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Actually the name of the store is Surprise! It is a little hidden wonder on the way to Ft. Myers Beach. Rose Ressa, a delightful woman, is the owner and has had the store for eight years.

I have been by it umpteen times and never noticed it so I am telling you about it so you will notice it and put it on your must do list. It is a treasure trove of the most outstanding artists, local, national and international!

She chooses things for perfection, beauty and being unusual. Her jewelry cases will absolutely dazzle you! What a selection to choose from and each piece is a work of art ... handcrafted dichroic glass in pendants,and earrings, sterling silver in dainty time consuming filigree, gold and precious stones in the most unusual settings. Outstanding pieces from Chopard, the jewelry worn by the stars! I loved the black and white diamond pendent with floating diamonds in the center or for Valentine's Day a square diamond pendant with a small heart in the center with one floating diamond in it. She has embellished watches of every color and the earrings ... you won't know which ones to choose!

I have never seen the quality of hand painted silk shirts and blouses but the hand painted silk dresses were truly a work of art...one of a kind. Long dresses in a beautiful array of color some with a matching shawl. One that caught my eye was a body suit that holds you in all the right places with a frilly dress on top with a flouncy skirt by an Italian designer.

Rose herself is an artist and plans on painting on clothing in the near future she is working on a line now. She also designs and knits unusual scarves and shawls in interesting textures. Some nubby or furry some with beads in all color combinations. She will design one for you!

The hand blown glass is a knock out in a variety of colorful bowls, plates and vases. Most everything in Surprise! is hand crafted, the hand blown perfume bottles are no exception and are signed, a real work of art.

She has a whole case of Mary Francis purses ... I think I want the one with the leopard on it and all the bead work next! They are so individual. Priced from $149-249. I loved the little beaded handbags with a palm tree, flip flop or fish beaded into them at only $18.95.

You will find whimsical items here too like the Fanciful Flight hand painted ornaments or the glass or beaded ornaments in jewel colors.

There is so much to see in this little shop that you have to stay a while and browse. Jeweled frames, awesome contemporary clocks, hand blown lamps, miniature water colors. Photos from a local artist of a single rose on stretched canvas from small to large. Pottery, ceramics, darling pet dishes, wind chimes and cards. Unusual cards were hand made and have a pin attached that you send and wear! A card and gift at the same time! There were larger pins on small notes that came in a mailable plastic box.

I had to be in this shop an hour and I didn't come close to seeing it all! You would never expect to find a shop of this caliber on the beach! No tee shirts here!!

You won't be disappointed to go check out Surprise! Gift Gallery!! It is painted a salmon color and is located at 1901-106 Estero Blvd. Ft. Myers Beach. Phone 765-4840. Hours are 10-8 Mon-Sat Closed on Sun. It's better than going to a gallery ... you can see a wide variety in one stop! Enjoy!