Happy Little Cottages By The Sea

Cottage Charm, Coastal Calm

October 2011

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween everyone! Since today is about all things spooky, and nothing says Halloween more than pumpkins, we though we’d share some amazing pumpkins with you! There are even a few pirates and a pretty frightening fish in the mix!

Just a fraction of the amazing talent of Ray Villifane!

These fabulous creations are the work of the outrageously talented artist, Ray Villifane of Villifane Studios. Aren’t they amazing? Mind-blowing would even be a better word! His pumpkins are world famous, but he doesn’t just stop with gorgeous gourds; Ray is also an amazing sand sculptor as well.

There are so many exquisite examples of his work on his website, so make sure you head over there for even more amazing art! You can even follow him on the Villifane Studios Facebook Page. Grab a cup of coffee or hot cider and spend some time in his galleries. His work is truly out-of-this-world!

Have a wonderful night boys and ghouls! Remember to be safe while you are out and about tonight. Happy Haunting from Mermaid Cottages!

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1st Annual Mermaid Cottages Writer Retreats

…and the characters came forth to reveal themselves  in my Mermaid Cottages retreat by the sea…

 

Mermaid Cottages is now accepting applications for our 1st Annual Mermaid Cottages Writer Retreats.

Published authors and journalists are invited to apply for a complimentary Mermaid Cottages writing getaway.

Please copy and email this application request to diane@mermaidcottages.com.

 

Name:

Email Address:

Brief Biography:

Title(s) of Last Book(s), date of publication, and publishing house of my latest Book(s):

 

Title(s) of Published Works in Journalism, Newspapers, Print, etc, Name of Publication (Magazine, Newspaper,  etc) and Date Published:

Please give us three choices of dates for your writer retreat:

Please let us know the type of cottage you’d like to request:

_____ Pet Friendly

_____ Number of Bedrooms

_____ Number of Baths

_____Ground Level

_____ Raised Cottage

Is there a specific cottage you’d like to request (based on availability)?

Statement of Intent:

_____I understand I will be submitting a short story or essay of at least 1500 words to Mermaid Cottages in exchange for my stay from _______________ to _______________ (7 day, 6 night maximum stay from November 2011 to March 2012, excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and Special Event Dates). I also understand if my application is accepted I will be required to sign a separate permission form to allow Mermaid Cottages to publish my submitted short story/essay.

In exchange for this complimentary vacation cottage stay, writers agree to submit a short story or essay to Mermaid Cottages to possibly be included in a published compendium of stories about Tybee Island, GA. Authors will agree to license Mermaid Cottages to use their story in a published book, along with proper credit and a biography of each author, on the Mermaid Cottages’ website, and in any way to promote Mermaid Cottages Writer Retreats.

A writer’s story or essay must be a minimum of 1500 words and revolve around Tybee Island, or some aspect of the locale, either as a setting or a subject. We highly recommend the story line also include in some way the cottage in which the writer stays. Any literary genre of story or essay is acceptable, including but not limited to memoir, mystery, fantasy, romance, horror, fiction and non-fiction.

An agreement to write and permission to license your story will be part of the application to your Mermaid Cottages retreat. Stories must be submitted as a Word document within 30 days of the end of your stay at Mermaid Cottages.

We support the arts and want to publicize Tybee Island and Mermaid Cottages as a unique artistic retreat. It is our hope that these retreats will become a regular feature of our island and the publication of a book of short stories will serve to promote the arts in our area.

Applications will be accepted and booked on a first come basis as availability is limited.

1st Annual Mermaid Cottages Writer Retreats Read More »

Mermaids in Our Midst: Jessica from New Mexico

Nothing makes us happier than hearing from you, our cherished guests. We had the best summer ever, and we can’t wait to see what autumn brings here on Tybee. We were so excited to read this lovely letter from Jessica, who recently visited our Crabby Jo’s Cottage all the way from New Mexico!

“We loved everything about Crabby Jo’s! The bedrooms were a bit small but that wasn’t a problem. There were three adults, one teenager, and two small children in our party (with numerous visitors during the day) and we all fit just fine. The extra showers downstairs were perfect for hosing off before venturing in after a day at the beach. While not “baby proofed” I felt comfortable letting my kids (age 3 and 11 months) wander freely about the home – it was very clean and well-kept. The beach, just steps away, was a dream – We even saw baby turtle tracks! The rest of Tybee Island was wonderful as well – we ate a number of local restaurants, visited numerous shops, hung out at the pier, and even purchased some kitschy art to bring back home to New Mexico (it’s a giant fish made out of scrap metal and an old boogie board!). We drove nearly 27 hours to visit Tybee (with two wee ones in the car) and I’d do it all over again. And I’d definitely stay at Crabby Jo’s again. Thank you for sharing your home with us!”

Thank you so much for sharing Jessica! We are overjoyed to hear that your time on Tybee Island was well spent! Twenty-seven hours is quite a trip, but we hope you can make it back real soon!

Have you stayed with us at Mermaid Cottages? We like nothing more than hearing from our guests. Please, don’t hesitate to let us know how your stay was! You can’t contact us by email at diane@mermaidcottages.com, or even leave your review on our Mermaid Cottages Facebook Page! Hearing from you, our Mermaid Family, just makes our day and we can’t wait to hear from you soon!

Mermaids in Our Midst: Jessica from New Mexico Read More »

Lewis Avenue Trick-or-Treat Event

imagesource.com

Are you looking for something fun and family friendly to do this Halloween? Well look no further! Come to Tybee for your trick-or-treating!  Trick-or-treat on Lewis Avenue is back again this year. Monday, October 31st, if the big day and Tybee is buzzing with excitement!

We hope you have your costumes ready because the fun begins at 6:30 p.m. and runs to 9 p.m. The Lewis Avenue Halloween event is attended by guest from all over the Savannah area and any assistance you can provide will help out both the island’s public safety staff and Lewis Avenue residents more than you know!! In preparation for the big night, there will be a barrel in the lobby at City Hall as well as at the Fire Station at Jones and Fifth Street. These barrels are where non-Lewis Avenue residents can donate candy to be given out the Tybee Island Fire and Police Departments. Please stop by and donate if you’d like!

Remember to be safe and look both ways while out haunting, no matter where you might be. We sure hope to see all you boys and ghouls on Lewis Avenue this Halloween!

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1st Annual Mermaid Cottages Writer Retreats

Mermaid Cottages is now accepting applications for our first Mermaid Cottages Writer Retreats.

Published authors and journalists are invited to apply for a complimentary Mermaid Cottages writing getaway.

Please copy and email this application request to diane@mermaidcottages.com.

Name:

Email Address:

Brief Biography:

Title(s) of Last Book(s), date of publication, and publishing house of my latest Book(s):

Title(s) of Published Works in Journalism, Newspapers, Print, etc, Name of Publication (Magazine, Newspaper,  etc) and Date Published:

Please give us three choices of dates for your writer retreat:

Please let us know the type of cottage you’d like to request:

_____ Pet Friendly

_____ Number of Bedrooms

_____ Number of Baths

_____Ground Level

_____ Raised Cottage

Is there a specific cottage you’d like to request (based on availability)?

Statement of Intent:

_____I understand I will be submitting a short story or essay of at least 1500 words to Mermaid Cottages in exchange for my stay from _______________ to _______________ (7 day/6 night maximum stay from November 2011 to March 2012). I also understand if my application is accepted I will be required to sign a separate permission form to allow Mermaid Cottages to publish my submitted short story/essay.

In exchange for this complimentary vacation cottage stay, writers agree to submit a short story or essay to Mermaid Cottages to possibly be included in a published compendium of stories about Tybee Island, GA. Authors will agree to license Mermaid Cottages to use their story in a published book, along with proper credit and a biography of each author, on the Mermaid Cottages’ website, and in any way to promote Mermaid Cottages Writer Retreats.

A writer’s story or essay must be a minimum of 1500 words and revolve around Tybee Island, or some aspect of the locale, either as a setting or a subject. We highly recommend the story line also include in some way the cottage in which the writer stays. Any literary genre of story or essay is acceptable, including but not limited to memoir, mystery, fantasy, romance, horror, fiction and non-fiction.

An agreement to write and permission to license your story will be part of the application to your Mermaid Cottages retreat. Stories must be submitted as a Word document within 30 days of the end of your stay at Mermaid Cottages.

We support the arts and want to publicize Tybee Island and Mermaid Cottages as a unique artistic retreat. It is our hope that these retreats will become a regular feature of our island and the publication of a book of short stories will serve to promote the arts in our area.

Applications will be accepted and booked on a first come basis as availability is limited.

1st Annual Mermaid Cottages Writer Retreats Read More »