On Saturday, Feb. 12, Nica Rose Silver will be celebrating its first anniversary on the Island. Owners John Malan and Susan Eacker opened the custom jewelry store last February in Holmes Beach. Nica Rose specializes in Swarovski crystal, sterling and ethnic silver and semi-precious stone jewelry, all handmade on the premises. They just received a shipment of Swarovski crystal hearts and have been quite busy creating necklaces and earrings that incorporate the crystal hearts, just in time for Valentine's Day.

Patrons can choose from any of Nica Rose's best-selling pieces, all custom sized to any length, or they can design their own jewelry using any of the beads available in the store. Nica Rose carries over 30 colors of Swarovski crystal and can create a sparkling piece of jewelry for any occasion from proms to weddings.

Eacker (her nickname, "Nica Rose," was bestowed on her by her husband John Malan) traces her ancestary in the area to the late 1800s. Her great-grandfather was Capt. W.T. Fulford, one of the original settlers of Cortez. Her grandmother was Sally Fulford Moore, of Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant on Longboat Key, and her mother, Polly Moore, was born on the Island.

Eacker says she wouldn't want to live or work anyplace else. "I love this Island and the people here. Both fulltime and seasonal residents have helped to make our business sucessful and thus allowed us to live in this special place. For that I want to thank them."

The anniversary celebration will be held Saturday, Feb. 12. Free Swarovski crystal earrings will be given to the first 50 patrons and Eacker will be serving her "almost famous" guacamole and sangria. The shop, located at 5508 Marina Drive, will be open till 8 p.m. so that everyone can help celebrate as well as shop for special Valentine's gifts.