Blogs

What a lovely day for a drive....the nice cool weather and a trip to Bokeelia right on the water.

It is worth the drive just to go to the Crossed Palms Gallery. Jeff works there, knows all the artists and does the buying. He goes to the various studios and hand-picks what he wants in the gallery. A lot of it is from the Ashville area near the art schools. His mom used to own the gallery ... Jeff said he came with it in the sale!

It was an old fisherman's cottage, has the original wood floors and a tiny old stove sitting just inside the front door. Just outside is one of the largest seagrape trees on the island, over 100 years old. Also a large gumbo limbo tree. A beautiful setting!

The artists come from all over and he chooses only the finest. He in fact knows every piece in the gallery, who made it and where it comes from. He is very personable and a wealth of information.



You will find bracelets and necklaces by various artists, hand crafted silver earrings. Unusual watches with art objects on the band $225. All jewelry is either 10K, 14K or sterling. Steuart Nye had lovely light weight, hand made earrings as low as $20. Ben Dyer from Hillsboro, N.C. has high quality jewelry in 14 K gold. Then there is the high end gold smith from Hawaii, Evan Lloyd, all his work is in 14 K.

Absolutely gorgeous pottery in beautiful hues of blues. There is stained glass from N. Carolina. Outstanding stained glass windows $175.,500.and $650. The stain glass suncatchers were only $15-45. Blown glass from Florida and N. Carolina in all colors at various prices. Don't miss the Blenko hand made glass. And hand blown glass from St. Pete.

He has a few Ikki Matsumoto's from Sanibel but he has now moved back to Ohio and his work is getting difficult to find. There is beautiful art work all over the studio from $35. for a small piece to well in the hundreds.

There is a Raku, zoo animal, whistle collection, copper pieces, colored wind chimes from N. Georgia from $25-60. Precious glass humming birds from Taos N. Mexico, $15-20. Painted furniture in Florida styles, hand made dolls by Lizzie Oz, carved woods from Newberry Mass.

It is like taking a trip around the U.S. to see this wonderful collection of all these talented artists. You would be proud to have any of these pieces in your home! Plus it is a great drive!!

Crossed Palms Gallery is on Charlotte Harbor at 8315 Main Street, Bokeelia. Phone 283-2283. Open daily 11am to 5 pm. ENJOY!!