Local Coastal Artists and Their Inspiring Art

Hey ya'll, I'm Tammi, also known as Grandma T's Picket Fences. It's funny how I embarked on this adventure of mine... it all started on a dare. Back in 2013, after buying several pieces from a vendor in Augusta, GA, she challenged me to try my hand at this craft. I initially thought, 'Oh, I couldn't do that,' but her encouragement pushed me to give it a shot, and here I am 11 years later, enjoying the best time of my life. At one point during these years, I worked for the airlines and joked that crafting was my therapy from airport life. Now that I've retired from that, creating coastal art and woodworking art has become a full-time, fun, and therapeutic journey for me. I love transforming old pieces of furniture, giving them new life and creating AHA moments for someone. My expertise shines when I'm crafting tables, shelves, and hall trees from antique doors. It's also wonderful meeting locals who want a boost of confidence in designing their 'happy place.' I feel blessed to be among Jacksonville Beach artists and local artists, and I give God all the glory for the talent He has bestowed upon me, including my handmade jewelry creations!

My name is Jo Crawford. As long as I can remember, I have loved all things beach-related, which fuels my passion for coastal art. I am a self-taught artist and woodworker, creating unique pieces that reflect my love for the ocean. Whether I'm painting on canvas, wood, palm fronds, gourds, metal, glass, or paper, I embrace every opportunity to express myself through various mediums. I craft woodworking art that includes my interpretations of fish, coastal animals, and birds, inspired by the beauty around Jacksonville Beach, where local artists thrive. I strive to use my imagination to envision what each piece wants to be and bring that vision to life. I create many outdoor items, including seasonal decor, all infused with a strong coastal vibe. You’ll notice that I use vibrant colors in my art because color makes me happy! My hope is to evoke joy and love in others who see each piece, just as they bring me joy and love in return. Additionally, I explore handmade jewelry, which complements my coastal theme and celebrates my artistic journey.

I joined Seaside Shoppes in 2017 while I was making pottery, and now I proudly offer a colorful SeaSky line of tie-dyed shirts and socks, alongside lino prints, photography, and occasionally a touch of Weird Art. My collection also features House of Stonz crystals and rocks to promote positive energy and celebrate the beauty of nature, which resonates with the style of local artists and the coastal art scene here. 

Being an artist has always been my passion. Throughout school, I took every art course available, and I fell in love with pottery during my first class in 1994 when I relocated here. Over the years, I have showcased my pottery at various local shops and at North Beaches Art Walk, forging connections with Jacksonville Beach artists and art enthusiasts along the way. Seaside Shoppes has provided me a welcoming home and supportive customers who appreciate the craftsmanship of handmade jewelry, woodworking art, and more. 

In recent years, I have expanded my artistic practice, exploring diverse art mediums. Making connections through art is incredibly important to me, and I hope my creations give you a reason to smile today.

As a young woman, I loved to sew, knit, and macramé, but making a living as a high school teacher in the Midwest and later as a professor and administrator at the University of North Florida left little room for my passion for crafts. However, after I partially retired from UNF in 2013, I finally had the time and energy to rekindle my interests in fabric, beads, leather, and string. I enjoy experimenting with colors, textures, and shapes, and creating handmade jewelry has become an important aspect of my life. I'm particularly inspired by the coastal art and the vibrant community of Jacksonville Beach artists. I am grateful to the local artists and craftsmen at Seaside Shoppes, whose encouragement and helpful advice have been invaluable. Additionally, I've developed an appreciation for woodworking art, which further enriches my creative journey.

I taught myself to paint when I was 19 after watching people create beautiful coastal art on PBS. I started out using oils and worked with that medium for many years. Eventually, I shifted to painting on clothing and exploring other crafts. In the early 90s, I began mural painting throughout Jacksonville, including notable projects for home builders who wanted faux finishes and murals for their model homes. One of my special projects was a nursery for a Jaguars player in Queens Harbor. I've proudly been part of the shop since Joy opened on Shetter Avenue, and later, she moved us to our current location. For many years, I also created furniture pieces alongside my artwork, but now I’m focused more on my artwork and collaborating with other local artists. I am excited to share my passion through my creations, which include woodworking art and unique handmade jewelry that reflect my love for the art community in Jacksonville Beach.

So glad you’re here! My name’s Mehgan, and I was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL! Since I was a little girl, I always considered myself a “crafter.” A year ago, I took a leap of faith to become a creative entrepreneur, bringing creative visions to life through woodworking art, calligraphy, and unique artistry. I also love creating coastal art and handmade jewelry that reflect the vibrant spirit of our community. I truly enjoy how blends of colors evoke emotion to tell a story, and how personalized touches make each piece feel like family! At the heart of my work is a desire to inspire other women, especially in our area of Jacksonville Beach, to believe that they too can create, “Because who says that crafting is only for kids!” As a proud member of the local artists scene, I aim to showcase the beauty of handmade creations and empower others to join this wonderful journey.

As a proud vendor of the Seaside Shoppes since 2016, I have showcased an array of eclectic, bohemian, and coastal furniture and decor, featuring one-of-a-kind handmade pieces. Living in coastal Florida, I draw inspiration from the ocean's hues, sunrises, and sunsets. My passion for woodworking art is evident in my creations, and as a local artist among Jacksonville Beach artists, I embody a gypsy soul with a hippie spirit. My art, often influenced by 70s music, reflects my personality, including unique handmade jewelry.

Diane Gibbs, also known as Nana’s Cabana, is one of the original artists and vendors who joined the Seaside Shoppes 15 years ago. Her travels to the Bahamas and passion for the ocean inspire her lifelong hobby of collecting Seaglass, famously referred to as Mermaid tears. Diane crafts a stunning array of handmade jewelry featuring Seaglass along with other coastal art elements, including oyster shells, sand, and various beachy treasures. She takes pride in being part of the vibrant community of local artists at Seaside Shoppes, where she often showcases her skills and craftsmanship on Sunday afternoons.

Alli Flores focuses on creating small batch functional and sculptural ceramics from her home studio in Jacksonville, Florida. At Flo Pottery, each piece is lovingly handmade over the course of several weeks, ensuring that the work stands out as unique and finely crafted coastal art. Crafted from white stoneware fired to cone 6, Flo Pottery draws inspiration from nature, with a particular emphasis on nautical and coastal elements. Alli’s passion lies in creating ceramics that are not only beautiful to view but also practical and functional, encouraging people to touch and hold her pieces. As an art specialist at JCDS in Jacksonville, FL, she has nurtured young talent as an elementary art teacher since 2012. Having started her journey in ceramics in 2008 and establishing Flo Pottery in 2017, Alli holds a BFA in Art Education and a BFA in Art with a focus on ceramics from VSU, along with a Master's degree in Art Education from the University of Florida. Within the vibrant community of Jacksonville Beach artists and local artists, her work stands out alongside other forms of creativity, including handmade jewelry and woodworking art.

Hello! I love being a vendor at Seaside Shoppes, a space that celebrates local artists, including myself and other talented Jacksonville Beach artists. The majority of my work revolves around painting and restoring furniture, but I also create unique home decor items, such as painted oars, coat hooks, votive candles, napkin rings, and tissue box covers, which showcase my passion for woodworking art. Five years ago, during an 8-month leave of absence for breast cancer treatment, I started painting furniture as a way to distract myself from the side effects of chemotherapy. After my treatment, I continued restoring and painting furniture for friends and family, ultimately leaving my job as a speech-language pathologist to pursue my passion for creating coastal art full-time. It's such a rewarding feeling to craft handmade jewelry and decor with my hands, and I love that I’m the one in my family who asks for power tools for my birthday and Christmas!