Meet Frances DeLaune | Owner and Designer of FaerieThings

We had the good fortune of connecting with Frances DeLaune and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Frances, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The best way i know how to teach is by example. I wanted to tell my son that he could do anything he wanted when he grew up just like any other parent. And the only way i knew how to show him this was true to was to achieve my own goals. Teach him anything can be possible with hard work.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
FaerieThings was definitely not easy. To be honest most of my art started because i was poor. I devoured fantasy books and movies growing up. There were so many things i wanted but couldnt afford so i would make them for myself. Birthdays and holidays i would make art for my friends and family. When i moved to New Orleans i was still making alot of art for myself and others and i had several people inquire where i sold my pieces at. It had never occurred to me that anyone would want it, or that i could make a living that way. I went to local markets and stores but it hadnt even crossed my mind that that kind of life was available to me. It seemed like some kind of surreal fantasy. I made a handful of things and with the encouragement of my best friend Christian i decided to do a couple of small local markets. I had a blast! I was hooked! I was working in a kitchen at the time full time. And had been for many years. I knew thats not what i wanted forever but i felt like i had finally found something that fulfilled me. And you tell your kids they can be anything, and here i am toiling at a job i was burnout from and tired all the time. How can i tell him he can achieve his dreams when im not even achieving my own? So i started making jewlery and other art every night after my shifts in the kitchen. Doing markets onthe weekends. Until i was slowly but surely picked up by several stores on top of the markets i was doing. I was able over rhe course of several years inch closer snd closer to Faeriethings bieng my main source of income and my “day” job bieng supplemental. Its been a long hard but fulfilling journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
City park there’s so many things in the park noma, the sculpture garden rhe botanical garden. The vampire cafe and boutique. Dark matter. Miette on magazine carries amazing local art. Broad theater. The Allways Lounge or Reduxx or Santos for drinks and local shows. The beauty and the curse of New Orleans is that there is always something to do youll just never have enough time for it all even if you live here.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My son Jareth. Hes been my number one fan and inspiration since he was born. But when i started FaerieThings he came and worked every market with me for several years. Always supportive when i was working a full time job while i was also getting FaerieThings off the ground.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/faeriethings

Facebook: www.facebook.com/handmadefaeriethings

Other: Tiktok @faeriethings