By Steven Lawrence
For many people, retirement is a time to slow down. For Susan Stoler, it became an opportunity to reinvent herself.
After spending years as a corporate manager with JCPenney, Susan traded sales meetings and business strategies for seashells, creativity and coastal inspiration. Today, the Latitude Margaritaville Watersound resident is known throughout the community for her handcrafted artwork made from shells collected along the Emerald Coast.
Each piece begins with a walk on the beach.
“I’ve always loved the Gulf,” Susan says. “There’s something special about finding a shell that has been shaped by the water and imagining what it can become.”
Using shells of different sizes, colors and textures, Susan carefully arranges them into coastal scenes, from sea life and mermaids to lighthouses and a colorful array of stunning decorative designs. Every piece is unique, reflecting both the natural beauty of the Gulf and the patience required to transform simple shells into works of art.
Her transition from corporate management to artist wasn’t something she planned during her working years. Like many retirees, she wanted a hobby that was both relaxing and meaningful. What began as a creative outlet soon became a passion.
Friends and neighbors admired her work and began asking to purchase pieces for their homes. Before long, Susan’s artwork became a familiar sight throughout Latitude Margaritaville Watersound, where many residents proudly display her creations.
Her artwork reflects the lifestyle that draws so many people to Northwest Florida—a love of the beach, nature and coastal living. Rather than painting on canvas, Susan uses materials gathered from the shoreline, giving each piece a genuine connection to the Gulf.
Residents appreciate not only the beauty of her work but also the story behind it. Every shell has its own history, and every finished piece represents hours of careful planning and craftsmanship.
Susan says one of the greatest rewards has been seeing her artwork become part of her neighbors’ homes.
“It’s wonderful knowing something I created brings people joy every day,” she says.
For Susan, retirement hasn’t been about leaving a career behind. Instead, it has been about discovering a new purpose—one that combines creativity, community and a lifelong appreciation for the beauty of our Emerald Coast.
Her story is a reminder that life’s next chapter can be every bit as fulfilling as the first. Sometimes all it takes is a walk along the beach, a handful of seashells and the imagination to see art where others simply see sand.
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