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!

 

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!

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!

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!

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 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!

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!

The Hunt

I am loving the nice 50+ degree weather and the warm sun! I spent last weekend grazing at my favorite spots... gathering up the many pieces of sea glass the winter has left behind.  I must have been a pirate in a past life as I am always on the "hunt" for treasures whenever I am walking the beach....Aaarrrgh!

Completely Coastal Offers a Coastal Decor Giveaway by Beach Grass Cottage

Visit Completely Coastal to enter a beach decor giveaway! Beach Grass Cottage is having a drawing for a $40 gift certificate to their store!  Visit the Completely Coastal site for rules of entry.  Hurry - because this ends February 17th! Good Luck!

Click the image below to and follow the directions for entering!

...Gobble...Gobble...Gobble....

Sea Glass Things is wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

*Photo by William Dalton on Flickr

Sea Glass Light Boxes...

I started making 3D light boxes last year and so far they have been a hit!  These take a long time to make - but are well worth it.  The subtle low watt lighting illuminates the light box... creating a soft glow - perfect for a night light!  Each light box is signed & dated... and is a great gift for friends and family!

                                                     $85

New Places... New Faces!

I am excited to announce that Sea Glass Things is now the sea glass artist for jewelry on the Outer Banks Trading Group web site!  Check out the Sea Glass Jewelry section and today is the last day to receive 15% off your order of $100 or more!

Journey to the Shore...

Oceans of blue capture bits of history
Relics that were once known
And some still remain to us a mystery
Shards of glass, pottery, porcelain and stone

Transcending through the waves of time
Far beyond where they began
Each journey different and so sublime
Reaching near and distant lands

Surf gently laps the sun soaked shores
Seafoam turns to frothy white
And brings about gifts and lore
Of mermaids and shipwrecks alike

Footprints in the sand are left behind
But slowly disappear
Searching for that one rare find
Glistening in the warmth… a souvenir

Soft greens remind of something sweet
While cobalt sends a warning
Red held wine for the elite
Lilac shades the sun is turning

A bounty the sea has left behind
For others to reclaim
Destined again to be refined
“Sea Glass” we call it by name.

Photo by Denmarkguy on Flickr

Author: Marla Kunselman of Sea Glass Things