hatsue limoru shell craft

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?

judy mackey shell craft

Can you imagine the patience that it took to design this dazzling trinket box?

seashell trinket box

How did Jan Harper think of making a seashell cupcake?

Jan Harper Delightful

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?

freak fighting conch

Here’s Amy with her husband Bill in front of their display…

amy bill tripp shell award

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?

arrow dwarf triton mary burton

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)?

John Slapcinsky Thorpe Jerry Harasewych

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…

best in show shell david rhyne

Artist Judy Dinnick won best single Sailors Valentine…

judy dinnick shell craft

See? So many exhibits took my breath away. And just take a look at some more amazing creations…

hobbyist peter gabel shell craft

susan lloyd shell craft

cheryl whitten shell craft

gera reid sailors valentine

constance marshall miller valentine

sally arbib sailors valentine

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!

beach bling mary giambruno collage

PS- One more week until we can shell together at Cayo Costa on March 16th! Click on the next image for more info…

shelling-adventures-pam