Archive for Sanibel Shell Fair and Show
2013 Sanibel Shell Festival
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The 76th Sanibel Shell Fair and Show has taken my breath away yet again. Each and every year I’m overwhelmed with the scientific exhibits, talented shell artists and creative minds that contribute to this show. Honestly, how did Judy Mackey have the vision to make this award winning seashell crown… perfect for the highest of the mermaid queens?
Can you imagine the patience that it took to design this dazzling trinket box?
How did Jan Harper think of making a seashell cupcake?
Did Amy Tripp do the happy dance for a week after finding this ultra FREAK FIGHTING CONCH she added to her blue ribbon for the “Color Your World” theme exhibit?
Here’s Amy with her husband Bill in front of their display…
And I had even more questions… How long did Mary Burton shellebrate after she found this ARROW DWARF TRITON off West Gulf Drive on Sanibel that she entered in the “Single Self Collected Sanibel Captiva Shell” category?
And how happy do you think Charlotte Thorpe is to win the Conchologists of America award presented by judges John Slapcinsky (collections manager for the Malacology Department at the Florida Museum of Natural History) and Jerry Harasewych (Curator in the Department of Invertebrate Zoology at the Smithsonian Institution)?
Okay, so now you see that these exhibits were oozing with talent. But wait, more talent! David Rhyne’s double Sailors Valentine won Best In Show this year…
Artist Judy Dinnick won best single Sailors Valentine…
See? So many exhibits took my breath away. And just take a look at some more amazing creations…
And last but not least, I saw this piece by Mary Giambruno that was called “My Beach Bling”. Oh how that warms my heart! Who doesn’t love some good BEACH BLING? What a fun show!
PS- One more week until we can shell together at Cayo Costa on March 16th! Click on the next image for more info…
Beach Sea Whip Tips
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While sifting through the BEACH BLING on the east end of Sanibel this past week, I found a purple SEA WHIPS. I’ve collected a few over the years because of their beauty but now I look very carefully at them because at times, I’ll see little surprise hitch hikers on them. Take a closer look…
Did you see the two shells attached to two different branches? They practically camo themselves on the branches, don’t they? They are called ONE-TOOTH SIMNIAS.
On this SEA WHIP I found last week, there are two ONE-TOOTH SIMNIAS attached to this one as well…
I plucked one of the shells off the branch. Look at how sleek it is.
I never find these washed up on the beach… I wonder why? I’m sure they are there so I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for them. Here is the other view…
Since this is a miniature shell I wanted to show you how big the ONE-TOOTH SIMNIA was in relation to a quarter. Unfortunately, all I see in this picture is George Washington getting comfy with one of those travel roll pillows around his neck. I hope you have better luck focusing on the size of the shell instead of the neck roll. ha!
I learned to look closely at SEA WHIPS because I saw a few displays in the scientific division of the 75th Sanibel Shell Fair and Show this year of interesting things that find homes on SEA WHIPS. Here is a very impressive display of a WEST INDIES CHANK SHELL EGG CASE attached to a SEA WHIP with the baby CHANK SHELLS coming out.
Awesome, right? Expert sheller Marilee describes her exhibit as…
“Egg case of Turbinella angulata On sea plume (Pseudopterogorgia) Found on beach after storm near Jack’s Bay- Eleuthera Bahamas”
This was an “Aha moment” for me since she left the egg case attached to the SEA PLUME. Now I always look at what’s attached to the SEA WHIPS or SEA PLUMES mixed in with all the BEACH BLING. Thank you Marilee! It was such a pleasure to meet you at the show.
I have another surprise to show you on my next post about SEA WHIPS. I found another cool shell attached to them! Until then, take a look at another hitchhiker….a BRYOZOAN COLONY hanging out on this purple lovely.
2012 Sanibel Shell Fair Sailors Valentines
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The Sanibel Shell Fair had a very special SAILORS VALENTINE exhibited this year. Hatsue Iimuro flew all the way from Japan with her husband Noriko and best friend Yasuyuki to enter her work at the Sanibel show.
Hatsue said she is the first one to introduce Sailors Valentines to the japanese people in her town near Mt Fuji. Good for Hatsue! What a treat for her japanese neighbors to see such intricate seashell masterpieces. Believe it or not, the airlines almost lost their precious cargo! Thank goodness they found it so we could enjoy this beautiful piece of art and she could be rewarded by a Blue Ribbon and the Best Miscellaneous Exhibit.
There were so many other winners and gorgeous Valentines using such creative designs with seashells. Really….they are unbelievable!
I think my favorite one was Rachel Fields’ Sailors Valentine. She was beaming from ear to ear and proud as a peacock (as she should be!) to enter her beautiful piece of art for the first time as a hobbyist.
Sanibel Has My Heart …
2012 Sanibel Shell Fair Artistic Division
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The Artistic Division of the 2012 Sanibel Shell Fair had so many creative entries that were so intricately designed, I had a difficult time coming up with my faves. I loved them all!
I had to keep reminding myself… “These are made with seashells!”
I always love the ones that tickle the funny bone with such creativity…
Notice what this JINGLE cat has on its feet… KITTEN PAWS!
How about this seashell encrusted seashell!
There were a few exhibits that had a little Beach Bling mixed in too…
There were even Victorian antique seashell pieces…
Of course, my favorite part of the day wass to run into Shelling Sisters!
I have more exciting news! I feel very honored to be invited to be a judge for the Sarasota Shell Show February 2013 Artistic Division. Yahoo! I had so much fun being a judge here at the Sanibel Shell Fair in 2010 so I look forward to meeting the fabulous shell crafters of Sarasota. I’ve got so much more to show you but coming up in my next post will be the cream of the crop of the Artistic Division… the Sailors’ Valentines. Don’t miss it! They are breathtaking!
2012 Sanibel Shell Fair and Show Scientific Division
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Oh My! This Amoria grayi kawamurai (are you impressed I called it by the Latin name?) trawled in deep water off Thevenard Island, Western Australia was awarded the Judges Special Award ribbon at the Sanibel Shell Show entered by Bobbi and James Cordy. I am overwhelmed to see so many fascinating specimens from all over the world… one right after another…. so I will show a few of my favorite Blue Ribbon and Special Award exhibits in the Scientific Division today.
Since I pictured this Pterynotus bednalli exhibited by Dick Willis in yesterday’s post, it’s obviously one of my faves. I hear it might be the world record in size as well. I don’t have the exact measurements but just guestamating, I think it’s about 4 1/2 inches or so. It is gorgeous!
I wish I could talk to all of the exhibitors but especially Evelyn Spencer about this Blue Ribbon FIGHTING CONCH (Strombus Alatus) she found on Sanibel.
I also love this Blue Ribbon WENTLETRAP exhibit by Harold and Marguerite Pilcher.
There are boxes and boxes of shells from different habitats in this Blue Ribbon Florida/Caribbean Treasure exhibit by Carol and Earl Petrikin. So interesting!
We are so proud of Captain Brian for his second place ribbon in the category Unusual Variants (Freaks!) but I have to show you the Blue Ribbon winner by Gary and Barbara Murza in that same category.
I opened yesterday’s post with the photograph of Ann Joffe’s Blue Ribbon exhibit of 75 Wonderful Years.
To tell you a little about it, you have to read her words to explain her piece. It is very heart warming and such a beautiful tribute to those that have touched and taught us about the shelling world…
My head is swimming with seashell over-stimulation! They all are amazing, right? Well so is meeting more Shelling Sistahs and Bros! Y’all make my day soooo happy to share this excitement! Here’s Lynn and Ann…
And Jan and Bill. Jan was filmed by CBS too! We had such a fantastic time sharing that memory together. Thanks Jan!
Up next- the Artistic Division! Don’t worry, I’ll try to post more pics of this Scientific Division later too! So stay tuned!
Big News From 75th Sanibel Shell Fair And Show!
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The Sanibel Shell Fair and Show is finally here again…. for the 75th time!!! And boy do I have some news for you!
Along with shellacious seashell artistry…
…and exhibits of the most shellusive seashells on the planet…
There was a shellebrity roaming the halls of the Sanibel Community House as well!
Oh yes it is! It’s Bill Geist from everybody’s favorite show CBS Sunday Morning. Along with the rest of us, he was there ooohing and ahhhing over 75 years of this wonderful hobby of collecting, sharing and crafting seashells. And I’m about to jump out of my skin to tell you….. he interviewed me for the show!!!
Okay. I shouldn’t get so excited because he interviewed quite a few people so my interview might end up on the editing room floor because…. well…because this is what happens when I get in front of the camera. Dahhhh…. Like a deer in headlights. heeheehee
Any way, it was a blast even if I don’t make “the cut”. I’ve already had so much fun and this is the only the first day of the show (March 1-3). Oh and more big news! I want to give a very big shout out to our favorite shelling guide Captain Brian Holaway for winning second place for his ALBINO WHELK in the Unusual Variants (Albinos, Freaks, etc.) category. It was his first year to enter the show and he won a ribbon! Congratulations Brian!!!
I have so many photos to show you from both the scientific and artistic divisions but if you are any where close to Lee County, you should get your hiney down here to see the show for yourself. You will NOT be disappointed! And you’ll meet lots of other Shelling Sistahs too…
Stay tuned… I’ll try to get out more photos of the exhibits ASAP and I’ll let you know when this segment should air on CBS Sunday Morning as soon as I hear. Until then…
