provided to The Santiva Chronicle
The free 2021 Virtual Sanibel Shell Show will be held on the Sanibel Shell Club’s YouTube Channel from noon to 3 p.m. EST March 5-6. One of the over 35 featured original videos shows how professional mosaic shell artist, Suzanne Dietsch, creates Sailor’s Valentines in her studio in rural Illinois.
Suzanne is known for her creative, three-dimensional approach to this craft. Her goal is to honor the nautical folk-art history of Sailor’s Valentines while creating a more personal, contemporary spin to this treasured 1800’s art form.
This delightful video showcases Suzanne‘s valentines created from self-collected shells, purchased shells, and other sea life including fossils. One includes baby shark’s teeth while another valentine includes many varieties of sea stars. Still another features a teeny ladybug made out of a crab eye seed on a flower. Watch for it!
Other videos devoted to shell art include a tour of hobbyist artist Andrea Schopf’s two studios and her work. Another video takes you inside MaryBeth Greenplate’s famous Sanibel Beach Bungalow Doll House.
Clair Beckmann, Virtual Shell Show Chair said, “There is something for everybody in the Virtual Shell Show. There are educational videos about the science of shells, do-it-yourself projects, and the pure fun of seeing 101 Ways to Display Shells. We are thankful for our 50+ sponsors and to the photographers who submitted over 300 photos from 15 countries for the photo contest.”
For questions, email shellshow@sanibelshellclub.com or visit the shell club website.
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