Tuesday, 28 May 2013

... and Beach Combing for Sea Glass

During the Easter hols we went on a family trip to the Isle of Wight. It was lovely! This post is all about one tiny part of that holiday - my obsession with Sea Glass! I had read that Cowes beach was in the top 5 UK beaches for beach combing and as the weather wasn't good enough to actually sunbathe or get in the sea, we decided to make the most of it.

Mally wanted to find shells and dinosaur fossils (the Isle of Wight has been named the UK's Jurassic capital), and Dunc was only concerned with finding the most perfect stones for skimming in the sea. We were all very happy! This was my collection by the end of the week!!
Here are some of my tips for collecting sea glass (or any other seashore treasures)
  • Be prepared with "professional" tools - a stick for turning things over, a net for picking things up or rinsing the sand away, and some sort of container (e.g. a shopping bag!)
  • Keep looking down - although not to the point where you walk into something/someone, or end up drifting away from your family!
  • Concentrate on the tide line - stony parts of the beach are best for sea glass
  • It may take a little while so be sure to allow for 30mins – 1 hour before you expect to find anything. If you are with a toddler, I think it is perfectly acceptable to lie about some of the things they find. Mally thinks he found a shark's tooth (he didn't) and a hermit crab's old house (maybe?!)
  • Make sure your toddler understands the difference between sea glass, and last night's broken bottles!!
  • If you find any rubbish, pick it up and throw it away. 
And for some really good, practical tips on collecting sea glass, this site is excellent

Anyway, when I got them home I decided it was time to do some crafting... I had read somewhere that oil is a good way to get rid of the frosty effect. I used baby oil (so my hands could get a good moisturising at the same time!) and here is the AMAZING result:
I don't think I will do it on all of the pieces but it's good to know there's the option. Now to make something cool... And this is where I got stuck! I saw this post and decided to recreate it. Not very successfully but it's a start!
Someone had given me the idea that these bottle neck pieces could be turned into rings. I think I will give this a go!
Anyone got any ideas for the rest of my stash?!
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16 comments:

  1. Lisa4 June 2013 at 15:38

    I have found only like 3 or 4 pieces of sea glass and I look for it everytime I go to the beach. Its fun to find. I love the name of your blog and also Im a new follower. Come visit me sometime! www.lifeawayfromtheofficechair.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Simsim4 June 2013 at 21:41

      Thanks Lisa, I think it depends on the beach - this one is across the sea from a major Port and Uni town which I'm told helps! I love your art xx

      Delete
  2. Anonymous4 June 2013 at 23:57

    OH, I have always wanted to go collect sea glass ~ going to have to go collecting this summer.

    So glad you linked up with us at the BeBetsy BRAG ABOUT IT Link and Hop.

    Have a wonderful week~
    Sharon and Denise too!

    Follow us:
    Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Bloglovin ~ Pinterest

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Simsim6 June 2013 at 15:36

      Thanks Guys! You should definitely get out there and do it!! xx

      Delete
  3. Al@PolkaDotsandPaisley5 June 2013 at 00:19

    Beautiful. I live in the prairies and the thing I miss the most is the ocean. What about doing a wire-wrapped pendant?

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    Replies
    1. Simsim6 June 2013 at 15:37

      Great idea Al! I found this videa on Youtube and am going to try it xx:
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_Hnk3dJqs4

      Delete
  4. Emily5 June 2013 at 19:01

    Nice finds! I loved hunting for sea glass when I lived on the East coast :)

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    Replies
    1. Simsim6 June 2013 at 15:39

      Thanks Emily! It can be quite addictive can't it?! xx

      Delete
  5. Anonymous5 June 2013 at 20:58

    Such cool ideas, I never knew that about baby oil. I have used the glass on the ends of bobby pins for hair....they look so cute!

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    Replies
    1. Simsim6 June 2013 at 15:39

      Great idea! Going to try that one, thanks!! xx

      Delete
  6. Simsim7 June 2013 at 20:46

    Thanks Odessa! xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carrie8 June 2013 at 01:26

    Gorgeous! I just got back from the beach here in the US and only found two pieces of seaglass. You got some treasures for sure!

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    Replies
    1. Simsim10 June 2013 at 15:41

      Thanks Carrie! I can't wait to have a bit more time to go back to the beach! xx

      Delete
  8. Unknown8 June 2013 at 14:37

    I love the colors of sea glass. Thanks for the inspiration. Blessings, Patti@OldThingsNew

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    Replies
    1. Simsim10 June 2013 at 15:42

      Thanks Patti, so calming and beautiful aren't they? xx

      Delete
  9. Simsim12 June 2013 at 14:00

    Oops! Accidentally deleted this comment from Linda @ crafts a la mode:

    We live near the Long Island Sound and have found a great sea glass beach (which is lots of beer and wine bottles - my sister says). Anyway, yea, what to do with the 4 large jars of sea glass I have. I've seen some cool stuff. Hold on.. I'll look in Pinterest. Got a link for ya. I'm intending to do this at some point (when I'm not busy. ha). Linda

    http://www.creativeinchicago.com/2012/02/sea-glass-wall-art.html

    ReplyDelete

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