Seaglassing & Wire Wrapping

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