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…
Love the sailors valentines. One of these days (if I have the patience) I want to do a small one. The fighting conch looked like it melted! What was the subject Charlotte Thorpe’s display ? I don’t know how the judges can pick only one top winner in each catagory-they’re all so pretty. Hope you have more pictures.
Pat
Wow! Each entry is is so unique and special. It had to be so difficult to choose a winner. Hope someday to be able to attend this. Looking forward to more pictures.
I have question , me to :). For the category off self collect..how many years you can go back?? And if you present a shell in this category and win…could you present the same one another year??
Oh Pam I am soooooo jealous. Your pictures are beautiful, but until you can be there and see them in person……you know what I mean. I was fortunate to be able to there with two best friends last year – what an awesome show!!! Everyone should go at least once. The shellabration was on my “Bucket List” and was soooo worth it. Enjoy the rest of the show and keep us posted.
The Sanibel Shell Show is my favorite weekend of the year!
I am so thrilled that you liked my exhibit, beachcombers scrapbook, “my beach bling”
I love your blog and look forward to it daily.
I hope to see you out shelling someday!
M.G.
Mary, I smiled from ear to ear when I saw your piece!!! You had so much fun BLING displayed in your piece I know you had a great time making it.
Oh and I want to apologize to everybody for not having more photos and info on the scientific division is year. I had the hardest time getting clean clear photos of the displays because of the glass and reflecting light on the displays this year. There were a few craft displays I would have loved to show as well but the stinkin light reflections were in the way. Ill try to figure it out for next years shows. PS- The show is still running today (Saturday march 9, 2013)!
Pam, Captain Brian put some awesome pics on his blog too, hope you don’t mind me mentioning it here, since he is so well respected and liked by folks here :)
I spent the most time (equals most fun) exploring your bling. Thank you for sharing.
This New England Yankee needs to get down there someday to see those gorgeous creations! I have heard that Shell Festival folks are quite, quite serious about shells and their art. I am truly amazed! Thank you for posting about this!
Thanks for sharing all the pictures. Your blog is the next best thing to being at the Shell Festival. I have always been delighted with the Sailors Valentines. I am so impressed with how creative people can put small shells together to make such beautiful designs.
Wow, such great photos Pam. And so many really phenomenal exhibits! Thanks for letting us glimpse the show through your eyes Pam.
Mary G, what a fabulous beach bling scrapbook, it really made me smile!
Love all those pictures. Would love to be there in person to take in all those lovely exhibits. Next year for sure :-)
Thanks Pam, for sharing.
Ditto to Ken’s comment. I am always amazed by the creativity and patience of the persons that make the Sailor’s Valentines. I’ve seen them at the Shelling Museum and they are a wonder to behold. No only because these folks collected (maybe) all the shells they used but then came up with a design and executed that design. Just truly wondrous! Thanks for sharing those and the other specimens you saw. Maybe someday I’ll get to the show. Ciao for now!
Thanks so much Pam for posting these pictures. It’s almost like being there! Enjoy the rest of the show.
Awesome…wish we were there. We will be back this summer…end of May until the the end of summer…our favorite time there…really laid back.. no traffic…no waiting lines…the locals are happy and relaxed..and we love that. It is much cooler there than Texas at that time of the year!!
However, the shellabration is also on our bucket list..maybe next year. We love the pictures as always.
Can not wait.
John and Kathie
Texas…crazy..crazy weather here..one day winter..next day spring
Thanks for posting the Shell Fair pics! They are wonderful!
Will HAVE to see in person!
Went there! It was amazing! I loved the things they made out of shells. ONE OF A KIND :)
Thanks for sharing such wonderful pics of the awesome creations at the Shell Fair!!
Just now getting caught up with the blogs. I was finally able to get to shell fair last year and I was blown away. I so want to learn how to make the crafts that are there at the show. I spent hours at the table of the crafters making flowers and such last year trying to learn from them. This is what I’m gonna do when I retire..shelling, shell club and making crafts!!! Just love the pictures Pam!!!