Budding Sea Glass Girl and What’s Real?

My daughter DELIGHTED in sea glass hunting tonight. She found a “magical” rock which she knew guaranteed we’d find sea glass. She, at six, even placed glass for me to find and I did and then she smiled so big. At six, she’s creating “magic” for me but unlike some adults, she still feels it’s magical. She found an enormous piece of teal, a large chunky white with letters and then a bottle neck. She found browns and frosted whites and greens and “baby pieces” and said, “I find like twenty and you found like ten.”

I saw the hunt through her eyes and realize she had been feeling a “less than” sea glass hunter. She said, “I tell myself you can still be proud of yourself even if you don’t find as many pieces as your mother. You might try that.” She said how much MORE fun it was to find MORE pieces than I had found. I didn’t realize she felt defeated when I found more. This time, after finding and bagging several pieces she said, “Can I find a particular color for you?” She said, “you can have the next green if you want.” She loved being magnanimous and feeling she had so much she had extra to share. I finally “got it” and just let her hunt and backed off the accumulating I usually do so she could enjoy being the expert.

I didn’t pick up as much sea glass but I stood on a magical rock, I did hip hop moves on another rock while she laughed and then we went rock hopping on slimy wet rocks and I tried to follow and keep up with her. We held hands and walked and said, “I Love You” and enjoyed the sun after a rainy day. She couldn’t wait to show her father her “finds” and what finds she had. Near the end of our walk she found an orange brown yellow piece with ridges which was almost square in shape and so smooth. She placed the rock on the sand to SHOW me how she found it, how she was just walking along and it appeared.

This last year she has become so bored with sea glass hunting and in my passion for sea glass I had not noticed how she felt overshadowed or as though she couldn’t keep up or as though she wasn’t good enough at it because she wasn’t finding as much. Tonight, I didn’t look quite so hard because her joy at discovery, her love of sand seeking, her delight at stones and shells and crabs and sea glass, was my catch of the day. Also, for her to taste her own love of the hunt, to say, “feel these edges, look at this” and to know for herself how fun it is to find your own pieces, so many you can give some away, is a gift. It may not be a passion she keeps or it may be one that comes and goes, but it was wonderful to watch her delight in hunting and to put down my need for a new piece or another piece and follow her lead.

Side Note: My daughter is pretty private but I will say that she had her first thoughts about what a “real” mother is and who for her that is when she has a   gave birth to her and a mother who raises her. We talked about what is and isn’t real, who is and isn’t real, and I am grateful we can talk freely about deep stuff so that it doesn’t have an air or weight of heaviness but is a conversation. We needed our time tonight to walk and read at bed and have extra hugs. I’m grateful to be her mother and to be real.

Sea Glass Marble & Today’s Catch

 

 I had a dream I found a marble at my beach and when I went hunting I did! Now, I so rarely find marbles that this cool and unexpected. I also dreamnt I beat my highest score on the facebook game Pathwords and that hasn’t happened yet. But, this gift of a marble is special. It has a funky green design on a light green marble. What a day at the beach.

I also found a tiny maroon heart-shaped rock. There were loads of tiny brown, white and green pieces. Two of the greens were so dark and well worn they are perfect for holding in the hand. Two of the whites were pieces of bottle necks, also well worn. And I find a few tiny hints of purple colored glass as well. The texture and patterns were interesting. There were two tinypottery pieces. One with blue and the other with green.

Catch of the day: The gift of time to sift through sand and thoughts and realize dreams.

Sea glass ideas for sea glass fanatics

O.k., the following link not only has a list of great ideas (with awesome photos) for what to do with sea glass it also has a link for serious sea glass lovers to join a sea glass lovers community. Go here for details:

http://www.bytheseajewelry.com/theglass/seaglassideas.php

Today, I taught a class at a local Y and am again blown away by how one group of five or six people can come up with so many unique ideas. Many people brought their own sea glass or beads and others ideas of what they wanted to do.  We worked on “free style” pendants and earrings. Some people added shell bead embellisments, some made tiny hanging sets and others used the wire itself instead of a spacer bead between rounder beads. A few students brought ambitious projects home so they could keep working.

People respond to sea glass even when it is out on the table. Some like the brightly colored artificial pieces which I clearly differentiate from the “real” stuff.  While I prefer the sea glass I’ve beach combed when I’m making jewelry (and use it for all I sell and wear) I have come to respect the way others respond to the flat textures and bright colors available in the artificial sea glass. I’ve lost my judgement about fake sea glass.  For learning to wire wrap people should work with something that pleases them and that matches their clothes or skin tone. I know I’m passionate about hunting sea glass, finding gems and treasures and for me, though I love the transclucent tones of aqua and dark purple in the sea glass it’s nothing compared to a piece I find at the beach even if it is an awkward shape and only has the slightest hint of color. But, that’s my taste and preference.

What does irk me and we did talk about this in class today is when people sell sea glass jewelry and call it that when it is clearly manufactured glass. For those looking for a local gift or something coastal who are not familiar with the difference between real and fake sea glass they are being ripped off. They are buying something believing it is from the sea. Often, they are paying big money and not getting what they think they are paying for. I don’t care if people make and sell jewelry with anything they choose but it bothers me when it isn’t advertised with accuracy.  I used to think stores were pulling one over on customers but store owners are often assuming a product that says sea glass is made of sea glass. It isn’t always the case.

If two pieces match perfectly (in size, color and texture), and there are dozens in one store, it is unlikely that it is real. There are sea glass jewelers who do make earrings that look almost identical. But, the beauty of sea glass is that pieces aren’t identical. It’s not supposed to be exactly the same as any other piece - like people – each is a one- of- a-kind gem. 

Also, don’t be too discouraged when beach hunting in the rain. You may notice different colors on overcast days or be surprised what you find when fewer people are out on the beach. Or, you can wait for the sun to return. Happy Hunting

Sea Glass Arts in South Shore Living Magazine

I was at the eye doctor with my daughter yesterday and picked up a copy of South Shore Living magazine. It was THRILLING to see an article about my passion for sea glass and the reasons I make sea glass jewelry. It’s a great local magazine and my daughter was screaming, “My mom is in here,” in the waiting room. I’m so excited and honored. For those who don’t get the magazine, I love sea glass and all it symbolizes.

Each piece is a treasure with a history which can be guessed but known. To me, each broken piece of glass transforms in the sea and with sunlight and loses sharp edges and gains a sturdy weathered appearance. Who hasn’t been tosses around in waves, land locked when wanting to swim, thrashed in waves and journeyed? Each frosted piece is a little ocean Olympian survivor landing on the sand as though a timeless finish line. I know I’m calmed by the ocean air, rhythmic tides and sea life. The jewelry is a way to create wearable touchstones to celebrate the resilience in the human spirit, the constancy of nature and the mystery history we’re each living.

I’ll be at the Hingham Farmers market tomorrow from 10 to 2pm. My pendants will all be 25% off and I have LOADS of books ($6.99 to $7.99) which are my best-selling item. They are adorable, affordable and perfect for summer reads and gifts. I’m also selling some prints for $1.00 so stop by my booth if you come.

Sea Glass Class and What I Learn

One of the things I like about working with people working with sea glass is the wide range of styles I get to see. People, from 13 to 75 are all in a classroom together and using the exact same materials. However, some people use many strands of different color craft wire, adding beads here and there, while someone else tightly wire wraps a chunky piece of sea glass and adorns it with one large and prominent bead. Both pieces are wonderful and artistic and eye catching. Some work slow and are precise. Others are relaxed with the materials while some want to know exactly what each tool will do.

One woman who took my class before said she took it before because I help teach not to be afraid. It made my day. Really, why are we so afraid to try new things? Not everyone is but many of us are. I am terrified of anything musical, can’t read music notes and can’t remember the words to a song unless the music is playing. I say, “I’m not musical” as though it is a law for life instead of something I’ve just not tried recently. I never think, “If I find the right teacher,” but what might I be missing? It would be nice to know how to read music even if I decide it’s not something I want to give too much time to. It’s time to get more brave and move out of my own comfort zone.

What areas are you comfortable with? Which ones might you explore more?

Catch of the day: One student put two pieces of glass together, a green on a purple or maybe a purple on a green and it made a stunning piece. I’ve never glued two pieces of sea glass together. She did and it was so pretty.

Sea Glass Jewelry: Drilling

I sell my work at the Hingham Farmers Market. SO MANY people on the South Shore have their own sea glass collections. Many people keep their gems in jars or bowls or have even tossed them out not knowing what to do with them. Well, today someone asked me how to drill sea glass. I don’t drill sea glass myself though my cousin did buy me the tools if I get brave enough to try it some time. So far, I like wire wrapping and using non toxic cement to make some pieces which are all about the glass. However, here are a few videos and links I found for those of you who ARE interested in sea glass drilling.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RaHRyuBIwI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0n_OyC77vc

Hope this helps those of you interested in drilled sea glass.

Sea Glass Girl

Sea Glass in the Raw

After all this time loving sea glass I can’t tell you why it speaks to me so. I collect these pieces and some are raw and sharp and end up being tossed back in. Others are so treasured they go in bowls and are displayed on my mantle and within easy reach. I marvel at the way the white crystal forms on the glass, like cookies topped with confectionery sugar, love the contrast of old glass next to new glass vases holding flowers. It is amazing to me to see the texture of the back of a Hos-ta leaf near the fluffy rhododendron, the distinct iris and the softened edges of once sharp glass all in one shot. Even the mirror is a cleaner and functional glass which, if left in the ocean long enough, would change shape and size and texture.

Here are some photos of recent finds and treasures mixed with a few photos of old and beloved pieces.  I wish I was more gifted with the camera and the uploading. But, since I am not here are some mediocre images where I attempt to capture the beauty of natural gems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Catch of the Day: The actual glass as well as the moments to savor the treasures and sift and sort and send some back to the source… even ones which are stunning shades of purple but not yet sea glass.

Sea Glass Girl on Literary Mama

This writer, sea glass girl and seeker is happy to say my writing is on one of my favorite websites. Scroll down to the third piece, “Discarded” to read my work of memoir. It’s not sea glass related but it is another variety of my work.

http://www.literarymama.com/creativenonfiction

Hingham, MA Farmers Market – Sat. June 6th

The market goes to 3pm tomorrow. So, while getting your bread, granola, sweets, jam, salsa, etc. come to my table and buy some sea glass jewelry for:

a graduate going out of state – local sea glass for a leaving state student

birthday gift- eco-friendly jewelry is trendy and pretty

celebrate summer – wear a piece of the beach

Or, just come by and get a free and lovely bookmark of STUNNING sea glass. The North American Sea Glass Association sent me some bookmarks to promote their annual Sea Glass Conference (in Eerie, PA in Oct.) so I’ll have pretty bookmarks if you drop by the table. I’m always in the same corner spot near the water!

Sea Glass Girl

Sea Glass Hunting: Thirst

Thirst

Low on the sand, fervent buzzing from a shell where a fly was trapped. At first I thought it was hiding but then I cracked it open with another shell. It flew loose. Was I playing God and patronizing Mother Nature? Or was I led to hear this fly screaming on this day? Why can’t I release others trapped in their own shells that closed before anyone heard their scream when they were willing or able to fly toward freedom?

Rocks, soft and round and weathered are happy at the bottom of this ocean before the ocean floor sweeps them up again. How come some can find and leave their bottom and others make it home.

I see a single working glove in the middle of the sand which is no longer working or protective. It is solo and in tact but I can’t help but wonder about the hand once filling that form or the partner.

So much under my nose, inches by my feet, even before I leave my yard.  I hunch and feel the wind, the rain and touch the iris. There is the shy and round bloom of bright yellow and striking pokes or purple side by side. Grass, sharp and pointy or soft and toe tickling is here. How much is the condition of spring as opposed to open hearted seeing?

Hunting for 100 steps on the beach for sea glass, I decide to abandon the search. I can’t find anything and want ease and rich rewards.  Maybe it’s not a hunting day I decide and so what if the beach has been picked over already? I decide I will collect quiet, wind and sunbeams on my skin. Later, as I survey the sand, there is more in one small patch of sand than I can lift and I am overflowing with abundance. I grab the teeth, purple baby teeth, sharp green dinosaur canines and substantially worn whites.

Is it age that makes us wiser and more able to bear thirst? Is it the memory of it being quenched that makes any parchment easier than the first?  We know we won’t die of thirst after we have seen loved ones sipping crushed flavorless slush’s at the end of life. Our thirst is no less real but not life-threatening.  We know in way other versions of ourselves didn’t that the are levels of thirst and this longing for water is simply a wish, a desire.  We can sip the iris, wind and sky until we are satiated.  

Catch of the Day: Gratitude for the fervent fly and the baby purples on the shore