The shell crafters have been hard at work setting up, sorting, categorizing and pricing seashells to sell for the 74th Sanibel Shell Fair and Show starting tomorrow. They have also been having lots of fun every Monday all year long making whimsical shell crafts like flower bouquets, shell critters and shell pictures to sell.
It was a pleasure to meet some of the shellcrafters that donate their time and skills to make these beautiful pieces of shell art made for the Shell Fair every year. Here’s a little sampling of who these talented folks are and how these creations are made throughout the year. Thanks, Shellcrafters for inviting me into your wonderful world of shell crafting. Hope to see yall tomorrow at the show!
I hope everyone will come inside to see the actual shell show…Pam judged it a few years ago and it is spectacular…Thursday, Friday and Saturday opens at 9am…it is mind numbing..Maybe Pam will post some photos??
Of course!!! I will be there every day and will probably we blogging LIVE like I did last year. It IS spectacular! Can’t wait- my mom is flying because of the show so it will make it that much more fun for me.
The Shell Fair will be more special, because you will be sharing it with your Mom. Enjoy :-)
Love those hydrangeas.
Lee & Bill
WOW such beauty from the beauty of the seashell thanks
Oh Pam, I so want to come. This is fair is #1 on my wish list of things to do. Can’t wait to come along for the ride sitting here on my couch in Sydney. Pruxxx
Ah-I so want to be there!!!!
oh my goodness-I have to know how to get one of those shell hydrangeas! I have not seen these before-so beautiful. Can you help me ?? I love your site and can’t wait to read it every day-Shay in beautiful upstate South Carolina.
I couldn’t believe how beautiful it was either, Shay. I’ll check on it for you….If it already sold and I dont see another one, I’ll ask around for you tomorrow.
thank you!
Shay – where in Upstate SC are you? I’m in Greenville. Love this blog – I check 2-3 times a day for updates from Pam. I long for the day when I can come to Sanibel.
Lynn
Beautiful flowers, can’t get over how real they look.
Hope you can keep it coming, Pam. Your blog is the next best thing to being there.
Boy, and I thought I was being creative putting my shells in vase…they showed me! ;)
Have fun and have a good time with your mom!
I’ll see ya there!
As much as I LOVE shells, I’m not too keen on shell art… EXCEPT those FLOWERS!! I’ve never seen anything like that before! Can you ship some to me in Tulsa, Pam?
If you are serious, I’ll see what I can do.
Thanks Pam. I know you’ll be busy blogging and taking lots of pictures for us. I would love some flowers, but maybe another time when you won’t be so busy.
How would those flowers and flower arrangements ship anyway?
Pam- we all know how much JOY (and information) you give to your blog readers…..but does the Chamber of Commerce on Sanibel know how much BUSINESS you attract to your lovely place in paradise?? We hope your special light isn’t hidden under a bushel, because you are a tireless supporter of everything Sanibel–hotels ,shops, restaurants, museums, special events….. and the list goes on………… please don’t stop
Awwww, Shay you are too kind. I’m not sure the people who live here, follow my blog because they can shell any time they want. The businesses are too busy (busy in season, want to rest in off-season) to read a blog. I think the word is leaking out a little because I sold a few of my tee shirts at an event last month….. but then, I think they just think sell tee shirts! hahaha
My biggest honor was that I was nominated for a Lee County E Award last year by a gal that worked for them. I still feel honored.
Just like you, it’s a thrill to share shell finds with someone who appreciates them. I would never blog as much if I wasn’t fueled by the comments and fun feedback I get from you shell crazies out there. If you keep up the great feedback to let me know you are still out there, I’ll keep blogging about the treasures that roll up on this paradise island. Deal?
They must know about you and all you do because I found you through the Chamber of Commerce website. :) Lucky me!
Deal here!! Keep it comin’!! (maybe I can tuck inside your mom’s suitcase) I assume she is coming down from here in VA??!!
Hi there, I’ve been reading your blog every day for the past few months and am coming to Sanibel in September – can’t wait :o) Those flowers made of shells are amazing! Especially the hydrangeas. I’d really love to get some of the shell flowers – is there any way of getting these outside of the Shell Fair? If you could give me details of anyone I could contact when I come in September then that would be great. Is there any way of visiting the workshop and seeing how the crafters make them if I make sure my visit includes a Monday? I’d love to do something creative like that with shells.
Every time a look at the pictures of shell finds on your blog I get more and more excited about visiting! Thanks for that, Pen, Bristol UK
Pen,
You can go to the Sanibel Community Building any Monday when the group is shellcrafting, both to watch and to buy. We are only on-island in the off-season, and I’ve been able to buy several beautiful shell Christmas trees and shell baskets during our visits. I’d love to be in Sanibel during the fair, but not able to do so yet.
June
ps…You do have to watch out for holiday Mondays (Memorial Day, etc) because the Center is not open on those days. Learned that the hard way!
Thanks for that June. I’ll try to time it right! It’d be great to see them in action and get a few tips :) Pen
Are those shells collected from the beaches of Sanibel? Hard to tell from the photo. How much do they go for…by the lb, by the piece? I was just curious. Those crafts are beautiful, too!
Wow, I agree those hydrangeas are out of this world. I would love some too – maybe the seller has an etsy store or something. I have never seen anything like that.
Pam – have a great time with your momma! I’m trying to get my mom to come down with me one of these days, she is almost talked into it. Have a great time this weekend!
ps I also think you have done wonders for the city of Sanibel!
Wow! Those flowers are absolutely beautiful! What a fun thing to do with all the shells that must accumulate for someone who lives there. I’ve thought, “If I go back, I am going to want to collect more shells, of course! But what will I start doing with all the shells I collect?!” This fabulous post gave me a good idea :)
My pre-teen grandchildren won’t let us skip Mondays at the Community Center to create their shell art. Very reasonable in price–they supply the shells and supplies and the patience in teaching even older shell-lovers like me! Then my daughter and I purchase some of the Christmas shell decorations and even the floral bouquets. The gals expertly wrap the pieces for shipping or luggage. Have never broken one in several years now! I so enjoy their shell art which they graciously give their grandmother to display on our sunroom in frigid Missouri! And to remember our wonderful annual get-away-from-it-all week on Sanibel! Thanks for the memories, Pam. Your blog is a daily read along with the New York Times, only much more sunny and positive!
The Shell Crafters who sit there week after week making those beautiful arrangements have such talent. Can’t wait to see them and you in person at the Fair. Coming on Saturday. See you there.
Thanks so much for the Shell Fair preview! I have always wanted to attend since the first time I visited Sanibel, about 30 years ago. Do you think there would be room for two more people on the island during shell week? If you think so, I might plan it for next year!
wow! Incredible work.
Wish I could be there–but my vacation doesn’t start until March 14!! I’ll be there on Tuesday, March 15. Can’t wait–hope there are some seashells left on the beach!
Susan from Toronto
I can’t wait to see the Sailor’s Valentines. They were so gorgeous last year. I have looked back at them several times. What shells are the hydrangeas made from? Are the shells dyed? They are the most real-looking shell flowers I’ve seen, plus being my favorite!!! Thanks again for sharing with the less fortunate. SIGH!
I wish I was there! I have to work!! baah. Oh well have a wonderful time. Can’t wait to see your posts from the weekend. I swear I am making it next year.
Pam,
What do they use to glue the shells to at the end of the wire??
Oh my gosh, these are so beautiful. I’m coming for the first time the first week in April. I hope you have a fantastic time with your Mom. My Mom died in July of cancer; she would have loved to see this and gone with me. Since I won’t be able to see the Fair (at least this year), can you tell me if there is any place to go that sells some of these wonderful works of art when I visit? I would love to have some of those flowers too :)
I agree with everyones’ mentions of the flowers – amazing! My first trip to Sanibel was last November, but hope to one day return. Thanks for the blog – I really enjoy it!
Loved the video, sorry I missed the show!! I think that was a great choice of music to accompany the video. Great job!! Mom looks great! She is cute.