARDI GRAS WEB SITES Mardi Gras Hints Mardi Gras News Cool Web Links