Don't Miss A Post!

I am going to take a brief break from this blog, but will return soon.  Meanwhile, if you like, you might consider subscribing to it so you don't miss my next post.  It is secure and you can be pretty anonymous, if you like when you subscribe (free of course).  Thanks for your interest!  Just checked and numbers of views are over 6400.  People from around the world are interested in seaglass. 

Newspaper Article about Seaglass Rarity

 I just came across this article about the rarity of seaglass.  I think it is interesting and may show you that seaglass is very rare and special.  The article is in the Philadelphia, PA Inquirer newspaper today.



http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20120721_Sea_glass_becoming_harder_to_find.html?viewAll=y&c=y

Balloon Ride in Provence

I came across some photos I took in France, when we took a balloon ride over the lavender fields, so I thought I'd share them here. Just realized, though, that I posted about balloon ride a while ago.  Here are some more pictures.  It was a beautiful ride over the French countryside and definitely something you should think about doing if you ever have a chance.  Oh, there were two balloons, so that's how I could photograph one!

If You Are Thinking of Buying Fall 2012

This is an update now that it is Fall!  If you want to select an item from my website, please email me first to make sure the item is still avai  Ilable. You can receive 5% off if you are a Facebook fan or a follower of this blog. Repeat customers, you receive 10% off.  And, if you are a new customer and buy two or more items, you receive 10% off the second item.  Payment is through a secure website - PayPal - and you can select the credit card of your choice if you don't use a PayPal account.  Shipping fees vary - some are free! --depending upon the cost of the item.

 Of course, you can always contact the five shops that carry Lucky Sea Glass Jewelry.  Their info is on my website, and they will be happy to help you!  Just give them a call.

IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, JUST EMAIL ME AT
CONTACT@LUCKYSEAGLASS.COM

Thanks.

 

Photographing Jewelry = Part III

The more I photograph my seaglass jewelry, the more I learn.  First of all, it is important not to have too many distracting elements in the picture, but still make it interesting.  I often add shells or seaglass to my pictures, but sometimes just have the seaglass jewelry itself.  Backgrounds of white or dark blue seem to work, but I often experiment to see which background color works best with the particular piece.  Also,
I have found that the lighting is key -- the light box helps, but if you can get diffuse light near a window (not direct sunlight), it should work out fine.  My last resort is to use the computer to adjust the exposure, crop the picture, or even to erase shadows.  Hope this helps.

Sapphires and Seaglass Earrings

I just created these gold filled hoops with real blue sapphires from India and white seaglass I found in Hawaii.  They sort of remind me of dreamcatchers that native Americans create, that are supposed to catch your dreams so they don't get lost!

These sold while I was in China. 

Lots to See in Chicago

View of Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier

Cup of Coffee by Roy Lichtenstein  1962

This one is called Cold Shoulder

View of Wrigley Building and Chicago River from our hotel

It was great to visit Chicago this past weekend.  We toured the Lichtenstein exhibit at the Art Institute, took an Architectural tour around the city, went to Lake Michigan with our granddaughter (found one small piece of seaglass there -- mostly pebbles there!) and of course, enjoyed the skyline.  Here are some pictures I took.

Are you Lucky?

Have you ever thought about luck, good luck or bad?  Who is lucky?  I am a big believer in positive thinking -- that if you think in an optimistic way, then good things are more likely to happen.  Is that good luck?  I always wear a piece of Lucky
Sea Glass Jewelry, by the way, and often feel that when people admire it, I am so lucky! Thank you all for visiting, especially new visitors from Australia, India, and Russia.  I have some great photos from Russia that I will share soon. 

About Ceramics or Tiles Found on the Beach

Sometimes you may find a smooth piece of tile or ceramic while you search for seaglass.  I have found beautiful and colorful pieces in Hawaii and South America.  Wherever there may be tiled floors or pottery, there may be "sea" ceramics, that have been smoothed by the sea.  This silver plated bangle bracelet has a lovely pink and white tile I found on the beach, and I added seaglass pieces from Hawaii, and a freshwater pearl. 

Good luck in your search!  You can find this bracelet on my website, for sale. 

Check out the Deal at the Facebook Shop. Ends July 18th!

This large white and cobalt blue seaglass (Hawaii) necklace  is currently on sale at the Facebook shop, if you visit Lucky Sea Glass on facebook,  you can receive 10% off any item in the shop until July 18.  Remember, email me before purchasing to be sure the item is still available.  Free shipping for some items. This is really one of my all time favorites!   Here's the link in case you don't have it

https://www.facebook.com/LuckySeaGlass

A Map of Your Own

Do you love to travel?  You know I do.  One thing that is a lot of fun is a wall map that I bought that comes with pushpins of various colors.  We put a pin of a different color in each country or state we have visited, wish to visit, or consider our favorites.  It's hanging in our entry way, and is a great record for us and fun for friends to see.  The one I bought came framed with a personalized plaque ......with our names.  We still have a lot of places to see! Just thought I'd share this idea.

Bonfire Seaglass

Have you ever heard of bonfire seaglass?  Of course, people have fires on the beach when they camp or just hang out.  Well, when the fire is smoldering, sometimes bottles or trash are thrown in, and melt somewhat.  Or, if there is a fire in a house near a river or a beach, glass can melt down.  Bonfire glass has a texture, a mystery, that appeals to some collectors.  Personally, I think it is very unique and rare.  I found a large piece when I was in Bermuda, and just finished a pendant with it, using shiny copper wire.  The seaglass actually folded over on itself, so I could thread the copper wire through the fold! Hope you like it.  I have to say, this one is mine to keep!

Lucky Sea Glass Shop on Facebook

Just want to let you know that I've opened a shop on my Lucky Sea Glass page on Facebook.  I have a few items listed, but will be adding more.  Facebook fans of Lucky Sea Glass will receive an additional 5% off.  I hope this will make it easier for you to purchase.  I appreciate all your support.  The link is Lucky Sea Glass on Facebook

Lucky Sea Glass Return Policy

Buying jewelry online is probably an act of faith.  Believe me, I understand that if you can't see it, feel it, try it on, it is so hard to be sure.  That is why I offer a return policy where you can return the piece within two weeks of receiving it, and receive a full credit (less shipping charges, if any) that you can use toward another design within three months.  I have never had a return by the way.  Also, I will be happy to answer your questions before you purchase, just to be sure it is what you want.  You can visit my website and email me.  If I don't get back to you right away, please be patient as I may be out collecting seaglass! 

Photographing Jewelry Suggestions For You

Yesterday, I was just sharing what I was doing, but since so many are interested in this topic, I thought I'd write a little more about my trials and errors with photographing Lucky Sea Glass designs.  Of course, it helps to have a camera you are comfortable with and that has some settings you can adjust.  For example, I have found that the automatic setting on my camera is useless when I photograph jewelry.  I usually adjust the shutter speed, through trial and error, until I get the right one in the particular light.
Often, I do have to make some adjustments on my computer when the photograph seems too dark (usually the case).  Also, if I can add more contrast and deepen the background (when it is black), the jewelry stands out more.

Of course, I use a closeup setting.  Also, I like to play around with angles.  One more thing, I have found that photographing indoors, when the sun is out, near a window with diffuse light, the colors come out truest. 

I have a "light box" that is basically a screened area so that filtered light can come through it. I have two lights and a small tripod.  This whole kit came together, and was a gift from my husband, who saw my struggles.  But you can probably find a similar kit at a camera store or one of the online retailers from NY.   This  light box is good to use on dreary, dark days particularly. 

I hope this gives you some more info, but remember, I am still learning!!

Over 5000 views

Today this blog hit a milestone -- over 5000 views.  You are from around the world, mostly in the U.S., but many from Europe, Asia, Russia, South America.  I welcome you all, and hope you are enjoying these posts.  I would love to hear from you, especially if you have ideas or questions for this blog.  Thanks for visiting!

Photographing Jewelry

I've been busy photographing some of my designs.  It has been helpful to practice with my Nikon Coolpix P500, to figure out what settings work best.  Surprisingly, perhaps, the pictures of jewelry are best when I photograph in daylight and vary the shutter speed, rather than using flash.  Not very elaborate, but it works sometimes.  Of course, I often edit with the computer so that the colors are truer.

More About Fake vs. Real Seaglass Part III

I found this article on the web, and thought the pictures are really helpful.  Also, the article may add to what I've already posted.  Just browsing various sites I have seen that there are many vendors selling jewelry as seaglass which clearly is fake.  I hope this helps.  Please be assured, I only use genuine, beachcombed, natural seaglass in Lucky Sea Glass designs.

"EACH PIECE OF SEA GLASS HAS IT'S OWN UNIQUE MARKINGS, SHAPES, SIZES AND COLOR AND NO ONE PIECE IS EXACTLY THE SAME. THE MARKINGS, KNOWN AS "C" CHECKING MARKS THAT CAN BE NOTED IN VARIOUS SIZES, SEEN CLEARLY IN PICTURE #1 & #2 SEEN BELOW.

 THEY LOOK LIKE LITTLE HALF/ QUARTER MOON SHAPED ETCHES THAT CAN ONLY BE MADE BY THE CURRENTS OF WATER, OVER THE MANY YEARS. THIS WOULD NOT BE SEEN WITH MAN MADE TUMBLED GLASS. YOU WOULD NOTICE AN EVEN PITTING AFFECT ON THE GLASS AND WOULD BE MUCH SMOOTHER EVEN TEXTURE WITH LESS VARIATIONS IN THE ETCHING ON THE SURFACE SEEN IN PICTURE #3.

IMITATION SEA GLASS CAN HAVE AN EVEN, ALMOST PERFECT APPEARANCE OR CAN HAVE A VERY CHUNKY APPEARANCE NORMALLY NOT ROUNDED. SOME MANMADE GLASS WILL ALSO APPEAR TO BE CHUNKY THICK WITH AN IRREGULAR SHAPE AND ROUGH APPEARING JUST ON THE EDGES LIKE IN THE PICTURE #4
IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER THAT THE PATINA/ ETCHING OF SEA GLASS WILL ALWAYS VARY WITH SOME OF THE FOLLOWING FACTORS: THE AGE OF THE GLASS, TYPE OF GLASS, HOW LONG THE GLASS WAS IN THE ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS OF THAT LOCATION, THE WATERS IS ORIGINATED FROM, WATER PH, CURRENTS, SAND AND ROCK CONSISTENCY.

GLASS FOUND IN THE U.K. DIFFERS FROM GL I HAVE SEEN EVEN A DISTINCT DIFFERENCE IN THE SEA GLASS FROM THE PECONIC BAY AND THE LONG ISLAND SOUND, WHICH THERE IS ONLY 3 MILES OF LAND SEPARATING THE 2 BODIES OF WATER AT SOME POINTS ON THE ISLAND."
#1 AUTHENTIC SEA GLASS
#2 AUTHENTIC SEA GLASS
#3 FAKE SEA GLASS

Independence Day Sea Glass

I'm so happy to have our electricity and water back after almost five days, that I sat down and created this pendant.  It is seaglass I found in Greece and wrapped with sterling silver, glass ruby crystals, and a freshwater pearl on a silver plated choker. Hope you like it, it made me feel good to create.  Independent!  Remember, the first democracy was Greece in ancient times.

Creating Sea Glass Earrings

I am still dealing with the storm damage, but nothing relaxes me like my sea glass designs, blog, website, etc. so here goes..

I just realized that I haven't really put many pictures of my sea glass earrings on this blog for all to see.  When I create the earrings, the most important first step is to find matching sea glass pieces from the same location!  Once that is done, I can proceed to decide upon silver or gold, gemstone or pearls, dangly or not, etc.  After the first one is made, I carefully measure so that the pair matches well.  The ones I have pictured here are on my website.


green seaglass with sterling silver

white seaglass with corals and tourmaline beads

amber seaglass with black onyx, gold filled wire

My personal favorites are my dangly "emeralds".  I wear them a lot!     

Storm damage

 It has been quite a weekend.  Friday night winds, rain, lightning and thunder swept through our area.  I woke up to the sounds of chain saws, went outside and saw huge trees blocking the road near our house.  Of course, they were our pine trees that we had planted years ago.  No electricity still, and they are predicting it may take a week until we get power,  And, no water, either, as we are on a well!  Needless to say, I may be writing only intermittently this week.  Wish me luck!