Shells and Beads for crafting (Tamiami, Sarasota: for sale, 2015, living)

[goldentraveler]

Will be making a visit to Sarasota and Venice, would like to get answers to the following: Are there any shops that sell seashells exclusively, or a gift shop that sells a wide selection of shells? Also, besides the craft stores are there any good bead shops in Sarasota or Venice area. I remember that some of them closed in the last 5 or 6 years. Lastly, what is the best beach for shell collecting? Thanks in advance for your help.

[photoman_6]

there is a store at the Red Barn on 41 in Bradenton. It's on the West side of the main building, and sells a lot souvenirs but also many seashells. just google Red Barn in Maps

[sixstring09]

Shells on Sarasota and Venice beaches are pretty picked over and limited.

If you are into shelling I would suggest Captiva Island as I think that is the best. There are shell stores on Sanibel that you have to drive past to get there with tons. I think captiva is better than sanibel for shelling.

Now getting to Captiva from sarasota county is a 1.75hr drive each way but you can make it in a day trip if you are serious on getting a good variety of shells.

[Ladywithafan]

Google bead shops in Sarasota & Bradenton.

[goldentraveler]

Thank you everyone. If nothing else, we'll enjoy the beautiful beach!

[MissingHumanDecency]

If you're willing to drive a little further south on your visit, Lee County has a couple of places that might be of interest.

For shells to craft with: The Shell Factory in North Fort Myers (Tamiami Trl/US 41). All kinds of shells from around the world for sale. More info at https://www.thefloridalivingmagazine...ts-in-florida/

Also refer to https://www.news-press.com/story/mon...orida/6102387/ for other places in the area

I just mapped Shell Factory from Sharky's on the Pier in Venice and it's an hour's drive down I-75.

For actual shelling: As sixstring09 suggested, Sanibel and Captiva, are known places for thousands of shells to appear because of their geography. Find out more at https://sanibel-captiva.org/sanibel-island-shelling/.

From the Shell Factory, it's showing 45 minutes to the lighthouse on Sanibel. If you love shells, they are well worth the trip. One thing to note is that not all beaches are created equal here in FL so it's always interesting to get out and see new ones. For example, the sand at Venice Beach is kind of coarse and very hot under your feet whereas Fort Myers Beach is like walking on cold, powdered sugar. Sanibel and Captiva are also pretty warm underfoot and Sanibel, of course, is just covered in shells which makes it a little more coarse to walk on near the water's edge. If you're going to be around on a Sunday, I'd suggest adding in a stop to the ever-popular Farmer's Market on Sanibel which just so happens to be across the street from an awesome eatery called The Island Cow.

Enjoy your visit!

[sware2cod]

Many of the gift shops / tourist shops have nice seashells of all varieties for reasonable prices. There are several such shops on West Venice Avenue in downtown Venice.

Google downtown Venice Fl for the location of the downtown shopping area.