 The glossy, smooth, marble-like olive shells have a distinctive oval-shape with a conical top. You can find a variety of sizes, with a maximum size of about 3.5 inches. The most common olive shells in Southwest Florida are the lettered olive, which are cream or tan colored with brownish v-shaped "lettering". I have also found all-cream colored shells, and recently a dark-gray colored one. Scientific name of the lettered olive: Oliva sayana Olives are predatory sea snails, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Olivdae. Coloring: tan, white, cream, brownish, gray Size: up to 3.5 inches Find lettered olives from North Carolina to Florida, Louisiana to Texas and south through the east coast of Mexico. It typically lives in near-shore waters, on shallow sand flats near inlets. The shells frequently wash ashore on Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach. -Melissa  
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 Our events this month include the Sanibel Shell Festival, the Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair, and a shamrock craft project at Sanibel Public Library. Learn more on our local event page.
On Patreon this month, we will be releasing some digital coloring pages from our 2 upcoming coloring books. We will also be releasing a new sticker design and discussing several art projects this month. Photo above: a Junonia shell watercolor collage created by Melissa this week!  Our events this month include the First Friday Art Walk, the Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair, and a cat craft project at Sanibel Public Library. Learn more on our local event page.
On Patreon this month, we will be releasing some digital coloring pages from our 2 upcoming coloring books. We will also be releasing a new seashell sticker design and discussing several art projects this month. Check out our Valentine's Day section for some new releases! Photo above: a recent flamingo by Melissa  The Atlantic Calico Scallop is one of my favorite shells found in Southwest Florida. It features a lovely "calico" patchwork pattern of pink, red and white. The photo above includes some of our favorites we've found on the beach. They are very plentiful on Sanibel Island, and easy to spot since they are so bright. Scientific name: Argopecten gibbus Calico scallops are bivalve (two-shells) molluscs Coloring: patterns of pink, purple and white (and sometimes orange and grey) Size: up to 3 inches Where to find: coastal waters from Maryland to Florida, throughout the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, and down to Brazil. -Melissa   Fine art, handcrafted clothing & accessories, jewelry, greeting cards, shell crafts, tropical decor, delicious baked goods, and more available at Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair on February 4, 2024. Sanibel Island, Florida - The Sanibel Community House will host an Arts & Crafts Fair on February 4, 2024. Shoppers will find fine art, handcrafted clothing & accessories, jewelry, greeting cards, shell crafts, tropical decor, and delicious baked goods from over 30 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 through April.  Artwork by Jeanne Raimondi  Woven baskets by Linda Huppert  Clothing by Alexandra Owen  Artwork by Mara Balodis  Porcelain art and bird sculptures by Jim & Patty Sprankle Participating artists for the February show include: Mara Balodis - original art - (Facebook.com/pineislandcenter) Mary Jo Boal - scarves Steve Canton - baked goods Jeanne Raimondi - original artwork Renee Chastant - watercolor art (www.reneechastant.com) Jane Cooke - children’s clothing, bows Jayne Crowell - jewelry & purses Julie Degalan - original art, bowls, sewn items (Etsy.com/shop/SanibelMaterialGirl) Rhonda Emmer - sewn place mats Guna Foraker - children’s bows Mike Gibson - jewelry Melissa & Matt Gindling - watercolor art & illustrations Jill Keenley - pottery (Instagram.com/flamingopottery) Trish Logan - jewelry (Jewelrybytrish.square.site) Sally McGowan - embroidered pillows Salli Kirkland - woven baskets and baked goods Karen Navarre - sewn bags and wallets Lauren Sandler - beaded jewelry and painted wooden signs (Daydreamjewelrydesigns.com) Sarah Shaffer - seashell jewelry and beaded bracelets Perky Smoot - seaglass jewelry Jim & Patty Sprankle - porcelain art and bird sculptures (Sprankle.com) Arlene Stigum - oil paintings and books (www.Stigum.com) Stan Timson - original paintings Jane Vallejo - handmade clothing (Artmosaicfashion.com) Alexandra Owen - handmade clothing Beth Redpath - jewelry Vera Vellucci - painted wine glasses, bottle lights Cyndy Eames - scarves Sandy Beauton - jewelry Linda Huppert - woven baskets and vases 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 [email protected]  Happy New Year!
As we enter the new year, we are looking forward to creating several book projects. We will be changing up our posts and releases on Patreon this year so that we can prioritize sharing artwork and updates on these new projects. We will continue to share other behind the scenes posts such as artwork and incense projects, photos of SWFL wildlife, and recent art events. We will also continue to release a vinyl sticker each month, and subscribers to the Fiddler Crab tier and above will continue to receive these in the mail. Learn more on our Patreon page! In 2024 we will be attending fewer pop-up events, and focussing on our book projects and releasing new items in our online store. You will still be able to find us at the Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair this month, and Melissa will be offering a free drawing tutorial at the Sanibel Library this month. Learn more on our local event page. -Matt & Melissa photo above: fireworks at Tween Waters on Captiva Island  Fine art, handcrafted accessories, books, holiday cards, jewelry, gift ideas, tropical decor, delicious baked goods, and more available at Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair on November 26, 2023. Sanibel Island, Florida - The Sanibel Community House will host an Arts & Crafts Fair on November 26, 2023. Shoppers will find fine art, handcrafted accessories, books, holiday cards, jewelry, gift ideas, tropical decor, and delicious baked goods from over 40 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.  Handmade jewelry and purses by Jayne Crowell  Paintings by Mara Balodis  Jewelry by Jill Krummen  Baked Goods by Steve Canton Virginia Alden - resin art
Leslie Angel - jewelry, art, yarn baskets Mara Balodis - original art Faye Barczak - sewn coasters, bags, bandanas Nicole Bender - dog treats Paulette Boudreau - original paintings Marcy Calkins - original art Steve Canton - baked goods Renee Chastant - watercolor art Gina Cotter - shadow boxes, earrings Jayne Crowell - jewelry, purses Michael & Kira Dworkin - resin art and jewelry Rhonda Emmer - sewn place mats Guna Foraker - children’s bows and felt ornaments Mike Gibson - fine jewelry Melissa & Matt Gindling - watercolor art and illustration Tracee Hicks - enamel and silver jewelry Linn Hill - crafts Lynn Hines - silver jewelry Jane Hudson - stuffed fish, cats, birds, small paintings Salli Kirkland - baskets and baked goods Jill Krummen - sea glass jewelry Doug MacGregor - children’s books Christine Marshall - night lights and earrings Sally McGowan - embroidered pillows Gabriella McNeilus - resin crafts Harrison McNeilus - handmade survival bracelets Avalon Vinciguerra - friendship bracelets and beaded jewelry Karen Navarre - sewn bags and wallets Nancy Rector - beaded jewelry Beth Redpath - jewelry and crafts Deborah Salvatore - paintings Karen & Steve Seay - decopage shells and palm frond art Sarah Shaffer - seashell jewelry and beaded bracelets Perky Smoot - sea glass jewelry Patty & Jim Sprankle - porcelain art and bird sculptures Arlene Stigum - oil paintings Elaine Sullo - cards and paper cranes Valerie Taloni - jewelry Sheila Wissner - paintings and jewelry Sanibel Community House Shell Crafters 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 [email protected]  Our November events this month include the First Friday Art Walk, Wednesday Night Market at Alliance for the Arts, a Thanksgiving craft project at Sanibel Public Library, Holiday Market at Shangri-La Springs, and the Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair! Learn more on our local event page.
On Patreon this month, we will be releasing our next digital zine! This one will be themed Sunrise on Sanibel. We will also be releasing a new sticker design and discussing several projects this month. Photo above: orchids spotted at Edison Ford Winter Estates this month.  Our October events this month include the Wednesday Night Market at Alliance for the Arts, a candy corn craft project at Sanibel Public Library, Fall Festival at Edison Ford Winter Estates, and the Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair! Learn more on our local event page.
On Patreon this month, we will be releasing our next digital zine! This one will be themed Halloween Nights. On Instagram, Melissa is releasing new art/sketches for the 2023 Drawtober art challenge. Photo above: a very stylish shell we found a few months ago  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. 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.  Ceramic Ornaments by Jill Keenley  Original watercolors by Vivian Kearney  Stained Glass by Clarice Fagin  Original Art by Paulette Boudreau Participating artists and makers for October 29th include:
Virginia Alden - resin art Leslie Angel - jewelry, artwork and baskets Mara Balodis - original art Melissa Beeck - resin decor Paulette Boudreau - original paintings Steve Canton - baked goods Renee Chastant - watercolor art Gina Cotter - shadow boxes and jewelry JoAnn Crag - glass art on canvas Jayne Crowell - handmade jewelry and purses Clarice Fagin - stained glass Guna Foraker - children's bows and ornaments Mike Gibson - fine jewelry Melissa & Matt Gindling - original illustrations Vivian Kearney - watercolor art Jill Keenley - pottery Salli Kirkland - crafts and culinary Jill Krummen - seaglass and beaded jewelry Trish Logan - handmade jewelry Christine Marshall - handcrafted night lights Nancy Rector - beaded jewelry Patty Rusch - handmade bags and painted jackets Lauren Sandler - beaded jewelry and handmade decor Perky Smoot - sea glass jewelry Jim & Patty Sprankle - porcelain creations Arlene Stigum - original oil paintings Lynn Walters - seashell decorations Sanibel Shellcrafters - original shell crafts 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 [email protected] |
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