Even today I walk the beaches and find people coming up to me and asking if this is a good beach to find seaglass? Or they question how to look for it, or where. It seems to be a high security question for most and I have never felt it deserved a high security answer. Now, if you have happened onto this by accident and you’re not the novice beachcomber then you might find this just a wee bit overwhelming. However, if on the other hand you are retired, a beginner or have time to spare, you might just want to stick around and enjoy the hunt.
When searching for seaglass you want to be sure of a couple of things before you start to explore.
The first thing being a beach, but that was a given, I just liked this picture and needed to share. Be patient, all good seaglunkers I’ve met have been extremely patient and retired of course.
Some of the necessities you might think to take along would be, a bottle of water, a bag to collect your seaglass, toilet paper just in case, and a good pair of walking shoes. Oh and a camera comes in handy because you will always find that amazing piece and someone will ask when you found it, then they will answer with “no way, you didn’t at least you will have the picture to prove it.
Preferably dry shoes not wet like these
It is best you find out from me that you can find many things on the beach and sometimes they could be upsetting for some people so be warned. Once I found a baby seal, and another time a large seal had been hit by a boat and ended up on the beach, I’ve seen sea trout that kept being rolled ashore with the surf, a pelican that looked like it hit into the edge of the cliff and then there are the plastic items that should be considered waste. Just remember the ocean is a playground to many and things happen.
Not everyone is in search of seaglass and I should mention that before I go any further, because I have found people picking up shells, rocks and petrified wood, along with teeth, and bones.
When to search is a key factor but that is entirely up to the individual and up to the amount of balance they have in their life as well. If I had ideal conditions, I would definitely be out after a storm, on a full moon, and during a very low tide.
But others seem to prefer to walk the high tide line.
You can always identify the high tide line as it has the most amount of seaweed on it and will be at the same distance along the shore line.
I more often then not prefer to be in a rocky area and the size of the stone is relative to the size of seaglass you will find as well.
I did mention I liked a low tide line, where the waves and I argue about how long I can keep my shoes dry.
With each wave takes the top layer of beach sand away back into the ocean and uncovers some of the most beautiful finds. Like this one, I’m going to try and be patient without stooping down and snatching it up before the waves come back and either totally uncover the seaglass or yet cover it up or take it away to sea entirely, lets see what happens.
Here is just the top of the piece uncovered.
Then here it is again with the next wave
I’m lucky it is still sitting waiting for me, what about the next wave? Will it uncover more?
I don’t want to take the chance and I stoop, and reach out and snatch it up before the wave comes in.
Ok, I have told you enough about seaglassing that you should be able to go off on a hunt and find some. Lets take this next picture for example, try your luck at searching for the seaglass. How many pieces can you find?
Click on the picture for full screen and search for the seaglass
Now that you have found your first number of pieces of seaglass what will you do with them? I know a number of people who just put them in a jar and watch the each day to remind them of the beach. While others bag the seaglass and sell it. Then others are just out for the hunt and they hand you seaglass when passing you on the beach. Then there are the repurpose people like myself who like to take the seaglass and make jewellery from it. Sure we have little hope and great intentions of making a sale someday but we spend far too much time on the beach and far too little time advertising our product to make a sale. I enjoy just setting it up in a gallery and listening to hear all the comments from others. If you are ever in Prince Edward Island be sure to stop by the Gallery/ Studio at 545 Malpeque Rd, Route 2, and take a peek. If I’m not busy I’ll even show you how to wire wrap a piece or two.
Happy hunting,
Cindy
