 Our events this month include the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers, Fall Festival at Edison Ford Winter Estates, and the Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair - view the list on our Local Events page.
During October we will be sharing illustrations for the Drawtober art challenge. Follow our Instagram page to see! Melissa is also working on some cephalopod illustrations that will be shared later in the year. Our new holiday card designs are now available in the shop as a presale until October 18th. View the New Arrivals. On Patreon this month, we will be releasing some digital coloring pages from our upcoming coloring books, and a new sticker design. Photo above: tiny frog on Sanibel.
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 Our events this month include the First Friday Art Walk in downtown Fort Myers, and a painting event at the Sanibel Library - view the list on our Local Events page.
During the summer months we have been focussing on creating new artwork for Halloween, the winter holidays, and some fun cephalopods! We look forward to sharing a variety of new items during the upcoming season. Some hand-painted Halloween ornaments are now available in the shop! On Patreon this month, we will be releasing some digital coloring pages from our upcoming coloring books. We will also be releasing two new sticker designs. Photo above: a rather large shell we recently found on Sanibel.  The somewhat bizarre worm shells feature a swirly spiral shaped hollow tube. These shells are made from two related species: the Fargo Worm Snail and the Florida Worm Snail. These snails start making a tightly coiled shell until it's about half an inch to an inch long. Then, the length of the shell becomes uncoiled, changing into this loose swirly spiral shape. This shape allows the Worm Snail to anchor itself to sponges, rocks and corals. It's fairly common to find broken pieces of this shell on Sanibel beaches (like the photo above), and occasionally you can find one with the tightly coiled pointy shell top!
Scientific name of the Florida Worm Snail: Vermicularia knorrii Scientific name of the Fargo Worm Snail: Vermicularia fargoi Coloring: white, tan or light brown Worm Snails are sea snails that live in coastal reefs. They are suspension feeders that trap plankton for food.  We're taking a break from any live events this month. Join us in September and October for some fun events - view the list on our Local Events page.
During the summer months we are focussing on creating new artwork for Halloween, the winter holidays, and some fun cephalopods! We look forward to sharing a variety of new items during the upcoming season. On Patreon this month, we will be releasing some digital coloring pages from our upcoming coloring books. We will also be releasing a new blue squid sticker design and discussing a book project and adding a few behind-the-scenes photos of art projects. Photo above: a sketch of the Banyan Cafe at the Edison and Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers.  Our events this summer include a painting lesson at the Sanibel Library and a Summer Arts & Crafts Fair at the Sanibel Community House. Learn more on our local event page.
This month we will be working on some artwork for the holiday season, which you will be able to see later this year. 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 key lime sticker design and discussing a book project and adding a few behind-the-scenes photos of art projects. Photo above: a recent SWFL sunset.  Our events this summer include drawing lessons at the Sanibel Library and a Summer Arts & Crafts Fair at the Sanibel Community House. Learn more on our local event page.
This week we will be releasing the new postcard and notecard designs we've been working on recently, as well as some new original artwork additions to the shop. 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 manatee sticker design and discussing a book project and adding a few behind-the-scenes photos of a recent project. Photo above: Bokeelia in Pine Island.  The smooth, swirly banded tulip shells have an elegant spiral shape that resembles a tie-dyed tulip flower. You can find a variety of sizes, with a maximum size of about 4 inches. The banded tulip is a common shell in Southwest Florida and is also found in other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, eastern Florida, and northern Caribbean Sea. Scientific name of the banded tulip: Cinctura lilium Tulips are predatory sea snails, feeding on other smaller mollusks. Coloring: gray, purple, pink, blue, orange and white with dark brown bands. Size: up to 4 inches Find banded tulips in Southwest Florida and the Gulf of Mexico, eastern Florida and the northern Caribbean Sea. It typically lives on sand between 2 and 150 feet deep. Frequently found on Sanibel Island, you can often find these pretty shells washed ashore, or live snails in or near tide pools. -Melissa   Our events this month include the Fort Myers Art Walk and a pastel sea turtle drawing lesson at the Sanibel Library. Learn more on our local event page.
This month we will be releasing the new postcard and notecard designs we've been working on recently. There are a few new sticker designs in the shop, and another one will be added soon. 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 octopus sticker design and discussing a book project and adding a few behind-the-scenes photos. Photo above: a sketch inspired by downtown Fort Myers Art Walk.  Our events this month include the Fort Myers Art Walk, the Sanibel Community House Arts & Crafts Fair, and an octopus painting lesson at the Sanibel Library. Learn more on our local event page.
This month we will be working on some new postcard and notecard designs which will be released soon! 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 and book projects this month. Photo above: a sketch inspired by Mudbugs, one of our favorite restaurants on Sanibel Island.  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 April 7, 2024. Sanibel Island, Florida - The Sanibel Community House will host an Arts & Crafts Fair on April 7, 2024. Shoppers will find fine art, handcrafted clothing & accessories, jewelry, greeting cards, shell crafts, tropical decor, and delicious baked goods from over 20 artists and makers. This free event takes place from 9 AM - 2 PM, indoors at The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island, Florida.  Fun t-shirts by Dan Schuman (Pplsck)  Original art by Laura Ball  Handmade pillows by Sally McGowan  Handmade jewelry and purses by Jayne Crowell Participating artists for the April show include:
Mara Balodis - original art Laura Ball - original art Steve Canton - baked goods Renee Chastant - watercolor art Jayne Crowell - jewelry & handbags Laurie Flannery - jewelry Mike Gibson - jewelry Matt & Melissa Gindling - illustrations, paper goods Jill Keenley - pottery Linda Langheld - candles Tracie Lantz - crafts, original craft kits (3 Crafty Ladies) Christine Marshall - nightlights Sally McGowan - embroidered pillows Alexandra Owen - handmade clothing Lauren Sandler - beaded jewelry and painted wooden signs Dan Schuman - printed t-shirts Sarah Shaffer - seashell jewelry and beaded bracelets Stan Timson - original paintings 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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