You got a great spot early on the route. You caught a signature throw from your favorite parade, whether that’s a glittery Muses heel or a prized Zulu coconut. You stumbled back home in one piece, intact after Mardi Gras. You fought the good fight.
But now that the fun is over, what are you going to do with these bags of beads just laying around the house? Sure, you could throw them away. Or, because you’re guilty about the hours you stood outside in order to catch the plastic trinkets, you’ll shove the bogs into the back of your closet, never to see the light of another Mardi Gras day again.
But, we’ve got better ideas. There are plenty of places to recycle your beads around town, or if you’re a budding artist/entrepreneur, there’s even places on Etsy that sell bead art.
St. Michael Special School
Located in the Lower Garden District, this school for students with special educational needs uses the beads at their Joy Activity Center. Many of the school’s graduates return here to help sort the beads and get paychecks for their work! Click here for more information and donation hours.
Arc of Greater New Orleans
For more than 30 years, ArcGNO has made jobs for people with intellectual disabilities by collecting, sorting and repackaging beads and throws. If you’re lucky you can find specialty beads for specific krewes at their Metairie store. Click here for more information and donation hours.
Become an artist
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Happy Kings’ Day everyone! #mardigras #mardigrasbeadart #neworleans #kingcake #kingsday 👑
Okay, so it’s out of the box, but investing in canvas, a hot glue gun and an Etsy store isn’t that expensive. A quick search on Etsy brings up art from $30-$300.
Know anywhere else taking bead donations? Email us at [email protected] or reach us on social media @VeryLocalNOLA
