Old Glass Kissed By The Sea
Orange Sea Glass wrapped in 14k GF - Sand N Stones
Long ago before we became “Green” conscious, we use to throw large portions of trash into bodies of water. Few ever gave a second thought to what happened to the trash once it got there. It would roll around in the sea for many years, some would break down and disappear, and others would wash back up on our shores.
Beachcombers use to walk the beaches and pick up glass seeing it as liter from long ago, others collected it, intrigued by its colors and shapes. It was not until Richard LaMotte wrote “Pure Sea Glass” in 2004, which told us of the value, where the glass could have come from, about the colors and the rarity of those colors. In 2009 he came out with a supplement to his book called “Pure Sea Glass Identification Cards”.
Genuine sea glass (also known as beach glass, mermaid’s tears, and many other names) is formed when any piece of glass (mostly bottles, tableware, windows, insulators, marbles, bonfire glass, ship wrecks, etc.) made their way into large bodies of water. The waves breaking them down, turning glass into shards, usually in triangular shape. The currents would move the glass over sandy surfaces smoothing the edges. Over several decades, the acidity of the water would give it a frosting turning glass into sea glass.
Many people are wondering why it is getting harder to find sea glass; there are different theories about this. More things are made of plastic today instead of glass. Some say it’s because most beaches have a carry in carry out policy. Can you remember when there were trash cans on the beaches? We are doing more recycling so we are not polluting as much as we once did. The process of beach restoration is pumping the sand from way out covering up the glass, there are also more beaches that are manicured, so they collect the shells, stones and sea glass, and use it for other purposes such as driveways. Most people say it is because more people are collecting it.
Beachcombers have found that they enjoy picking up sea glass, and displaying them in containers in their homes similar to those who enjoy gathering shells, stones and sea pottery. Authors have written about sea glass, Artisans have found ways to incorporate sea glass in their jewelry, photographs and paintings. Others have found ways to use the glass into everyday items such as sun catchers and candles. Some enjoy trying to identify its original origins.
“When I find a piece of sea glass it is like finding a missing piece of the puzzle.”
A few people have tried, unsuccessfully, to copy “Mother Nature’s” work by tumbling or etching the glass, called Ersatz sea glass. Ersatz sea glass (fake, faux or Earth glass) has a certain appeal to some and is less expensive to buy, but to a true collector it cannot match the beauty or value that natural sea glass has. It is one of the few man-made things that get more desirable after it has been discarded and weathered by the elements.
Most beaches have sea glass some are better than others. You can do some research and find out if there were any shipwrecks near by, or what the beach or body of water was used for? Once you have found a beach that you want to collect glass from, it is best to look for glass during a full or new moon in the Fall and early Spring at low tide. But the most important thing about “sea glassing” is don’t tell others where you find your treasures.
You can bring your Sea Glass that you have found into Sand N Stones and Michele will be happy to custom wire wrap it for you in either 14k gf, Anti-Tarnish Sterling Silver (Argentium), or a combination of both. Michele usually makes pendants, pin, or earrings out of the Sea Glass.
Resources:
North American Sea Glass Association (NASGA)
Richard LaMotte, Pure Sea Glass,
Sand N Stones, Delaware & Nature Shoppe, “Your One Stop Sea Glass Shop!”
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/richard-lamotte-sea-glass-treasures
Your local Antique Bottle Club
Sea Glass Artist & Collectors Network
Sea Glass Lovers S.G.L. Network
Sea Glass Festivals and Events:
March
Sea Glass, Seafood and See Birds in Queen Anne Co.
The Seaglass swap will be Saturday, March 10, 2012 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Saturday, March 24, 2012 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center and the Queen Anne’s County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, 600 Discovery Lane, Grasonville, MD 21638, will be holding a full month of events featuring Sea Glass. They are currently looking for vendors. For More Information: Heather C. Taylor 410.604.2100
May
Chesapeake Upcycled Art Festival – St Michaels Art League- May 12, 2012
June
The Lewes, Delaware, Historical Society puts on the Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival each year at the Lewes Historical Complex. This event is always held the last weekend in June. June 23 and 24th, 2012. The Festival attracts Sea Glass artisans as well a Coastal Arts artists including decoy carvers and other waterfowl artisans. There will be advance gate passes available for sale at Sand N Stones at 112 Front Street in Lewes and the Ryves Holt House Museum Shop at Second & Mulberry Streets beginning Memorial Day 2012. Passes are $5 and are good for both days of the show.
July
MERMAID TEARS SEA GLASS FESTIVAL – PEI, Canada July 21-22, 2012
September
North American Sea Glass Association (NASGA) puts a Festival each year, this is the largest Sea Glass Festival in the United States at this time. This show travels each year to a different location. There will be Artisan Exhibits, Shard Identification, Lectures and Presentations, and of course the $1,000 Shard of the Year Contest. The 2012 North American Sea Glass Festival! Sat. and Sun. Sept. 15 – 16th in Virginia Beach, VA Convention Center. More details will be on their website.
October
International Beachcombing Conference, Sea Glass & Beach Arts Bazaar, this year the Conference will be held in Lewes, DE. October 4-7, 2012. This will be the 4th Annual Beachcombing Conference and Arts Bazaar. More info will be available on their web-site as it develops. For more information please contact Dr. Beachcomber, Jay Taylor 302-645-4110 or Sharon Douglas 410-320-0662
Sea Glass Day on the Bay in October, Queen Anne’s County, Maryland
SEA BEAN SYMPOSIUM, Cocoa Beach, FLA – Oct. 11-12, 2012
November
Eastern Shore Sea Glass Festival in St. Micheals, Maryland.