Bon Castor

Bon Castor, which means "by hand," is the funky vision of Amy Knoll, who opened her New Orleans shop in the Bywater in March 2012. Situated in the 3200 block – along a hopping stretch of Burgundy, near Suis Generis and Bud Rip's and across the way from Maurapas Foods – Knoll's shop showcases handmade crafts, repurposed textiles and fashion statements, gifts and jewelry, all made by local hands. What might you find at this cheery spot that showcases a fluid array of work by 80-plus artists and artisans? Beautiful dresses from Esther Rose, asymmetrical minis with unhemmed edges, tulle and sequin fringe or party dresses with twists of fabric that dance across a frock straight out of A Midsummer Night's Dream - You have to try them on, as there are no sizes, just imagined perfect fits. Repurposed art, like New Orleans-centric Scrabble tile earrings and vinyl records turned into whimsical clocks by Bayou St. John artist Judy Gamache Digeorge - She is a fixture on the local arts festival circuit and even takes custom orders. It's all fun and quirky and offbeat, which means Bon Castor is perfectly New Orleans.