Sunday, November 21, 2010

HOOT!





You may not remember - but last year for Halloween I created a boutique outfit for my youngest daughter that got rave reviews! I have become hooked on appliques and decoupaging clothing to create that one-of-a-kid look. Here is an outfit I just finished.  The applique was drawn by me and hand sewn (after the iron on procedure) to the shirt.  I also made a matching bow complete with coordinating button.  The tights and skirt were purchased to complete the outfit!  The fabric was purchased at a local Salem shop.  The whole outfit cost less than $30 - that included a handmade shirt and bow, tights and skirt! Keep an eye out for her holiday outfit next month!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

New Work...



Here are two more additions that will be sent to Eco 1st ArtEco 1st Art carries upscale earth friendly items.  I haven't heard yet if there has been an official launch - however, there are now many items for sale - check them out!

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Hunting Season

 

I know it is still summer - but the air has that coolness that fall is close approaching.  Fall and winter are the best sea glass hunting times.  Storms and rough seas churn up the oceans floor exposing more gems on the shore.  You can find me on the beach in the dead of winter on a stormy day... snow falling... winds blowing and I am out there collecting when everyone is sipping hot coca fireside. 

I was out collecting recently at a couple of my favorite spots at an early low tide and realized that the pickings were just not that good.... and at places that usually yielded great loot all year.  It got me wondering if someone had been there before me... had more people discovered my "secret" spots? Or is it the fact the shore and sea are changing and just not producing the bounty it used to.  Or could it be a fluke day? I hope it is the latter and that the bounty returns this fall - I really don't want to go out of business!


 

Friday, September 17, 2010

Grand Opening Reception @ Bancroft & Friends Tonight!



Grand Opening Reception Tonight!
Bancroft & Friends
11 Pleasant Street
Marblehead, MA
6-9PM



My friend Brooke Pickering has opened her own store ~ Bancroft & Friends ~ in Marblehead, MA and tonight she is having a Grand Opening reception tonight! Come see her beautiful ceramic housewares and her famous "Marblehead Collection" among others. 


She also has pillows, encaustics, bags, children's dresses, cards, sea glass jewelry and hand cast silver jewelry from some of the following artists: Bumble Belly Designs, All The Numbers and Sea Glass Things who, along with Bancroft Studios, are also members of a local artists group Boston Handmade.  There are other wonderful local artists work for sale as well!  Stop on by!


Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Summers End...




I never look forward to this time of year... the end of August. There is a chill in the morning air... the nights are a bit cooler and days are getting shorter.

The malls soon become bustling with back-to-school shoppers and you find yourself purchasing closed toed shoes instead of another pair of trusty flip flops. There is mad dash to capture last beach days and nightly walks to the local ice cream stand slowly come to an end.

The end of Summer... it seems to sneak up on me. I guess I am just never prepared for its departure.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

CSN Stores $70 Gift Certificate Winner....

Thank you to everyone who entered the contest.... drum roll please... the lucky winner is Ella!  Ella you will be sent your gift certificate via email soon... thanks so much and check back for more contests!

Monday, June 21, 2010

Shed Some Light On Your Beach Decor and Enter A Free Giveaway For A $70 Gift Certificate!


If you follow my blog - you 1) know I love the ocean and 2) know that I love the shabby clean beach chic look. I love exploring indoor and outdoor space and I am constantly looking for coastal lighting to "brighten" up rooms - while continuing the flow of design. Here are some fabulous lamps I have stumbled upon in my search. Notice that you can incorporate more modern table and floor lamps with cleaner lines while still maintaining the integrity of your coastal decor.  Also remember that modern can include more abstract elements as well... and don't be afraid to incorporate color!




If you don't prefer the modern lines of the lamps above there are still the classic designs that are timeless... yet still fresh... 



Let's not forget the quintessential light house lamp that will fit right in upon any seaside side table...



Floor lamps are always a great option if you have created a cozy reading nook or if you have chair but no side table.  This particular paper lantern floor lamp reminds me of hanging those Japanese paper lantern lights around your deck or in trees for ambiance on summer nights.  I love the look of a tripod lamp behind a couch that is kiddie-cornered - this opens up space while maximizing it at the same time.


When putting a room together it is also important to indulge on the accents. I like the look of a sisal rug to define a space (not to mention they are affordable) - and what the best part is that the sand falls right though to the bottom - just roll it back and sweep it up! A glass blown vase or two is functional and beautiful when set on a coffee table - and look best when filled with plump hydrangeas or your favorite flower.  You might want to even fill vintage bottles with shells and sea glass that you have collected on your beach combing journeys! Don't forget to give those bare walls some love with nautical art or photography!



No matter what your coastal decor flavor there is sure to be something out there to tickle your taste buds!  You can find many items to decorate your home with our Giveaway!  You have a chance to win a $70 Gift Certificate from CSN in our free Giveaway!  How fun is that?!?!  Of course there are many other items you can choose from as well - just visit their site for over 200 places to shop!

The giveaway starts today, June 21, 2010 and ends on Monday, June 28, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. You can enter mulitple times depending on how many places you promote the giveaway, our blog or our website.


Here's how you can enter to win:

Visit our store and let us know which sea glass is your favorite! Your name will be entered into the drawing for our giveaway.  Simply comment on this post with your favorite creation and your email address!


You can also get one additional entry for each of the following:


1. Promote the $70 Gift Certificate giveaway on your website or blog with a link to "Sea Glass Things Blog"
(a href="http://www.seaglassthings.blogspot.com/"). Then add a comment on this post with a link to your promotion.


2. Follow Sea Glass Things's Blog by clicking on the follow button, top left next to blogger search box, or by Google Friend Connect in the left sidebar.


3. Become a Fan of Sea Glass Things on Facebook by clicking on the "Like" button at the top.

4. Follow Sea Glass Things on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (you can tweet daily) - Copy and paste:
Enter to win a $70 Gift Certificate http://bit.ly/96A6ln @seaglassthings #giveaway


5. Promote the giveaway on Stumble Upon or Digg with a link to this post. Then add a comment on this post with your Stumble or Digg name and / or URL.



You will be entered for each promotion of our contest. So... if you visit our site and post a comment here for your favorite sea glass creation, plus promote it on Twitter and Facebook you will be entered three times.

This contest is open to United States and Canadian residents only. We will be announcing the winner on June 29, 2010 on our blog, Facebook and Twitter. Good luck all!

Friday, June 18, 2010

Round Two


Here are a few more pics taken and edited by my good friend Nikki - these are a little different as we were trying to protect the integrity of the freshwater pearls.

This has been a huge challenge when editing these photographs - reducing glare on the pearls and keeping their true form and texture.

Monday, May 24, 2010

A New Endeavor...



I am very excited to have been working on products for a new endeavor I will be taking part in.  It is the launch of a new "Green" artist website - Eco 1st Art - located in California.  They are planning a launch date of this June. 

The purpose of the site it to act as art brokers for artists that produce high end Eco friendly products - thus putting them in touch with customers looking for environmentally conscious products.  Lately I have been working on pictures of my products for submission and with the help of my good friend Jackie and lots of advice from other friends - this is what has been submitted thus far!

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Sightseeing in Salem... Fort Pickering at Winter Island


A couple of weeks ago on a warm Sunday we spent the day at Winter Island in Salem, MA.  We packed a picnic lunch and soaked in the sun and scenery.  Winter Island is rich in history and a great place to wander around with your camera.  There is so much to see and Waikiki Beach is great for collecting sea glass.
 


Fort Pickering (prior to 1799 was Fort William dating back to 1634) was a working fort during the War of 1812, as well as the Spanish-American and Civil Wars.  You can still see the bunkers and parts of the fort while walking the grounds.  Prior to being active during the wars - Winter Island was at the heart of Salem's fishing industry. The "Essex" ship was also built by mater shipbuilder, Enos Briggs, and then the launch in 1799 was viewed by 12,000 townsfolk. Winter Island Light has been a guide for many ships into Salem Harbor. You can read more about the history of Winter Island at Salem Web.


There are many places to picnic and camp if you choose!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Girls Night Out at Rouge with Michele McPhee


My good friend Jackie Burkhart, myself, my mother and Jackie's friend Diane (doesn't she look like Diane Keaton - last photo far right?) were at Rouge this past Friday night to meet Michele McPhee from 96.9 Wtkk Boston Talks... and it was no surprise that Michele ROCKED and was as down to earth as I thought she would be.  


Rouge is located on Derby Street in Salem - we are huge supporters of their store. They have everything you need for your body, face and hair and are VERY knowledgeable about their products... not to mention all the staff are just wonderful!



Saturday, March 27, 2010

Organizing My Glass and Pottery...




I took about three hours yesterday to go through my glass and organize it.  I took out pieces that were good for jewelry... including pottery and dumped the rest into a large tote that is now about 3/4 full.  I need to start designing some new pieces and this will make it much easier to find what I am looking for! 

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sunday Morning Walk...

Although it was a good 23 degrees cooler today with a crisp wind off the ocean... I totally enjoyed an early morning walk. The fact that it was low tide made it even better. I found a jade marble, an orange flash piece, a penny from 1993 - not a find but interesting how it has decayed... and many beautiful pieces of glass and pottery!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

After the Storm...

The pictures above are of the three day storm from last weekend - and a few pieces of the glass collected from one of my secret spots after. The wind was so strong when I was taking the storm pics - that it was rocking my van. It was a very high tide and the waves at times were coming over the railing.  Storms rally up the ocean floor bringing new goodies to the shore!