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THE ISLAND OCTOPUS BLOG

May News

5/4/2022

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We have lots of new arrivals in the shop this month, including Island Nag Champa Incense and Fragrance, cards, and magnets! Check out all the new arrivals here.

We have a lot of events planned for May, both in-store and throughout Fort Myers! We are also planning a "Can't Wait for Summer Party" for the end of May, which will have a virtual component. Check out all of the events here.


​Follow our journey on Patreon! On our page this month, we will be sharing a seashell coloring page, in-progress artwork, and early access to some new products!

​Photo above: A shorebird on Sanibel Island.
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April News

4/3/2022

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Mermaid's Dawn Illustration by Matthew Gindling
Our new shop is now open in Fort Myers! Learn more about the location, and check out the news article about our opening here.

We are still working on photographing and adding some of our new products to the online store. This week, our can coolers will be added, as well as some more cards. We also hope to release a new incense and perfume blend this month! Check out all the new arrivals here.


Melissa's next art show will be Saturday April 9, from 9AM-2PM at the Sanibel Community House! Join us for a variety of original art, shell and other crafts, jewelry, baked goods, cards, and more at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957. Melissa will have a selection of her original artwork, prints, and cards available.

​Follow our journey on Patreon! On our page this month, we will be sharing a bird-themed coloring page, photos of the storefront, some studio shots, as well as a discussion of The Island Octopus Press and incense commissions.

​Photo above: Mermaid's Dawn postcard by Matthew Gindling
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March News

3/6/2022

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We're super excited to announce our grand opening at Bell Tower will be this Friday, March 11! Learn more about the grand opening festivities on our event page. And if you can't make it in person, sign up for our newsletter for a special offer later this week!

We will be releasing lots of new products in our retail store this week, including the Animals of Sanibel Coloring Book, new t-shirt and tank designs, cards, can coolers, stickers, prints, postcards, and original artwork! We will also be adding these products to the online store (although it may take us a little extra time as we focus on our grand opening). 

Take a peek at the event page for lots of other fun local events coming up this month! Our next art show will be Sunday March 20, from 9AM-2PM at the 
Sanibel Community House! Join us for a variety of original art, shell and other crafts, jewelry, baked goods, cards, and more at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957. Melissa will have a selection of her original artwork, prints, and cards available!

​Follow our journey on Patreon! On our page this month, we will be sharing a gnome coloring page, behind-the-scenes photos of our retail space, a digital download, and more.

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February News

2/3/2022

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We've released lots of new items in the last few weeks, including cards, prints, incense, and stickers! Sign up for our newsletter or Patreon page to get a notification for our next release.

Our next art show will be this Saturday, February 5, from 9AM-2PM at the
Sanibel Community House! Join us for a variety of original art, shell and other crafts, jewelry, baked goods, cards, and more at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957. We will have a selection of our original artwork, prints, and Valentine cards available!

​Follow our journey on Patreon! On our page this month, we will be sharing an otter coloring page, product previews, and artwork from some ongoing projects. We also will be announcing some exciting "secret news" this weekend!

Photo above: an illustration from a new project Matt is working on.
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January News

1/6/2022

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calico scallop shell
Our online shop is now back open! We are looking forward to a shop update later this month that will include art prints, postcards, and (hopefully) some t-shirts! Sign up for our newsletter or Patreon page to get a notification for the release.

Our first art show of the year will be a Coastal Arts & Craft Fair on Saturday, January 22 in Fort Myers! Join us outdoors at University Village Shops (19800 Village Center Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33913) from 10AM-3PM.


​Follow our journey on Patreon! On our page this month, we will be sharing a spoonbill coloring page, product previews, fun photos from the Fort Myers area, and artwork from some ongoing projects. We also revised Patreon tiers, and some of the tiers have been combined so that we are able to offer more perks to each patron!

Photo above: an illustration from a new project Melissa is working on.

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December News

12/14/2021

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seashells
You may have noticed our online shop is currently closed. We have officially moved to Fort Myers, and are awaiting our inventory to be delivered to us before re-opening! We are taking some time this month to consider retail spaces, and hope to be able to share some more news about that in the next few weeks.

​Follow our journey on Patreon! On our page this month, we will be releasing a holiday-themed coloring page, sharing a digital phone background, and discussing some ongoing projects, including t-shirts and roll-on perfumes. We also hope to share some photos of the retail space we are considering for our storefront!

Photo above: seashells found during a recent beach trip.
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November News

11/4/2021

 
help wanted
Plans are coming along for our retail space in southern Florida! After much planning and research, we have realized that we can't do it alone. Having a little extra help from our supporters is essential to making this happen. We hope that you may share our dreams and would like to see us continue on our paths as artists. In addition to continuing our online sales, a physical location in southern Florida will allow us to focus on our artistic endeavors, and provide a larger studio space to create and display new artwork for you. We have endless ideas for new designs, including apparel, tropical flora & fauna-themed artwork, incense blends, and more. Learn more about our plans on our GoFundMe page!

Follow our journey on Patreon! On our page this month, we will be releasing a mermaid-themed coloring page, creating an octopus sticker sheet, sharing some previews of current art projects, and discussing how the business plans are coming along for The Island Octopus retail space!

October News

10/12/2021

 
Halloween art from The Island Octopus
New arrivals in the shop this month include: Halloween art, incense, and stickers!

Join us for two events this month:
  1. ShopColumbia, at Columbia College Chicago (Melissa's alma mater), is hosting Dark Market, a spooky collection of works by Columbia artists with an emphasis on the macabre. Find a handful of Melissa's creations at this event. The Dark Market will feature all things spooky and magical with mediums including art prints, zines, books, stickers, enamel, patches, soft sculpture and more! The Dark Market should delight anyone who loves Halloween or hand made, one of a kind artwork. Enjoy a sampling of spooky items on display now in store through November 5, 2021. Shop online or in store.
  2. Join us Saturday October 16th for a Cat Art Fair at Mauhaus! Melissa, along with other local artists will be outside the cafe with all sorts of cat-themed goodies! Event runs from 10am-6pm, and the address is 3101 Sutton Blvd., Maplewood, MO 63143.

Follow our journey on Patreon! On our page this month, we will be releasing Halloween coloring pages, discussing a recent trip, and sharing behind-the-scenes photos of our current projects! Learn more about Patreon here.

September News

9/3/2021

 
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a pitcher from our pitcher plant
Our next shop update will be in October for our Virtual Halloween Market! Expect to see new stickers, incense, art, and some bat ornaments.

Follow our journey on Patreon! On our page this month, we will be releasing two animal coloring pages, discussing the upcoming Halloween incense blends, releasing a bird-themed digital download, and sharing behind-the-scenes photos of our current projects! Learn more about Patreon here.

August News

8/6/2021

 
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Follow our journey on Patreon! On our page this month, we will be releasing an ice cream coloring page, discussing an incense blend, releasing a new sticker design, and more! Learn more about Patreon here.

A new print & postcard set, Summertime Sweetness, have been released in the shop!
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