"Here Comes The Sun... Da... Da... Da.. Da..."

"Here comes the sun... and I say it's alright.."

Weather it be a sunrise or sunset - we - on the East Coast of Boston, Ma - simply have not seen it for a while. As I sit and write this, after what seems to be and eternity of rain and dark clouds, I can finally see a glimpse of "Big Yeller" trying to emerge from hibernation.

I have a slew of new products just begging to be photographed in natural sunlight. I am beginning to feel Vitamin D deficient. Not to mention, the artists of The Boardwalk thrive on those beachy sunny days summer brings.

So - call this my cyber sun dance to court "Big Yeller" to once again grace us with warmth on our shoulders... long dreamy days by the shore... safe journeys on the sea... and more Vitamin D than we can all handle!

"Little darling, it seems like years since it's been clear... Here comes the sun, here comes the sun..."

Featured Etsy Artist Product Review: zJayne

The first of Etsy and 1000 Markets Product Reviews has been submitted by Jodie Pastor of Lake Erie Beach Glass. She has sent a wonderful post about handmade artist - Jayne Pierce of zJayne.

Not only does Jodie love the work of zJayne - they have also become close friends! Check out Jodie's review below:

" I met Jayne on-line through eBay of all things. We were fellow artists who happen to join a group of artisans specifically creating ACEO (Art Cards Editions & Original) Art work! I was drawn to her art, purchased a few for my own collection, and began asking her questions. She has always been extremely helpful and has become a source of inspiration for me! Let me show you what I mean!

I love the originality that Jayne has put into these copper ACEO art cards! I had to have her do a custom for myself! Thus, THE SNOW KISS became...

...SNOW KISS!Her creativity doesn't stop there, either! My favorite form of art that Jayne created are her altered art dolls! So, another custom was created!

My grandmother Gottsch...

Jayne created three altered art dolls using this original picture. I gave these art dolls to my mother and her two sisters as a unique and special way to remember their mother, my grandmother.

zJayne's altered art dolls have become a signature representation of her art! She is featured in a book: The Vision Board:The Secret to an Extraordinary Lifeby Author Joyce Schwarz Published by Collins Design (Harper Collins) "

Jane is very conscious of the earth and preserving her resources. She supports the "green" effort and "upcycles" to create amazing products you can use in your daily life.

Check out zJayne's wonderful work at her shops and blog below:

zJayne on Etsy

zJayne on 1000 Markets

zJayne's Blog

Check out Jodie Pastor's (aka: Lake Erie Beach Glass) shops and blog below:

Lake Erie Beach Glass on Etsy

Lake Erie Beach Glass on 1000 Markets

Lake Erie Beach Glass on Art Fire

Lake Erie Beach Glass Blog

Thank you Jodie for being the first to send in a product review! Please be sure to also check out the amazing talent behind Lake Erie Beach Glass - Jodie Pastor.

*Personal Product Review and purchase pictures, picture of zJayne sent by Jodie Pastor

Summer Is On The Way...

I love this time of year... and I start looking forward to it again every late fall... the onset of summer.... the warm sun and sandy shores beckons my sea inspired wearables! All authentic, hand-picked sea glass has been used in delivering these original and one-of-a-kind designs.

Only the best materials have been used to bring you fashion forward coastal clothing and footwear! Stock up now at my Etsy or 1000 Markets store! If you don't see something in your size - I always accept custom orders!

Cultivating Sea Glass & Shipwreck Pottery: Collecting Pieces of History

As an avid sea glass & shipwreck pottery collector - my passion for these fragments leads me on numerous coastal journeys. I have traveled all up and down the East Coast - hunting as I go along. Collecting has also taken me beyond the US as well. I love to explore places that can't be accessed by foot. To do so, we often kayak to islands offshore to collect.



The best times to collect usually are in the fall and spring at low tide because of all the storms that churn up the oceans floor. Full moons also bring forth many unexpected jewels... and always high & low tide lines are full of goodies. Just as a cop never reveals an informant - a sea glass collector never shares their "secret" collecting spots. Rocky inlets or beaches around a harbor usually yield the best results. Depending upon the tide, how rough the surf and/or rocky the beach is will produce different glass. I find glass that is thicker, more porous and frosted on a beach that has a rough surf with a lot of rocks. With calmer surf and a sandier beach you can find more translucent glass - yet still frosted it is not as thick.






Since I started collecting sea glass - I always wondered where they have been, what they were and who might have once possessed the item from which the piece was a part of. I love recycling, or "upcycling", these found objects into wearable art and true heirloom pieces that can be passed on through generations.



Said to be the next "semi-precious" stone of this time, sea glass is becoming increasingly more difficult to find due to environmental awareness and rising popularity. Such awareness promotes beach clean-ups, proper trash disposal, decreased "ocean dumping" and lastly, people aren't burning their trash on the beaches like they did years ago. Technology is also a reason for the decrease in sea glass. As the years passed we became smarter, thus improving on technology. Such improvements in the shipping industry lead to safer travel on the seas. That meant a sizable decrease in shipwrecks that were carrying personal items as well as trade cargo. Over the years, those pieces of history have washed upon the shores, carrying with them memories of distant lands, and have been transformed into tiny jewels that are sought from beachcombers around the world.


These pictures were from out latest travels on the North Shore - June 14th. My older daughter, Taylor and my brother Eric set out to a nearby island to collect. The last picture on the right is what we collected on shore and on the island that day. Not even half of what is pictured will be "usable" for jewelry.

How To Make Sea Glass In a bottle Wedding Favors

Summer is on it's way and notoriously the busiest wedding season of all. Couples flock to the surf and sand in hopes of creating that magical setting the shore seems to offer.

When I was in the process of planning my own wedding, we were on a very strict budget as most are. It was then my fiance and myself chose to do the invitations, favors and many other "wedding" items ourselves. This was a huge money saver... but not a time savor. Hand creations take time - but there is more love put into something you make than something you buy. People notice and appreciate this. I was searching and searching for ides for favors... coming up with the same "done-to-death" idea after another. That is when I went rummaging around my storage room... and since we were having an "Ocean" themed wedding... this was perfect. I had collected so much sea glass over the years (because of my jewelry biz) that I decided it would be great to use the glass in favors. I purchased glass bottles of different shapes and sizes and filled them with the shards I had collected. I had to return to the shores many times to collect smaller pieces as well... I had many bottles to fill - about 80 - so that meant many hours of beach combing. I enlisted my family in the hunt... and before I knew it, I had more than enough glass. My guests loved them and they were something they could keep - put on a window, counter, piece of furniture - whatever they chose it was the perfect seaside decoration! Listed below are the materials and simple instructions on creating "Sea Glass in a Bottle" favors for your special day!

Materials:
1. Glass bottles with cork stoppers: Can be purchased at a craft store for less than $1.00 per bottle.
2. Sea Glass: Beach comb for the glass if you are near the shore or you can purchase "faux" glass from craft stores, the Internet or Ebay, however, they should be small enough to fit in the opening of the bottles.
3. Glue: Any craft glue will do.
Raffia: You can choose the plain tan or there are different color variations as well to choose from.
4. Avery business cards or thick card stock and cutter: Purchase these at your local office supply store in ivory or white. If you choose not to hand write them you will need a computer with a printer and visit the Avery web site to get the specifications of your business cards to design them or you can use Microsoft word and create a template. Also - as seen in the picture - I used a heavy card stock, and a scrapbook paper cutter to make the tags.
5. Single Hole Punch: There are many designs to choose from

To begin, print your tags out using which ever format you have decided upon. If you choose to make your tags from (as shown in my picture example) you will need to cut your card stock down to the desired lengths - stamp them each with a decorative stamp of your choice and write them out as you wish. Take your hole punch and punch one hole in each of the tags in the upper left or right hand corner. You should also pre-cut your raffia into desired lengths - long enough to tie a bow around the bottle neck. Next, you want to start filling the glass bottles with the sea glass. You might need to use a small funnel to make it easier if possible. Once all the bottles have been filled, place a ring of glue around the cork stoppers and place them back into the bottles. Now take your raffia and affix a tag to each bottle, finishing with a bow. You can even use recycled baskets or galvanized buckets to hold your favors in - also adding the the rustic seaside charm.

You have just created your very own beautiful "Sea Glass in a Bottle" favors that will be timeless keepsakes for all of your wedding guests!

Sea Glass Tank Tops Are Here!

I have just completed my first and original sea glass tank top now available for sale on Etsy! There are more in production in different colors, sizes, styles and various shades of glass. These are a perfect addition to any wardrobe - dress it up or down, wear it alone or under a jacket or linen shirt - you will be sure to impress!

Product care instructions: Hand wash, lay flat to dry and warm iron if needed.

I recently had someone reivew my blog and comment that they couldn't understand why am I promoting a tank top and what relevance does it have to sea glass.

Let me clarify - these are the first ever sea glass tank tops - meaning they are adorned with sea glass (the tank top themselves... on the strap or where ever else I dream up) I have collected - they are like jewelry, wearable art.

Mother's Day is Approaching - Check Out My Sea Glass ID/MOM Bracelet Now For Sale!

I had sold out of these this past Christmas - so I decided to make another for this Mother's Day that is just around the corner... what a perfect gift!

The sea glass used ranges from colors of greens, seafoam, aqua and white - beautiful frosty pieces. The sterling beads, sterling stardust beads and alphabet beads with the sea glass have been strung on 49 strand wire. It comes with an adjustable link that can fit wrist sizes from 7 inches to 9 inches and ends are finished as well. There is a white swavorski drop that finishes the sterling chain end with a heavy duty oval lobster clasp on the other end! The bracelet is adjustable to fit wrists 7-9 inches.

Get it now at Sea Glass Things: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11061373