Jewelry Designer makes waves at an Island Gallery

THING TO DO:  Visit island jewelry artist Lisa Holloway at Island Visions Gallery & Gifts. 

Island Jewelry Designer and Artist, Lisa Holloway brings a unique style to Island Visions Gallery & Gifts in the heart of Matlacha, which is an extremely colorful gateway of galleries, fish markets and retail shops on your way to Pine Island, Florida’s largest island.  

Often times, jewelry may hit a chord with a certain type of person, but Holloway’s style seems to appeal to everyone from Hippie to Yuppie. 

Her background of jewelry creation stems from a crafty, self-taught discipline. “I've been known to hand-make everyone's Christmas gifts year after year - sewing, candle and soap making, scrapbooking and now jewelry,” says Holloway.

When she first moved to Florida in 2010, she was lucky enough to begin working at an art gallery, "Island Visions", and she was drawn to a beautiful pair of earrings made by Cavin Richie, a sculptor and jewelry designer out of Colorado.  Being a recent college graduate, she couldn’t afford them, but she was so inspired by Richie’s creation, she took on 3 jobs and one of those jobs was making jewelry. 

 

She began to realize she could sell her works as she was gaining quite a bit of interest in her pieces.  Once that happened, she jumped right in.  “It's been my passion ever since,” Holloway smiled.

She had never taken a class and had been told her wire wrapping technique is actually "backwards" which makes her pieces more unique.

Holloway admits, “Before I made jewelry I wore big chunky, fake jewelry - but now I find that the smallest details are what truly makes each of my creations special.” 

She doesn’t use any plastic/acrylic beads.  Everything is the real deal, including gemstones, glass, crystal and base metals. “I love the base metals - copper, antique brass and gunmetal, are my primary metals. There is something so earthy and natural about those metals, even if you're adding them to bright beads. Mixing metals is, in my opinion, under appreciated,” Holloway explains.

Lisa Holloway

When selling her wares, she has gotten a big kick out of certain purchases,"Like my first piece that went overseas to Finland, or the woman that purchased one of my pieces for her wedding. That was an amazing compliment. And those who come back year after year for new designs I've come up with." 

You can find the very talented Lisa Holloway and her delightful creations at Island Visions Gallery and Gifts at 4643 Pine Island Road in Matlacha, Florida.  Below is the building you are looking for and parking is conveniently located across the street, on the side street.

-Written by Jennifer Russell, "Things to DO on Pine Island" contributor

Calusa Heritage Trail - Great Attraction on Pine Island

Thing to DO:  Brush up on your history and take nature walk on Pine Island!

The historic Calusa Heritage Trail, a Randell Research Center operation is a "must see" on Pine Island for history buffs and nature lovers.

The trail is just under a mile path which leads you to observation platforms overlooking vistas and Pineland's coastline from 30-foot high Calusa Indian mounds.  It's quite scenic and has shady areas,  grass covered meadows with native flora interspersed.  These days it is extremely rare to see Florida in its very natural state and this is one of the last remaining places you can take a peak into the past. 

observation platform view

The museum on site boasts a theater to help educate you on the Calusa Indians, who were a fierce, war-like indian tribe that dominated South Florida's coastline for a time in history.  The museum also has a gift shop for rare souvenirs to take home.

Outside the Museum

You can self walk this trail as there are trail placards to help guide you on what you are seeing as you meander through.  There are also observation platforms that allow for the best views of the landscape.

educational placard at one of your stops on the trail

Expect easy parking, restrooms and a picnic area at this site for a great outing on Pine Island. Hours are 10am to 4pm Monday thru Saturday.  Find the Calusa Heritage Trail & Museum at 13810 Waterfront Drive, Pineland, Pine Island 33945.

Look for this sign and park here

Written by Jennifer Russell, key contributot for "Things to DO on Pine Island".