<![CDATA[The Island Octopus - Blog]]>Wed, 01 Jul 2026 02:25:14 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[February News]]>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:50:23 GMThttps://www.islandoctopus.com/blog/february-news9352665
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Our events this month include Fort Myers Art Walk, Artisan & Antiques Market at Blinking Owl Books, a hedgehog drawing class at Sanibel Library, and Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair - view all upcoming events on our Local Events page. 

We have a few new Valentine cards that we'll bring to these events, and they are also available in the shop!

On Patreon this month, we will be discussing our current art projects and releasing a new paper nautilus sticker design.

This month we will be focusing on some new art projects for the year, including finishing a commissioned project and starting a new illustration series.

Photo above: Sunset over Cabbage Key Island, FL
]]><![CDATA[January News]]>Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:30:00 GMThttps://www.islandoctopus.com/blog/january-news6376113
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Our events this month include the Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair - view all upcoming events on our Local Events page. We will be sharing our holiday card designs, a few new stickers, and more at these events.

On Patreon this month, we will be discussing our current art projects, sharing some photos from a recent hike, and releasing a new sea turtle sticker design.

This month we will be focusing on some new art projects for the year, including finishing a commissioned project and starting some new illustrations.

Photo above: Black bat flower spotted at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota
]]><![CDATA[December News]]>Sun, 07 Dec 2025 18:00:00 GMThttps://www.islandoctopus.com/blog/december-news3686880
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Our events this month include Fort Myers Art Walk, Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair, and Saturday Crafterday at Sanibel Library - view all upcoming events on our Local Events page. We will be sharing our holiday card designs, a few new stickers, and more at these events.

On Patreon this month, we will be discussing our current art projects and releasing 2 new sticker designs.

This month we will be wrapping up a few projects and deciding on some artwork goals for the new year.

Photo above: Sand sculpture by Bruce Wangh on Fort Myers Beach

]]><![CDATA[November News]]>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 21:00:00 GMThttps://www.islandoctopus.com/blog/november-news4574429
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Our events this month include Fort Myers Art Walk, Sanibel Community House Holiday Bonanza, and the Merry & Bright Market at Sundial Resort - view all upcoming events on our Local Events page. We have a couple new holiday card designs that will be available at our upcoming events, as well as quite a few new sticker designs. 

On Patreon this month, we will be discussing our current art projects and releasing some small sticker designs to use with our holiday cards.

Photo above: A view of Lettuce Lake, near Tampa
]]><![CDATA[October News]]>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 23:54:31 GMThttps://www.islandoctopus.com/blog/october-news5760135
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Our events this month include Saturday Crafterday at the Sanibel Library and the Edison Ford Estates Fall Festival - view all upcoming events on our Local Events page.

During October, we will be working on some Halloween art projects. Keep an eye on our social media for lots of new art! There will be a shop update later this week with some Halloween-themed items as well as a holiday card pre-sale. Several pieces are also displayed at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center for their Dark Arts exhibit this month.

On Patreon this month, we will be discussing our current art projects and releasing several new Halloween sticker designs.

Photo above: Pitcher plant on our lanai
]]><![CDATA[Shell Feature: Shark Eye]]>Thu, 31 Jul 2025 18:00:00 GMThttps://www.islandoctopus.com/blog/shell-feature-shark-eye
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The most commonly found moon snail shell in Florida is the shark eye. These attractive shells are easy to spot on the beach due to their distinctive round shape. The fun spiral mimics the look of an eyeball! The shark eye shells found on the gulf coast are smaller than the shells found on the east coast of Florida. Many of the ones I've found on Sanibel are around the size of a quarter or a little larger.

Scientific name of the shark eye: Neverita duplicata
​The shark eye snail is found on sandy shores below the low tide line.
Coloring: brown, tan, orange and grey hues, often with a blue-ish center.
Size: up to about 3.5 inches

Shark eyes are predatory snails, feeding mainly on bivalves. The snails drill holes through the shell of their prey. The shark eye can be found from Massachusetts through Florida and as far south as Honduras, as well as areas of the Gulf.
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]]><![CDATA[July News]]>Sat, 05 Jul 2025 18:00:00 GMThttps://www.islandoctopus.com/blog/july-news6307658
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Our events this month include a Summer Arts & Crafts Fair at Sanibel Community House and Saturday Crafterday at the Sanibel Library - view all upcoming events on our Local Events page.

During July, we will be working on some summer art projects including holiday card ideas for the upcoming season.

On Patreon this month, we will be discussing one of our book projects, our current art projects, sharing a shell feature, and releasing a new octopus sticker design.

Photo above: Flamingos at the Key West Butterfly House
]]><![CDATA[June News]]>Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:00:00 GMThttps://www.islandoctopus.com/blog/june-news9260655
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Our events this month include Fort Myers Art Walk, Saturday Crafterday at the Sanibel Library, and an Octopus Drawing Challenge - view all upcoming events on our Local Events page.

During June, we will be working on some summer art projects and a drawing challenge! Also expect a small shop update soon.

On Patreon this month, we will be discussing one of our book projects, our current art projects, and releasing a new holographic sticker design.

Photo above: A recent photo from 6 Mile Cypress Slough Preserve
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]]><![CDATA[May News]]>Fri, 02 May 2025 15:30:00 GMThttps://www.islandoctopus.com/blog/may-news9209080
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Our only event this month is Fort Myers Art Walk  - view all upcoming events on our Local Events page.

During May, we will be working on some summer art projects and a drawing challenge!

On Patreon this month, we will be discussing one of our book projects, our current art projects, and releasing a new glitter sticker design.

Photo above: seahorse and conch shells 
]]><![CDATA[April News]]>Fri, 04 Apr 2025 18:00:00 GMThttps://www.islandoctopus.com/blog/april-news3799983
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Our event this month include a Sip and Shop at Coastal Dayz Brewery, the Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair, and a painting event at Sanibel Library - view the list on our Local Events page.

During April, we will be brainstorming some upcoming art projects and releasing the Cat Coloring Book!

On Patreon this month, we will be discussing one of our book projects, our current art projects, and releasing a new sticker design.

Photo above: a painted leaf plant on Sanibel.
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