Anne, David and Michael Joffe , are the driving forces behind the two She Sells Sea Shells stores on Sanibel, along with their friendly store personel and talented craft workers. What started as a simple Mom & Pop operation that originated in Louisville, Kentucky in 1973, is now a world-recognized, award-winning, business. It is open 365 days a year, a must-see stop for everyone who visits Sanibel.

Anne Joffe---Shell Expert, Shell Show Judge, Author, Shell Craft Designer

Anne Joffe’s love for shells dates back to her childhood when she hunted for clams near her Boston home and during summer trips to her grandparents’ beachfront havens on Nantasket and Cape Cod. She received a degree in microbiology from Mount Ida College in Boston, which explains her interest in the scientific study and collection of shells.

Anne is universally recognized as a top authority on shells and shell crafts. Along with writing Shellcrafting, Anne has collaborated on other publications with Harlan Wittkoff and Peter Dance, and she has contributed shelling and craft columns to local newspapers and magazines. Anne is frequently invited to judge scientific and artistic shell competitions, including the world- famous annual Sanibel Shell Show and Fair ..  She gives shelling lectures, teaches shell craft workshops, and leads shelling expeditions around the world.

Anne Joffe is deeply involved in the local and national shelling scene. She is currently president of the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club and In 1978, started the Club’s annual Scholarship Award, which is still given. She is currently President Emeritus of the the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum’s board of directors. She is past president of the Conchologists of America, and is currently serving on their Board as the organization’s convention coordinator, and she is past treasurer of the American Malacological Society.

Anne is now, and has been the Chairperson for the Annual Sanibel Shell Fair and Show, for most of the past 33 years.Anne has won prizes for her craft creations and her personal shell exhibits. She Sells Sea Shells has also won many commercial craft exhibit awards.

According to Anne Joffe, “Sanibel is synonymous with shelling,” and she feels fortunate to have turned her favorite pastime into an internationally renowned enterprise. “My hobby became my business, my hobby actually became my life,” she said. “I’ve been very lucky. I’ve been able to turn what I like to do into a viable living and business.”

She Sells Sea Shells has been featured in many magazines and newspapers world wide:

Delta's Sky Magazine's feature story about souvenir shops highlighted Sanibel's own She Sells Sea Shells. The writer happened on the shell boutique and left with a unique purchase, "Shell Man...a bug eyed character composed entirely of seashells sitting in a chair with a burger in one hand and a soda in the other."

YankeeMagazine.com highlights She Sells Sea Shells on Sanibel as the "... place to pick up nearly any shell you want from a rare junonia to a lion's paw."

Southern Living makes a point of directing visitors to She Sells Sea Shells for "crafty souvenirs from Sanibel's shores". The fabulous southern lifestyles magazine suggests rewarding yourself with a junonia from the famous Sanibel shell shop.

According to Business Traveler Magazine, "If you don't have any luck finding the perfect conch shell....She Sells Sea Shells has a vast array of pure, undamaged specimens...."

Sailor's Valentine article in Martha Stewart Magazine gives special thanks to She Sells Sea Shells owner Anne Joffe.

Voyageur Magazine writes that the owner of She Sell Sea Shells "wrote the book on shell craftmanship" and that her two stores are "well stocked with supplies and specimens."

America West Magazine named She Sells Sea Shells as one of Sanibel's Best Shell Shops.