Artist Creations Shine at Art and Craft Show

Katherine Burdette definitely found her first time to be a charm, where the Marco Island Center for the Arts Art and Craft show was concerned. 

The artist and part-time Naples resident was a first-time vendor at the recent weekend-long event held on the center’s Winterberry Drive grounds. On the final day, with the tent protecting her “My She Shells” creations and providing a welcome respite from the heat, she reflected on the experience. 

“I think it's really fun,” said Burdette, who specializes in handmaid nautical gifts, decoupaged and painted sea shells, and ring and trinket dishes as party favors. “I think the visitors to Marco Island are looking for some excitement, some different types of gifts to take home for friends and family, little mementos to take home to remind them of how beautiful their vacation was here.” 

This was the eighth year Bridget Chandler brought her Captiva Blue Jewelry Designs to the show from her home in Fort Myers. “I just enjoy it,” she said. “I have a lot of regulars that buy from me.” 

Like Burdette, vendor Lucy Bromberg of North Port is a snowbird who spends part of the year in New Jersey. And like Chandler, the creative force behind Luci’s Lazy Susan’s has become a regular at the center’s Art and Craft Show. 

“I love this festival because of the location,” said Bromberg. “It's right by the Art Center here, and a lot of people come to both the pottery exhibits inside and the art show outside. It's a beautiful location and there's lots of parking. A lot of people can come in and out. They can walk their dogs through. They can shop at their leisure. It's two days long so people can see something, think about it and come back. So it's just an opportunity to get more of our things out to people. And Marco Island, I love it. I come to Marco all the time.”