Sea Glass Hearts

I just was reading about sea glass hearts on a web site written by a past president of the North American Sea Glass Association, Mary Beth Beuke.  She has observed that most well finished sea glass pieces become triangular in shape.  However, once in every 3,000 to 5,000 pieces, she has found a heart shaped piece.  This shape is truly special!

Please visit my website to see a beautiful heart shaped sea glass piece I found in Bermuda!

The Best Things in Life...

"The best things in life are the people we love, the places we've been, and the memories we've made along the way."

Lighthouse in Florida

On this Memorial Day, this quote (anonymous) seems right on. 

Reminder: Lucky Sea Glass Sale Ends Today May 27th

If you are interested in purchasing Lucky Sea Glass jewelry, now is the best time to buy, when everything is on sale at least 15% off!!  I am really cutting prices close to my cost.  After today, there will be no more discounts.  The prices of silver and gold have gone up so much.  Please browse the website, and if there is something that interests you, just send me an email. Good luck!  email:   contact@luckyseaglass.com   
You can purchase through a secure PayPal site from my website, after you have received confirmation from me that the item is still available.  Thank you!  

Lavender and Sunflowers in France

If you are planning a trip to France to see the lavender in bloom, be sure to go in July or early August, before the harvest starts.  It may be hot then, but it sure is worth seeing the fields in bloom.  We even took a balloon ride near Forqualquier,  and almost landed in a swimming pool! Of course, we had a very professional pilot, and he assured us he had planned it all.

Dachsunds and seaglass

 Just made these cute dachsunds.  One is a pendant on a gold filled chain, the other one is a little pin.  Both made with Bermuda seaglass I recently found. 

Pictures from the Galapagos Islands

I thought some of you might enjoy a few pictures from the Galapagos.  The animals are so calm and have no fear of humans, yet!  By the way, there is no sea glass there.

Blue footed Boobie

Giant tortoise

Fantastic Sale on Lucky Sea Glass Through May 27

I just put up a notice on my website for my Memorial Day sale on all website items  (not sold in shops).  If you buy one item, you will receive a 15% discount.  If you buy a second item of equal or lesser value, you will receive 25% off that item.  This offer is good until midnight, May 27.

Thanks to all of my loyal customers and you new ones, too.   Please email me first at contact@luckyseaglass to make sure the item is available and verify the price.  No other offers apply with this special Memorial Day Sale.    http://www.luckyseaglass.com

The Music Man

I saw The Music Man at Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.) the other night.  It is a great revival of an old show.  They did Oklahoma! last year, that was a success.  I think this production will do well, as the singers and dancers are so talented, even the young children.  Just thought I'd mention this, if anyone is going to be in D.C. soon.  The show just opened about a week ago.

My Jewelry Shopping Trip

Whew!  Just returned from the Big jewelry expo near here.  I can't believe how prices have risen -- for gold and sterling silver , particularly.  I'm trying to keep my prices at a reasonable level, and still use gold filled or sterling silver, but it is hard.  Gemstones are also expensive, especially rubies, which I love to add to my Woman of Valor designs!

One of the vendors was selling "sea glass" designs -- but she readily admitted to me that they were machine tumbled glass from Indonesia and then crafted in Mexico with silver colored metal.    She told me that genuine sea glass is so hard to find, so rare, etc.  Remember, all my designs are made with genuine, natural sea glass that I have found and I hand make all of the jewelry in one of a kind designs!  You know that saying -- "You get what you pay for" is really true.

I did buy some beautiful gold filled chain that I will be using in necklaces and bracelets.  Gold filled doesn't lose its golden finish, the way gold plated chain does.  Also, I bought a few choker type necklaces that some customers may prefer.  They won't tarnish and have a lovely, wavy design.  Perfect for sea glass pendants!

Sea Glass: What is it?

I just realized, I haven't really discussed the basic question -- What is sea glass?   Many of my customers and potential customers ask this question.  Some think that it actually is made by the sea, kind of how the earth produces diamonds, rubies, etc.  In fact, sea glass is derived from a man-made material, i.e. glass.  The glass can be from art glass, dinnerware, bottles, lights, etc.  Often the broken pieces have been discarded and wind up in a dump or in the ocean.  Some sea glass pieces are from the 1700's!  If you have ever seen ancient Roman glass, you know that glass has been created by mankind for centuries.

Once the glass is in the water, it is tumbled by the waves and its actual physical characteristics are altered.  Whereas once it was glassy, transparent, and sharp edged, it becomes gem quality sea glass after many years of tumbling in the sea. Then the glass is smooth edged, often opaque, and has a frosty appearance.  Beach glass collectors often toss back pieces which are not completely finished, for another collector to find one day.

It can be a challenge to figure out the origins of a sea glass piece.  Richard LaMotte, author of Pure Sea Glass, describes many bottles, insulators, etc. that can be considered.  It is a good reference work for those of you who want to become more knowledgeable.

If you review my other posts about Fake vs. Real Sea Glass, you also will learn that often  fake sea glass is sold by the piece or pound or in jewelry.  It is important to recognize that machine tumbling broken bottles is not sea glass.  SEA GLASS IS ACTUALLY A MAN-MADE MATERIAL THAT IS REFINED BY THE SEA.
Unlike other gems, which are nature's own and then refined by humans.
It is true ecological jewelry, since it is taking waste and creating something beautiful with it!  Even if you just collect the sea glass you find, you are not harming the environment in any way.

One more note -- Recently in Bermuda, I saw baskets of cobalt blue, white, and aqua "sea glass" being sold by the piece in gift shops.  They were sharp, and some clearly came from the same bottle source.  Also, they were sold by the size, not the color.  With cobalt blue being so rare, it is a red flag right there that the pieces were manufactured, made to resemble sea glass.  Please be careful if you choose to buy sea glass or sea glass jewelry.  Know what you are paying for.  I hope this helps.

Bermuda Honeymoon?

I just created this Lucky Sea Glass necklace with a rare heart shaped sea glass piece I found in Bermuda.  It is wrapped with gold filled wire and is on a gold plated link necklace.  I also added a freshwater pearl and blue Swarovski crystal. I hope you enjoy it!  email me at contact@luckyseaglass if you want more details, pricing, etc.

My Bermuda Seaglass Marble

I found this beautiful pale yellow marble at the beach of the Fairmont Southampton resort.  There really wasn't much seaglass there, but this marble was caught in a pile of debris, near the rocks.  Afterward, I learned all about marbles  (see my other posts).  Yellow is a rare color, too!  so, I was doubly lucky that day.

Lucky Sea Glass designs from Bermuda

Medium green seaglass found on Bermuda with crystal drop

I found these beautiful sea glass pieces in Bermuda and actually created them while I was there! I did refine them when I got home, too.  I found sea glass near  Alexandra Battery Park, at the extreme eastern end of the island, and at "glass beach" at the western end, near the Dockyards. If you are interested in buying any of these, please email me.  I will be putting them on my website shortly!


Large olive green Bermuda seaglass  with chalcedony drop and sterling silver



Large white seaglass from Bermuda, copper wire wrap, blue, white, and golden Swarovski crystals

Back from Bermuda

The water and sky are actually this color!

Beach at Southampton, Bermuda

Just a few pictures for now.  I will share more soon.  Also, I will tell you about my lucky seaglass finds!

Someone lost his marbles!.

I have done a little more research about seaglass marbles.  So, to be complete, I should mention two other theories about why we find marbles on the beach.  One is that ships used to use marbles as ballast, and then when there were shipwrecks, the marbles fell into the sea.  The other theory is that children used to play with marbles down by the seashore, and throw them into the sea.  Believe them if you wish.  I do think the seaglass marble bottles are the most probable explanation -- but who knows.   Obviously, someone has lost his (or her) marbles!

Ever hear of seaglass marble bottles?

Sea glass collectors always talk about finding marbles on the beach, but until recently, I was not sure what it meant.  Aren't marbles what children used to play with?  I just didn't get it.  Well, now I have learned about marble bottles, that were in use in the 19th century or maybe earlier.  There was a marble inside the bottle that would rise when the bottle was full of liquid, so it became a stopper.  There is an indentation in the bottle, where the marble would go, when you drank from it or poured from it.

Anyway, when the bottles were tossed into the ocean, often the marbles would escape from them somehow.  When you find a marble on a beach, it may very well come from a marble bottle! In Bermuda, marbles are sometimes found along the beaches there.   Good luck in your search.  I will post a picture of a marble I found soon.  Does anyone have any more info about seaglass marbles?  Please comment if you do!

Want to buy Lucky Sea Glass jewelry? More Info!

If you are interested in buying any of my designs or if you would like a custom designed piece, please email me first at contact@luckyseaglass.com  I will then be able to verify that the item is still available, and give you the best price.  You will receive a 5% discount if you like my facebook page.  Free shipping on orders of $100 or more (domestic U.S. only).  Other orders will be charged the post office rates.

I accept PayPal on the website, which is a secure site.  You can choose any credit card you like, but you click on the PayPal button first.  You don't need a PayPal account.

I guarantee all my designs are made with genuine, beachcombed sea glass.  Also, if you ever need repairs or replacements, please contact me and I will try to accommodate at a reasonable price.  If you want to return an item within two weeks of receipt, please send it back to me, and I will give you a credit which is good for a year.  I appreciate all my customers -- and have never had a return!  Please select carefully.

Again, please email me first before ordering.  Thank you so much for your interest!
My website is http://www.luckyseaglass.com


Jean

The Psychology of Collecting Seaglass

I've been meaning to write about the psychology of collecting!  Have any of you guessed that my first career (before sea glass jewelry designing) was as a psychologist?  I worked as a licensed psychologist for over 30 years  (some of that did overlap with sea glass collecting!).

Anyway, why do people collect, accumulate, hoard?  There are so many reasons, and each person may have his or her own.  But, I do think that sea glass collectors love the beauty of the glass, the mystery of where it came from, the challenge of finding it along the shoreline, and the hope that they will find that elusive red, orange, or turquoise colored gem!  People who buy sea glass jewelry enjoy the final product, and, based on my repeat customers, don't get tired of adding to their collection either.

Since sea glass is ecological -- in a way, we are cleaning the world's beaches! Also, collecting it is somewhat addictive, for all the reasons I noted above.  There is always one more beach, one more piece of sea glass to find.  I hope you all enjoy the hunt -- and if you would like a custom made piece of jewelry with your very own find, please contact me.

Greece is great

The Parthenon

Beautiful Santorini

Guards in Athens

I have to admit, I think the sea glass I found around the Greek Islands is my favorite.  It probably has been tumbled for a very long time, and maybe there are not too many collectors there.  Anyway, I found some beautiful, gem quality sea glass there.  Here are some pictures from my trip that I  thought I'd share since so many of this blog's visitors are from Greece.  It's such a beautiful country!

Sea Glass Souvenirs

I wrote this article a while ago, but thought you might like to read it. 

 

Sea Glass Souvenirs

by
( Lucky Sea Glass^TM )

Greek sea glass "heart" with sterling silver

During my travels throughout the world, I have found sea glass that I make into jewelry when I return home. These are the best souvenirs!

I have found sea glass in Antarctica, Greece, Hawaii, California, and even Russia (near St. Petersburg) and Romania (Baltic Sea).

It is great to have a special souvenir from a trip.

Sometimes, when I travel on a cruise, my fellow travelers ask me to make a pendant or earrings for them with the sea glass I have found during our trip.

Also, since I have an international sea glass collection, people can request items from many specific geographic areas even if they have not traveled with me.

Travel, sea glass and jewelry go together well.




Amber sea glass (Mykonos Island, Greece)
with sterling silver.


Lucky Sea Glass^TM

Who Doesn't Have A Jewish Mother?

Romania light turquoise sea glass with sterling silver Star of David

O.K., I know not everyone has a Jewish mother, but the point is that mothers of all denominations and races, etc. should be celebrated.  At the very least, they gave birth to you!  You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy these designs -- in fact I have sold more to people who are not Jewish! But, here are a few to think about as Mother's Day approaches.  The flower pin, of course, is not Judaica, but I just thought it might brighten someone's day. All of these are on my website. The pictures may be better there!


Teal sea glass from Mediterranean Sea with sterling silver candelabra and necklace

Copper flower pin with pale aqua sea glass from Lake Erie, sapphire, turquoise beads, and more!

Some pictures from Hawaii (Dec 2011)

Brave surfer!

huge plants on Hana highway

Flowers in the hotel

Sterling silver palm tree with Hawaii sea glass by Lucky Sea Glass

Just been trying to organize my pictures and memory cards!  My computer had to be completely restored a few weeks ago, and I lost a lot of my pictures on it  -- don't worry, (I saved them on an external drive), but now I am trying to get them back.  I found these Hawaii pictures, I must share!

Lucky Sea Glass Sales

Maybe you are not so interested in this little business I have created, but I must share some nice surprises.  Just received this email from a customer in California, who purchased two necklaces

Hi Jean, Just wanted to drop you a short note saying thank you for the help with my order and i love the pieces of jewelry! They look beautiful. I hope you have a wonderful afternoon and thanks again.

 

Beth

 

Also, when I returned home from Philadelphia (last week),  the SanJon Gallery in Florida told me that a pendant and earrings sold there. 

 

Gold plated link necklace with sea glass and ruby Swarovski crystals

If you look on my website, you can see other customer comments.  I love it when people love the jewelry!