July/August 1999 Issue

Greetings from the Islands

You’ll never run out of ways to send greetings from the islands. That’s because possibilities include realistic or whimsical “Wish You Were Here” postcards, local artists’ lovingly designed note cards, regional and nationwide firms’ stationery, or even coconuts (yes, the post offices are used to those).
   About 30 stores on Sanibel and Captiva carry local photographer Carlene Brennen’s popular cards “depicting her love for the outdoors,” with 800 subjects as varied as raccoons, palm trees, dolphins, and manatees. Her striking photos are hand-mounted and signed on the front of the cards, which are blank inside.
   Many island shops sell Signature Stationery of Terra Ceia Island, Florida. The family-owned business prints note cards with gold, silver, or multicolored shells and birds on cream, blue, or white notepaper. Several shopkeepers have Rhode Island-based Red Farm Studio add the word “Sanibel” to cards of shells, dolphins, and birds; quite a few also carry shell- and boat-motif stationery from another New England company, Cape Shore.
   Sarasota-based Sunshine Greetings’ cards, which vow to “put a little sunshine in their day,” are big sellers on the islands, especially when personalized with “Sanibel” or “Captiva.” Messages include “Missing you? Dolphinately!” or “Happy Birthday from the boat of us.” The cards include rough translations on the back in French, German, or Spanish. Its postcards show sunsets, alligators, dolphins, manatees, and roseate spoonbills. Some stores also have stationery items by Hawk Publishing of Osprey, Florida. It makes cards from Sarasota artist Carlo DiNapoli’s limited-edition prints of blue herons, azaleas, pelicans, manatees, and seagulls.
The Sporty Seahorse Shop offers note cards from artist Gail Borgman McGuire, featuring color renderings of the Sanibel Lighthouse, pelicans on the fishing pier, Captiva’s Chapel by the Sea, and the big pink house near Blind Pass. Mail some Suncoast Post Cards that show scenes of Sanibel, Captiva, Ft. Myers Beach, and Boca Grande, including shells, a banyan tree, manatee, or alligator. 362 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-1858.
   Although best known for its women’s clothing, Pandora’s Closet has note cards labeled Lighthouse at Point Ybel. They’re drawn in pen and ink or painted in watercolor by artist Howard Handlen. The shop also sells note cards featuring nautical-looking maps of the islands, done in pen and ink, pastel, and watercolor. The back reads: “Sanibel and Captiva, though only a few yards apart, are two quite different places. Knowing one is not to know the other.” 455 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/395-2400.
   It’s fascinating to look through the antique postcards for sale at the Islander Trading Post, many of which are still blank. They’re alphabetized by state and some are housed in protective plastic cases. Sales associate Edna Hanner says, “Husbands accompanying their wives into the store often notice the postcards and then that’s where they hang out.” How about sending family members or friends a message on old-fashioned cards of St. Augustine, Cypress Gardens, Tampa, a Spanish monastery near Miami, or the Overseas Highway? 1446 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/395-0888.
   Sanibel Seashell Industries carries large-sized greeting cards of lightning whelks and shark’s eye shells, photographed splendidly by Pete Carmichael, of Nature Photographics in Sarasota, Florida. Carmichael’s photos illustrate The Worlds’ Most Beautiful Seashells, a well-known book written by the late Leonard Hill. The store’s own postcard is of a wentletrap on the sand. 905 Fitzhugh St., Sanibel, 941/472-1603.
   Nick Ticich, of T-shirt Hut, says, “Puzzling Pieces’ postcards sell really well, if you explain them to customers.” Write a message, then break up the scored pieces before putting them in the accompanying envelope. Scenes include shells, a dolphin, the beach, and a turtle. Another postcard firm, Florida Impressions, features shots of the fishing pier, Pirate Playhouse, Old Schoolhouse Theater, a montage of restaurants and shops, Sanibel’s Historical Village, South Seas Plantation, and aerial views of Sanibel and Captiva. ITS of St. Augustine makes shiny, metallic postcards that seem three-dimensional, as if sea turtles, manatees, and dolphins are swimming toward you, underwater. 1504 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-1415.
   An artist known simply as Emmy is an island snowbird who paints fetching watercolors. Her subjects are as varied as the historic Old Schoolhouse Theater or two people watching the sun close its curtain on the beach. At the urging of friends, Emmy had reductions of her original paintings printed as note cards. Fortunately, Caloosa Canvas Co., located in the Heart of the Islands Shops, now makes the stationery available to everyone. 1616 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-2218.
   Nearby, Three Crafty Ladies offers creative correspondents a chance to make their own stationery using stamps and ink pads, on blank cards and envelopes made of acid-free, recycled paper. The inks are in a rainbow of colors, and the stamps come in different sizes of shells, palms trees, marine life, and slogans such as “Catch of the day” or “Paradise found.” One stamp says: “Near the sea, we forget to count the days.” Add silver or gold glitter embossing powder when your stamped images are still moist. Stencils of shells and fish are popular, too. Postcards are for sale showing a familiar map of the islands that also is available as a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle or a poster. 1620 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-2893.
   It makes sense that Forest of Flowers Christmas Shoppe, which is open year ’round, has holiday cards. “Actually,” says employee Jerry Olson, “we sell quite a few all summer long, especially the Florida-oriented ones.” Customers’ favorites include Arbor Green Publishers’ depictions of Santa Claus playing golf or trying his luck fishing. Also available are Christmas cards by Hawk Publishing of Osprey, Florida. 1622 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-0755.
   The granddaddy of greeting cards, Hallmark, uses fly-fishing and boating themes on its stationery, available at Arundel’s on Sanibel, or at its Captiva branch. The stores also sell greeting cards by Photographic Images of Stuart, Florida, which features pictures of turtle hatchlings, sea oats, a brown pelican, or Florida viewed from the space shuttle. Florida Untamed, of Plantation, features the breathtaking wildlife photography of native Floridian George Rhodes, including green anoles or a close-up shot of a growling panther. Ohioan Clare Wilson’s handmade Underwraps cards are all different: Buttons and shiny paper comprise a hula girl or fish “that are pieces of art, suitable for framing.” 1626 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-8317 or 800/506-7772; Chadwick’s Circle, Unit 1, Captiva, 941/395-0434 or 800/506-7772.
   Jerry’s Foods of Sanibel carries a large selection of all kinds of Ambassador cards. 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-9300. A few doors away, Sanybel’s Finest and its sister store, Captiva’s Finest, feature well-known prints and note cards by one of the city’s “ambassadors,” Police Chief Lew Phillips. His pen-and-ink drawings depict the Sanibel Lighthouse, Pirate Playhouse, the Old Blind Pass Bridge, Captiva’s Chapel by the Sea, and the Edison Home in Ft. Myers. New arrivals are Phillips’ colorful cards showing the Gulf of Mexico and birds. The shops’ owner, Jack Elias, designs attractive Shell Notes of such favorites as the tulip, angel wing, and sunray venus, with prints available, too. Sales assistant Lynda Berg says, “Since we carry many artists’ prints, we try to carry their note cards to team up.” Also included are Jody Bergsma Galleries of Bellingham, Washington, known for prints and note cards of dolphins and manatees; and prints and accompanying stationery by Eileen Seitz and Sherry Vintson. Leanin’ Tree makes colorful fish and sandcastle cards. 1700 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-6776; 110 Chadwick’s Square, Captiva, 941/472-8222.
   A colorful “confetti pac” by Ethnographics comes ready to sprinkle inside its accompanying cards and envelopes. They’re for sale at Needful Things in Tahitian Gardens, as are a fun selection of round postcards and Puzzling Pieces. Old-fashioned photographs adorn cards made by Shade Tree, and beautiful watercolors of flowers are featured in the Julia Bell Collection by Cider Hill. 1995 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-5400.
   Chico’s unique Wear-Me note cards are handcrafted in Thailand for the popular nationwide chain of women’s clothing stores, which got its start on Sanibel. The cards are actually a combination of stationery and jewelry: Each one comes adorned with a metal pin or pendant, usually featuring cats, hearts, or butterflies. 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-0202; Palm Ridge Plaza, Sanibel, 941/472-3773; Chadwick’s Square, Captiva, 941/472-6101; Bell Tower Shops, Ft. Myers, 941/482-2831.
   Send greetings from Sanibel or Captiva on wooden postcards, painted by an artist known as Pat, who winters in the area. You’ll find them at Island Style on Sanibel or Captiva, with instructions to “Place three stamps here and hand cancel.” Coconut Grove, Florida-based artist Lisa Remeny’s greeting cards have photos of her original artwork of palm trees, flowers, the sea, and sunsets. New York City’s Koco Cards uses colorful cutout shapes, collages, or paintings with little poems or sayings. It’s “an active participant and contributor to The Hunger Project” and believes “Communication is essential to human life; when you send a card, you communicate.” Sandy Gingras, author and illustrator of the “How to Live” book series, has cards called “How to Live at the Beach” and “How to Live at the Beach House.” Portal Publications’ SARK line makes cards with tips on “How to be an Artist,” “How to be Really Alive!” and “How to Really Love a Child.” Want to write just to yourself? Journals Unlimited makes lovely diaries. 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-6657; Chadwick’s Square, Unit 210, Captiva, 941/472-4343.
   Pandora’s Box has a stationery selection that is second to none, especially on its second floor. Big sellers are the song cards by Clegg Original Hits. Just open them and hear a burst of “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You;” “My Girl/My Guy;” “Peace and Love;” “Baby, I Need Your Lovin’;” or “I Wanna Stop and Thank You, Baby.” Environmental Notes prints cards with drawings of marine life such as a thorny oyster, murex, queen angelfish, and clown triggerfish. The artist is said to “combine pen and ink with a love for all things in the natural world.” Marcel Shurman’s deluxe stationery features museum works, and Santoro Graphics makes round postcards. Photo cards of flowers, the setting sun, the beach, or a golfer adorn the Passages line by Cardthartic. And don’t miss Design in Paradise’s clever cards: Removable greetings allow you to customize your message. 2075 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-6263.
   In keeping with its literary atmosphere, MacIntosh Book Shop carries a line of Quote Unquote cards, each featuring a famous quotation, illustrated by a black and white photo. A favorite, under a photograph of a cat: “The more one get to know of men, the more one values dogs,” A. Toussenel (1803-1885). MacIntosh also carries a number of tropical-theme cards, including a photographic series by James Colby of Quincy, Massachusetts, consisting of an egret, a gator, palm trees, and Audubon’s porch, among others. Tropical Daze Cards has a stunning photo of a pelican available. For those who favor flora, choose from the botanical collages of Peggy Turner Zablotny, an artist from Martha’s Vineyard who creates her collages from plant materials she grows herself, then turns them into note cards. Of course, when you sit down to write all your cards, where are you going to find the addresses you need? MacIntosh carries several address books, including a particularly beautiful one from the Nature Conservancy. 2365 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, 941/472-1447.
   American Greetings prints wide-ranging lines of cards that are available at Eckerd Drugs, including such favorites as Pet Perspectives, which feature cute and clever animal pictures; Blank Cards for Self Expression, with plenty of space for the sender to write verse or even a short letter; romantic cards called Love Talk, and upbeat ones called Positively! 2331 Palm Ridge Road, Sanibel, 941/472-0085.   
   Humorous cards by Recycled Paper Greetings are for sale at Bailey’s General Store, as are many lighthearted and serious ones by Renaissance. Corner of Tarpon Bay and Periwinkle Way, 941/572-1516. That nationwide line can also be found at Gourmet Captiva, including its attractive Nature’s Garden series. 14820 Captiva Drive, 941/472-4200.
   Also on Captiva, the Island Store sells cards adorned with colorful, darling drawings by Mary Engelbreit, illustrator of such books as Life Is Just a Chair of Bowlies and She Who Loves a Garden. In addition, the store has cards made by DiAnne Myers, who blends elements of nature and the Far East. 11500 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/472-2374.
   The Confused Chameleon carries all-occasion cards by It Takes Two, which features delicate pen-and-ink drawings or watercolors. Pictura Graphica’s glossy photo postcards come in vacation-mode shapes such as a golf ball, mug of beer, and in-line skates; or mouth-watering fruit salad, pizza, and a strawberry. Of course, they do come with envelopes, in case you or your intended want the privacy of a letter. 11528 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/472-0560.
Artist Jim Mazzotta, the proprietor of Jungle Drums Gallery, is known for his Caribbean Soul line of T-shirts, illustrating popular Jimmy Buffett songs such as “Changes in Latitude” and “Cheeseburger in Paradise.” Fortunately, Mazzotta has expanded Caribbean Soul into top-selling boxed note cards, too. 11532 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, 941/395-2266.
   Not surprisingly, greeting cards at the Bubble Room Emporium show off an eye-catching watercolor of the famous restaurant. The scene is painted by artist Doris Zogas of Reading, Pennsylvania. You’ll have fun writing in the card, too, if you buy a bubble pen: One end has a ballpoint and the other end sports a miniature bubble-blowing wand, complete with liquid bubble soap. 15001 Captiva Drive, Captiva, 941/472-6545. —Libby Grimm