“It’s like antique road show” my husband said, as my brother, nephews and sister-in-law sat at the dining-room table unloading their treasures. They were eager and excited. K. had found a yellow and white marble. My oldest nephew, a cobalt blue. My sister-in-law found a range of items, especially weathered pieces, soft and round. My brother found a bottle base with words. The joy of sharing, being swept up in the hunt and bounding into our house is best. My husband served drinks and set the table. We ordered take out. The kids eventually moved into the living room to play wild bowling setting up pins in crazy designs making it almost impossible for the bowler to hit them.
“They’re here,” my daughter said as I was waking from my nap. I had been to the farmer’s market and met many people and had a day of so-so sales. I didn’t bring signs saying what my table was. Some people didn’t know it was sea glass and others walked right by the table. I had tried a new display which looked nice but had so many pieces hanging that it was hard to focus. Each week I learn more about how to display work, how to price it and how to quickly pack in case it rains. And yet, my friends showed their support by coming and visiting. I saw a dear friend back from vacation and her relative. I saw another friend, and her little girl, back from their vacation. My brother’s family all showed up to say hello. It is a family and community scene. Friends from our neighboring town and play group were there. My daughter, proud of her display of earrings in the corner. The five-year olds emptying the fresh blueberries after finishing their slushy lemonades. We had coffee from the new vendor and ate the best damn granola from THE BEST DAMN GRANOLA woman.
I still find it hard to tell others that there’s a farmer’s market where I sell my work. Those who love sea glass return to talk about the hunt or wear new pieces. Many are interested in learning how to wrap their own gems and how I understand that desire! But I love the sharing of this passion with others and the people who do gasp, who also love sea glass and the range of styles it can become in earring or pendant form.
I taught a workshop on Friday at New England Village and it was wonderful!!! It was for residents with mental retardation and development displays. The group was eager, medium-size and I felt much more confident than I did the first time I taught. Teaching is not a natural gift I possess. I get nervous, talk to much and don’t always give clear directions. But, this group was interested and eager and listening.
Each person seemed to find the glass that spoke to them. The glass alone, is appealing. As jewelry, it’s another form of beauty with new possibilities. Showing people how to wrap wire and secure it enough to make a key chain is fun. Seeing people hold up their creations and smile is amazing!
But I was exhausted by mid-afternoon. I was happy and satisfied, interested if there’s a business to be made from this passion or not. I can’t know yet and I don’t have to. I’m in busy start-up phase. I met a woman at the craft fair who had wished she had been a jeweler. She was kind but tired from the work life she does have. She had been discouraged from going into the “man’s world” of jewelry and regrets that guidance. She said, “Do something you love.” As long as I continue loving the sea glass, can include free trade beads and even use recycled sterling silver I will continue.
Today, walking the shore, finding tiny pieces of brown and white and a square thick piece of aqua is most satisfying. My daughter near by, searching her own patch of sand. The late summer sun falling but with a touch less warmth and intensity. The ocean, still singing her holy chant. I can’t stay too far from the water. In an ideal world, I’d make jewelry each day with the pieces of the day caught. As if the sea glass is fish and I catch only enough for that day’s meal. I’d like to have that sense of pacing, of finding the balance of time on the sand and near the water and then with the wire and the tools.
Catch of the Day: Staying connected to the original joy and peace that brought me to the water
