Sea Glass in Fort Bragg, Cal and New Pictures

Visited the coves near Glass Beach today
Hiked down a steep cliff outside the park to a beach of sea glass.  I will post pictures later.  I found amber, aqua, white and green.  Hoping a surprise is in my bag somewhere.
There is the glass beach that is in the state park but we didn't go there as you are not supposed to collect there and it is somewhat depleted.  Instead, we scrambled down a cliff path to Site 2.

Later, we stopped at the Seaglass Museum.  I was upset to see they are selling bags of tumbled glass that they want people to toss onto the beach to seed for sea glass.  That is not  real sea glass!

 

Another Good Luck Story for Lucky Sea Glass

Here's one more lucky story -- there are more on my website.   When we were in Wisconsin last month,  I searched along the west coast of Lake Michigan for sea glass and hardly found any.  That was not lucky.   But, when we were in Door County, which is called the Cape Cod of Wisconsin -- there are lots of little towns with shops, lighthouses, beaches, etc, , we stopped in Kim's Boutique.   This is a very nice shop that has a variety of clothing, jewelry, and other items for women and men.  And, I did find something to purchase there. 

While I was buying, the owner complimented me on my sea glass necklace.  Then she said she would be interested in purchasing some Lucky Sea Glass Jewelry from me for her shop!  Well, when we got home to Virginia, and after a few emails, phone calls, etc., the deal was done.  Now, Lucky Sea Glass is in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin at Kim's Boutique.  Isn't that a lucky story???

 

Drill or Wire Wrap? Which do you prefer?

It is interesting to me that people have definite opinions about the styles of sea glass jewelry they prefer.   I find that when I drill sea glass, I come up with different design options than when I wire wrap.  It seems like the wire wrapped sea glass is more of a gem to me, but the drilled sea glass shows off the sea glass.  What do you think?  Here are some examples:

Drilled Green Bermuda

Cornflower blue wire wrapped

My latest Mermaid Necklace -- sea glass and lapis lazuli

I worked so hard on this necklace, even though our air conditioning was not working.  It turned out just as I imagined --- and I hope you like it.,  The sea glass is from Lake Michigan.  I added lapis lazuli sticks and a crystal.  ( I began by drilling the pieces with my new drill bits --- awesome!). 

Drilled, then wire wrapped to the necklace!

Ft. Bragg Glass Beach is Next!

I am really excited that we are returning to Ft. Bragg Glass Beach after about five years.  Had a great time there the last time, staying in Mendocino.  Wineries, beautiful scenery, nice B and B, good restaurants, and of course, sea glass.   In fact, one of my earliest designs is featured in a book about Glass Beach!  I have learned that now the beach is in a State park and they try to restrict collecting, but there is another site outside of the park that has sea glass that you can take.  Hopefully, I will find it!!

 

More on Drilling Sea Glass

I thought I'd add a little more information to my posts on drilling.  You can access my previous posts on this subject on this blog--just look for the label  Drilling Sea Glass.    I recently ordered diamond bits from Amazon and they are really a great deal.  I got sixty for about thirty dollars, free shipping.  And, so far so good.  So much better than the dull ones I had!

Of course, I still love the look of wire wrapping, but drilling does offer some other design possibilities.  I have learned a technique that might work for you --  When you start drilling, go at the piece at a 45 degree angle until you feel an indentation has been made  (just a few seconds).  Then hold the drill upright and keep drilling.  You have to drill for only a few seconds at a time, so you can clean out the glass and give the drill a rest.  It generates a lot of heat.

Remember, Patience will be rewarded.  Practice on pieces you really don't care about if they break.  I've lost a few myself.

It is so hot -- wish I was at the beach!

We have been sweltering in 90 to 100 degree heat this week in the East.  And to top it off,  my airconditioning is not working upstairs!  It would be so nice to be at a beach somewhere, searching for sea glass.  Oh well, I guess I'll just wear some sea glass jewelry and think cool thoughts.  The airconditioner guy is coming on Friday!!   It's too hot to create jewelry right now.

Bermuda beach -- turquoise water and pink sand   AAH

Making Time for Creating Jewelry

It's amazing how much time it takes to set up an online store and keep it current, in addition to a website, a blog, and shops and galleries!  I sometimes don't have time to create jewelry, which of course is one of my greatest pleasures.  I do keep learning about management every day, and am getting better with website issues.  Not bad for a former school psychologist. huh?

I would love to hear from you if you have any ideas about my Storenvy site in particular.  Now, to get back to creating some jewelry....

http://luckyseaglass.storenvy.com