Katie Gardenia now lives in a self-proclaimed fairyland but her growing up was anything but. She spent time in an orphanage and struggled through her formal education being kicked out of various schools along the way. She began making dolls around the age of 31 because she never had a doll as a child. Katie's whimsical figures have a magical almost old-world quality about them. Bringing fabric and texture together in such a way to evoke personalities in her doll-like figures so that each evokes a unique character. Katie also creates jewelry, unique upholstery, and items of clothing such as an embellished shawl that she made for the rock legend Stevie Nicks. Another one of Katie’s greatest pleasures was designing and needlepointing 12 dining chairs for Lady Bird Johnson while living in San Antonio, TX.

Katie Gardenia created and owned the whimsical Bubble Room restaurant on Captiva Island for several years. It was famous for serving the biggest slices of homemade cake which looked like they were designed for an art gallery. Katie authored a book entitled “A Bubble Moment” which is a combination of a cookbook and a coffee table book. In her book, she shares all her recipes, including red velvet cake, bubble bread and orange crunch cake. To call her creation a "Book" is an understatement. It's a work of art. Each page unlocks your imagination in a way that only Katie can do. Her creativity is boundless.

The grand reopening of The Bubble Room on Captiva in 2025 has many first-timers curious about the unique history of this one-of-a-kind dining experience. Her book "A Bubble Moment" is an incredible account of passion, imagination, grit, struggle, practicality and community. It's a testimonial. Readers come away with many powerful lessons: Follow your dream, be willing to pivot, make do with what you have, and learn how to make lemons into lemon aid. And if you want to know if "Gardenia" is Katie's real last name, you will need to read rest of her story...

Learn more about Katie and how to Purchase Katie Gardenia's "A Bubble Moment" and her fabric sculptures and fiber art creations. Unleash your imagination and enjoy!

Since selling the restaurant in 1989, Gardenia has concentrated on her art. She is a gifted artist who brings the world of dreams and fantasies to life with her creations.