Tampa, FL

FloridaRAMA Project

Carnival Queen Seashell Crown, handpicked seashells, ostrich feathers, Acrylic paint, up-cycled jewelry, beads
Lady in Red Seashell Crown, handpicked seashells, Acrylic paint, up-cycled jewelry, gold plated metal feathers, beads
Jeweled Seashells, handpicked seashells, Acrylic paint, up-cycled jewelry

Seashell Queen’s stunning found seashells creations are on view in FloridaRAMA's Mermaid Dressing Room. Florida mermaids are known for their intricate costumes and Seashell Queen’s crowns and bejeweled shells are at the top of every mermaid’s covet list.

Bio—
Seashell Queen artist Iona Parris began her art journey in 2009 in Valdosta, Georgia, when she was in the US Air Force and just back from deployment in Kuwait. Iona was happy to be home, but struggling with PTSD. She needed an outlet to help her adjust to being home. One day, while looking at seashells she collected on her desk, she got out her nail polish and started painting them different colors, discovering how relaxed it made her feel. She enjoyed how painting them gave them a different story and made them look even more beautiful than they already were. Iona shared her creations with family and friends, who encouraged her to pursue art full time, but first she needed a name. In homage to her grandmother, Princess Iona Parris, an elegant and classy woman who loved the beach and all things luxurious, Iona began making art under the name Iona Parris. In 2023, Iona adopted the name “Seashell Queen” and launched her Seashell Queen Collection. Many people have collected Iona’s seashell artwork and jewelry, including movie and TV stars. Iona’s mission is to continue to find and design the best seashells around the world and she says, “seashells are my muses and adding allure and opulence to them is my passion.”