Archive for Sanibel Shell Fair and Show
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…
Shellabrating Seashells In Fashion
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Sanibel and Captiva fashion divas strutted the runway yesterday in gorgeous gowns, dazzling dresses, stunning scarfs and sassy shoes all embellished with our favorite accent…. SEASHELLS!
It took two months for Melinda Graham of home decor boutique Surroundings to make this wedding dress adorned with JINGLES, BUTTON SHELLS and white land shells. I would have loved to have gotten married in this dress (especially if I could have ever fit into the tiny size)! It is so incredibly lovely. She even designed flower girl dresses…
She embellished the flower girls’ flip flops as well!
And the flower girl head pieces are laced with shells!
Melinda won first place for this seashell couture gown as you can imagine. Look one more time at the details…
Second place winner went to Marianne Kanzius in a dress she made from complete scratch then added seaglass beads and shells…
Look at these delicate details. So sweet…
There were more than a dozen other dresses adorned with our beloved seashells to Shellabrate the 75th Annual Sanibel Shell Fair and Show this week. Susan Berg opened the show with a shellacious start…
Long time shell enthusiast Ethel Sinow wore a vintage Lily Pulitzer dress and jacket accented with a seashell handbag…
The Shell Island Garden Club made this beautiful shell scarf to match the rest of Edie’s shell lined dress…
Check out all of the other shelltastic stunners…
Oh! I almost forgot to mention that my dear friend Jane donated one of her fabulous shell mirrors to start the show with an auction item. She too is amazing, isn’t she?
Thank you to the models/designers Susen Berg, Ethel Sinow, Karen Tempority, Mary Buck, Harriet Witt, Barb Kapinus, Mary Bates, Canstance Mara, Kerry Trapp, Marianne Kanzius, Floral Artistry, Shell Island Garder Club, Ding Darling and Melinda Graham for sharing your love of shells. Peace, love and seashells!
