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THE ISLAND OCTOPUS BLOG

October 29, 2023: Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair

10/1/2023

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Fine art, handcrafted accessories and gifts, books, greeting cards, jewelry, tropical decor, delicious baked goods, and more available at Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair, October 29, 2023. 
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Sanibel Island, Florida - The Sanibel Community House will host an Arts & Crafts Fair on October 29, 2023. Shoppers will find fine art, handcrafted accessories, gifts, books, greeting cards, jewelry, shell crafts, tropical decor, and delicious baked goods from over 25 artists and makers. This free event takes place from 9 AM - 2 PM, indoors at The Community House,  2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island, Florida. The Community House will be hosting artists and makers monthly, from October through April.
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Ceramic Ornaments by Jill Keenley
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Stained Glass by Clarice Fagin
Participating artists and makers for October 29th include:
Virginia Alden
Leslie Angel
Mara Balodis
Melissa Beeck
Paulette Boudreau
Steve Canton
Renee Chastant
Gina Cotter
JoAnn Crag
Jayne Crowell
Clarice Fagin
Guna Foraker
Mike Gibson
Melissa & Matt Gindling
Vivian Kearney
Jill Keenley
Salli Kirkland
Jill Krummen
Trish Logan
Christine Marshall
Nancy Rector
Patty Rusch
Lauren Sandler
Perky Smoot
Jim & Patty Sprankle
Arlene Stigum
Lynn Walkters

Since 1927, The Community House has served as the gathering place of the islands. Many social organizations, civic groups, and clubs that first found a home here at The Community House are still here to this day. The Sanibel Community Association (SCA) is an independent nonprofit organization that operates “The Community House,” which not only serves as an event location but also offers rental space.

SanibelCommunityHouse.net
239.472.2155

The Island Octopus was created by husband-wife team Matt and Melissa Gindling. Their online gift shop offers whimsical critters, beachy art, coloring books, apparel, and handcrafted incense.

Name of Press Contact: Melissa Gindling
Melissa@islandoctopus.com
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Autumn in SWFL

9/15/2023

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Halloween porch
These breezy and rainy days in Fort Myers are feeling a bit like autumn! Here's our autumn bucket list for Southwest Florida. How many will you complete?
  • Attend a local Oktoberfest! Millennial Brewing Co. will be hosting an Oktoberfest from September 29 - October 1, 2023.
  • Enjoy an autumn-scented candle from a local maker. Check out Spirit Glow Soy Candles and Hooties Candles & Things for a great selection.
  • Pick out a pumpkin to carve or paint.
  • Go stargazing on a clear evening.
  • Try the pumpkin ice cream from Peter's German Ice Cream (Fort Myers) or from Publix.
  • Attend a Fall Festival, such as the Edison Ford Winter Estates Fall Festival. Learn more on our events page.
  • Decorate your house for fall! We love pumpkins, fresh flowers, and Halloween trinkets. Check out our friends Wild at Heart, who just opened a new flower shop in downtown Fort Myers!
  • Curl up with a good book from your local library.
  • Start your holiday shopping. See below for a selection of fun art & craft events in the area!
  • Make a pumpkin treat, such as cookies, a smoothie, bread, or soup.
  • Watch your favorite Halloween movie, or try something new. 
  • Make an autumn craft. Join us at the Sanibel Library on October 14th for a candy corn craft project! Learn more on our events page.
  • Go orange-picking at a local farm.
  • Complete the Drawtober art challenge on Instagram! The photo above is a sneak peek into our "Haunted Home" illustration which will be completed during the month of October.


The Island Octopus's Autumn Events 2023
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September News

9/8/2023

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Our events this month include the First Friday Art Walk, Wednesday Night Market at Alliance for the Arts and a "how to paint" event at Sanibel Public Library! Learn more on our local event page.

On Patreon this month, we will be releasing our next digital zine! This one will be themed Autumn Equinox. 

We will be releasing several new items in the shop this month, including some tank tops and a sticker design. We have some autumn-themed artwork in progress as well!

Photo above:  pelicans floating near Captiva Island
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August News

8/4/2023

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Our events this month include the Wednesday Night Market at Alliance for the Arts and a "how to draw" event at Sanibel Public Library! Learn more on our local event page.

On Patreon this month, we will be releasing our next digital zine! This one will be themed Sandcastles & Cephalopods. 

We have several new items in the shop, including Matt's new incense blend: Birth of Aphrodite, some new card & postcard designs, and a dolphin sticker! We are also finishing some new shirt designs. Check out the new arrivals.

Photo above:  dolphin at Tarpon Bay Beach (Sanibel)
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July News

7/3/2023

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dolphin birth of aphrodite artwork
Our events this month include the First Friday Art walk, Wednesday Night Market at Alliance for the Arts, and a "how to watercolor" event at Sanibel Public Library! Learn more on our local event page.

On Patreon this month, we will be releasing our next digital zine! This one will be themed Seashells & Sunshine. This will be the month of dolphins on Patreon and in the shop - multiple new dolphin-themed products and artwork will be created and shared.

Matt will also be releasing a new incense blend named the Birth of Aphrodite. This was delayed from last month since the artwork is taking Matt a bit longer than expected. Make sure you sign up for our newsletter for details.

Photo above: A preview of the Birth of Aphrodite incense artwork
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June News

6/10/2023

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sunset over sanibel island, June 2023
Our events this month include the Wednesday Night Market at Alliance for the Arts, a "how to draw" event at Sanibel Public Library, and a Virtual Summer Party! Learn more on our local event page.

On Patreon this month, we will be releasing our next digital zine! This one will be themed Summer Solstice.

We will be releasing several new t-shirt designs and a sticker design this month. Matt will also be releasing a new incense blend. Make sure you sign up for our newsletter for details.

Photo above: Recent sunset near Sanibel Island
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May News

5/7/2023

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Our events this month include First Friday Art Walk, Wednesday Night Market at Alliance for the Arts, and UnicornFest. Melissa also enjoyed attending Saturday Crafterday at Sanibel Library and leading a "how to draw a frog" class in the children's section. Learn more on our local event page.

On Patreon this month, we will be releasing our next digital zine! This one will be themed Pirate Gold and will feature art and sketches by Matt and Melissa, a simple incense recipe to try at home, an activity, and more.

We will be releasing a new sticker design this month, and subscribers to our Fiddler Crab, Manatee, and Gum Limbo tiers will receive one in the mail!


Photo above: Fiddler crab spotted on Sanibel Island
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April News

4/3/2023

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seashells near marco island florida
Our events this month included First Friday Art Walk, Wednesday Night Market at Alliance for the Arts, and a Riverside Pop-up Shop. Learn more on our local event page.

On Patreon this month, we will be releasing our next digital zine! This one will be themed Southwest Florida Plants and will feature art and sketches by Matt and Melissa, a simple incense recipe to try at home, a game, and more.

We will be releasing a new sticker design this month, and subscribers to our Fiddler Crab, Manatee, and Gum Limbo tiers will receive one in the mail!


Photo above: Seashells collected near Marco Island, Florida
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Celebrating the Spring Equinox

3/25/2023

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how to celebrate the spring equinox by the island octopus
The Spring Equinox (Vernal Equinox) marks the first day of spring and is one (of two) moments in the year when day and night are of nearly equal length. In the northern hemisphere the Spring Equinox usually falls on March 20. Continue reading for some fun ways to celebrate this time of year! Check out our Pinterest board for other related recipes and tutorials.

Crafts & activities:
  • Plan a garden
  • Try a new hobby
  • Make an herbal sachet
  • Do some spring cleaning
  • Sign up for a class and learn something new
  • Watch the sunrise or sunset
  • Go for a nature walk
  • Make flower cookies

Decorations and accents:
  • Tulips
  • Violets
  • Clovers
  • Daffodils
  • Butterflies
  • Rabbits
  • Hedgehogs

Food to make and enjoy:
  • Spring salad
  • Honey
  • Herbed bread
  • Lemon cookies
  • Veggies and dip

Scents:
  • Geranium
  • Grapefruit
  • Honeysuckle
  • Jasmine
  • Lemon
  • Sandalwood
  • Tangerine
  • Sweetgrass
spring equinox incense recipe
Spring Equinox incense recipe:

Ingredients:
  • Golden copal or dammar
  • Guggul or other myrrh
  • Sandalwood or palo santo
  • Honeysuckle or ylang ylang
  • Sweetgrass or angelica

​Directions:
Grind ingredients together with a mortar and pestle. Roll into small balls if desired. Smolder on top of a hot hookah charcoal. Best used during vernal rains and dewy mornings!

Feel free to experiment and use different ingredients as necessary. 
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March News

3/13/2023

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Sunset over the Caloosahatchee River
Our events this month included the Wednesday Night Market at Alliance for the Arts, the Shangri La Sunday Market and Millennial Brewing's Irish Festival. Learn more on our local event page.

On Patreon this month, we will be releasing our third digital zine! This one will be themed Spring Equinox and will feature art and sketches by Matt and Melissa, a simple incense recipe to try at home, a a feature on Sanibel Island, and more.

We will be releasing a new sticker design this month, and subscribers to our Fiddler Crab, Manatee, and Gum Limbo tiers will receive one in the mail!


Photo above: Sunset over the Caloosahatchee River

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