Matlacha Tropical Jewelry and Hammocks now open
Jasmina Pirganoski was influenced in large part by the art world from the time she was just a girl in Macedonia. Even her surroundings were burgeoning with architecture everywhere she looked.
Having grown up with a sister who is a fairly well known artist in Macedonia, Pirganoski had an inborn artful bent, which she directed toward jewelry. She and her husband, Artur, moved to the U.S. in 2005. It wasn’t long before she began working at a mom-and-pop jewelry store in Key West. In 2012, she said, they made their way closer by moving to Fort Myers, where they opened a business on Fort Myers Beach, and not long after that they fell in love with Matlacha after frequenting Miceli’s.
The Pirganoskis, who opened Matlacha Tropical Jewelry and Hammocks on Oct. 1, were planning on a smaller store to sell their jewelry, and found they could easily sell hammocks as well, with all the extra room.
The store carries mainly things you cannot find at a mall, she said, adding that she loves to create and customize the jewelry that they sell. Two of the employees have their art on display at the store: Kate Swanstorm and Laurie Weigold, with jewelry designs from the Kovel Collection, Anna Grant, Denny Wong and Bezak.
“Everything is nautical, tropical and we try to carry local designers,” Pirganoski said.
Along with an array of bangles and jewels, Pirganoski has a plan to create something specific to Matlacha, as they have a bracelet she fashioned for Fort Myers Beach. In the future, the couple would like to retire on Pine Island, she said, increasing her own jewelry line. Currently, the couple keeps busy between the store they own on Fort Myers Beach and the one here in Matlacha.
Her husband, she said, is greatly supportive of both the business and her jewelry line.
“He was the one that surprised me five years ago with a key to the store for my birthday,” Pirganoski said of their Fort Myers Beach store.
“We feel very welcomed by islanders since we have been here,” she said, adding that the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce and Matlacha Hookers have been especially kind to them.
Having lived in Key West for a number of years makes the landscape in Matlacha seem very familiar, with the island feel and multi-colored stores designed for those who love to walk and shop, said Pirganoski.
“Come and see us. We have very fun and unique jewelry, you won’t see anywhere else,” Pirganoski said.
Matlacha Tropical Jewelry and Hammocks is located at 4547 Pine Island Road in Matlacha.