Santa Cruz or Bust!

Well, I'm getting ready to head out to lovely Santa Cruz for their annual Sea Glass & Ocean Art Festival being held this weekend. I'm told the weather will be perfect. I will try to take plenty of pix to post to the Sea Glass Journal.

I will also be heading up north to revisit Glass Beach in Fort Bragg and the whole Mendocino area. I may even take a side trip to wine country. Please see the article on my last trip to Fort Bragg Glass Beach.

I hope to gather plenty of material for some new articles.

Talk soon,

Gary

NASGA Sea Glass Festival

The first day of the sea glass festival in Hyannis, MA was a success. I don't have a tally of the gate yet but it sure appeared that a few thousand enthusiasts showed up. It will be very interesting to see what sea glass shards have been entered into the "Shard of the Year" contest.

A few pix of the first day have been posted to the Sea Glass Journal. Click Sea Glass Slide Show to view them.

Happy Hunting!

Sea Glass Chronicles Sequel!

In the first-ever book on the subject, Sea Glass Chronicles: Whispers from the Past, Carole Lambert introduced the reader to the world of sea glass through her personal collection. Now, in her "tell-all" sequel, Sea Glass Hunter's Handbook (Downeast, Nov 2010, $14.95), Lambert reveals the secrets behind finding and identifying the best samples of these unique collectables. From great tips on useful tools and techniques and a glossary of related terms, to a list of some of the best sea glass beaches in the world, this book is an essential part of any collector's or would-be collector's library.
For more info click Sea Glass Hunter's Handbook.

NASGA Sea Glass Festival Lectures

The national sea glass festival is right around the corner ( Oct 9th and 10th ). This year sea glass collectors from around the world will converge on Cape Cod at the Resort & Conference Center at Hyannis. Along with over 50 sea glass artisans and enthusiasts there will be lectures presented by notables on the history of glass and sea glass collecting. Here is a list of the lectures to take place during this grand event:

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9

Cape Cod Bay & Nantucket Sound: America’s Frontier Ecosystems - 11:00 AM

Theresa Barbo, Author/Historian

Since the 16th century through contemporary times, Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound have been a part of America’s history pages. From European exploration to waves of immigration, to armed conflicts with other nations, and to the dynamic natural resources and wildlife within these precious areas, these historic waterways have seen it all! Hear history come alive in this unique, illustrated presented by one of Cape Cod’s leading non-fiction authors and noted lecturers.

A Century of Sandwich Glass - 1:00 PM

Dorothy Schofield, Curator of Collections

Sandwich Glass Museum Sandwich glass is often noted for its beautiful pressed wares that were made in a myriad of colors during the 19th Century. However, during its 63 years of operation the Boston & Sandwich Glass Company (1825-1888) produced a wide range of products including blown, mold-blown, pressed, and decorated wares. A look at the history and products of this now famous glass house, as well as other Sandwich glass companies, will be discussed.

Why Does Sea Glass Matter? - 2:00 PM

Celia Pearson, Photographer

Why does sea glass matter? You might be asking that question or already have answers. Celebrate the beauty and essence of these man- and nature-made forms from the unique perspective of Pure Sea Glass photographer Celia Pearson. For the past seven years this nationally recognized artist has trained her eye on sea glass. Ignite or reaffirm your own wonder through her latest images, stories and insights about these gifts from the sea.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10

Shards Reveal Much of New England’s Past - 11:00 AM

Carole Lambert, Author

Seemingly worthless broken bits of china, ceramics, and pottery found on New England beaches offer valuable clues to the region’s past and present. Beachcombers are able to see with an archaeologist’s eye how the duplicitous nature of sea shards, both sturdy and fragile, connect history, science, art, and nature.

From Shipwrecks to Bottlenecks: Locating and Identifying Shipwrecked Treasure and Other Unique Regional Finds - 1:00 PM

Ellie Holmes, B.A. Geography, G.W. University

Ellie Mercier, an avid Geographer and sea glass collector offers a synopsis of locating and identifying the origins of found M.A.T., Johns Hopkins University objects, including items derived from shipwrecks. In addition, Ellie will share tips for locating treasures specific to particular coastal areas.

Going Sea Glass Wild on The Greek Isles - 2:00 PM

Christeena H. Minopetros, Sea Glass Jewels

Join Christeena on a sea glass journey for the ultimate piece of sea glass through the Greek Islands. Presentation will include photos of the islands and special collecting places.

LaMotte on Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart wants to talk about sea glass collecting so who does she call up? None other than Richard LaMotte a.k.a. "The Godfather of Sea Glass" and author of "Pure Sea Glass."
I suggest you all gather up as much sea glass you can as collecting it is quickly becoming all the rage.
A guest appearance on Oprah can't be too far away Mr. LaMotte.
;-D
See the segment by clicking Sea-Glass Treasures with Richard Lamotte.

2010 International Beachcombing Conference

Nov. 12-14, 2010

U. of DE's Virden Retreat Center

700 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE

The International Beachcombing Conference offers consummate and novice beachcombers alike the opportunity to come together to meet, greet and learn more about the beachcombing experience and the science which makes beachcombing possible. 

Speakers include nationally-known environmentalists, oceanographers, anthropologists, geologists and photographers, many who are also award-winning authors. 

Attendees will gain a broader view of the factors affecting our beaches worldwide and how they effect the beachcombing experience. Have you ever wondered where the artifacts you find came from? With the guidance of experts, learn how to trace the origins of your collected beach treasures. 

Learn about paleontology, anthropology, ethics and climate change during conference lectures and panel discussions. You will have the chance to attend workshops, field practica and artifact identification sessions designed for all levels of experience. Throughout the weekend, attendees can relax and browse local artisans' beach crafts and jewelry. 

For more information click Beachcombing Conference.

Sea Glass from the Roosevelt Inlet Shipwreck

A shipwreck along the Delaware coast reveals its pottery and sea glass secrets after more than 200 years under water.
To see the entire article click Shipwreck Sea Glass.

Step away from the sea glass... if you can!

An interesting phenomenon in the sea glass collecting world is the takeover by the National Park Service of coastal locations that were once town dumps. These areas provide some of the best sea glass collecting as they offer copious amounts in a myriad of colors and shapes to hunters who are willing to trek the many miles for the enjoyment of collecting.

Once the National Park Service takes over an area the collector is no longer allowed to keep the sea glass they find. Visitors are told that the sea glass, once trash, is now "a natural resource" and belongs to everybody. This just oozes with irony, doesn't it?

I understand from the Park's point of view the desire to retain the sea glass as it increases tourism to an area ( i.e. $$$ ). If people are allowed to keep the naturally tumbled gems eventually there will be nothing left and the tourists will disappear.

It will be interesting to see if collectors will still be willing to spend the time and money to travel to these locations if they can't keep the sea glass they find. It may be that the Naional Park Service's position is in a Catch 22.

Two National Park locations that I have visited are Glass Beach in Fort Bragg, Ca and Spectacle Island, Boston, MA. Click on the hyperlinks to see more about these areas.

The Old, Rare and Elusive Black Sea Glass Shard

This month's featured sea glass is a well worn shard of very rare black glass. The shard is a thick and black-looking olive-green piece of sea glass indicating it is probably from an old bottle commonly used to transport liquors.

For more information on this shard and black glass in general click Black Sea Glass.

Where Does All That Amethyst Sea Glass Come From?

Have you ever found a piece of sea glass that had a light purple or amethyst tint to it? Have you ever wondered where this glass came from? Well, believe it or not, it started out as clear glass.

Find out more about sun-colored amethyst sea glass by clicking Sun-Colored Sea Glass.

Spectacle Island Sea Glass

Just a short ferry ride from Long Wharf in Boston, MA, Spectacle Island features a marina, visitors center with exhibits, sandy beaches, and walking trails. It also offers sea glass collectors an incredible experience as one of the beaches is loaded with sea glass and pottery from years long past.

But alas... you can't take the sea glass with you. While you can pick it up and photograph it you must leave the shards there for future sea glass hunters to enjoy.

For more on the day trip to this incredible little island click Spectacle Island Sea Glass.

Dr. Beachcomb says "Get out and play!"

Her name is Dr. Deacon Ritterbush, author of A Beachcomber's Odyssey Vol. I: Treasures from a Collected Past, and her mission is to introduce people to the fascinating, healthful, healing and affordable world of beachcombing.

See an interview with her by clicking Interview with Dr. Beachcomb.

Happy 4th of July!

Multi-colored red, white & blue sea glass that, apropriately enough, comes from England! They're from that region everyone has been hearing about. You know... where the Victorian glass factory once operated?! It's a sea glass destination for sure!

– The Sea Glass Journal

Sea Glass Photo of the Week

The Sea Glass Photo of the Week is where you, the collector, can share a favorite sea glass photo on the front page of The Sea Glass Journal. At the beginning of each week we will be posting a new sea glass / beach glass photo.
For more details click www.seaglassjournal.com

Depression-Era Sea Glass

This sea glass specimen might possibly be a Depression-era drawer pull made of vaseline glass.
See how I came to that conclusion by clicking Vaseline Sea Glass.

Happy Sea Glass de Mayo!

I just want to wish everyone a happy Cinco de Mayo.
¡Saludo!

Need Something for Mother's Day?

I've finally gotten around to putting some sea glass jewelry online. I'll be adding more as time permits. My store is on Etsy.com. They are pretty straight forward. To buy you have to set up an account which is a matter of providing a username, password, and a valid email address.

Please take a look at my Sea Glass Jewelry.

Thanks,

Gary de Blois

Spanish artist creates whimsical sea horses from sea glass

Inspiration from the curved, surf-worn shape of a large piece of teal sea glass inspired Svetlana Rasuleva's new passion for sea glass.

See more at Sea Glass Seahorses.

Happy 40th!

It's been forty years since the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970. Earth Day 2010 is a pivotal opportunity for individuals, corporations and governments to join together and create a global green economy. Join the more than one billion people in 190 countries that are taking action for Earth Day.

www.earthday.org

A Sea Glass Adventure

Here's a video of a recent sea glass collecting adventure. Just wanted to see if posting a video works better than individual pix .

Catch of the Day

Sea Glass Envy

I thought I had a large sea glass boulder. Penny Parker bagged this monster from the NE of England and sent me a couple of pix along with a few measurements.

Girth: 8.5" (215.9 mm)

Length: 4.5" (114.3 mm)

Weight: 17.9 ounces (507.47 grams)... Yikes!!!

On the left is a detail showing the thickly frosted surface of this sea glass behemoth.

You can see my "not-so-big" article by clicking February's Sea Glass Shard of the Month.

Really Unique Sea Glass Shards

End-of-day multi-colored sea glass shards found around the Santa Cruz area of the California coast.

See more in the article West Coast Sea Glass Multies.

By Nature's Design

On a recent sea glass hunt I came across this wonderful site. Left from the receding eddies is this "C Swirl" of seaweed, reminiscent of a motif oft used in my sea glass jewelry.

Humungous Sea Glass Boulder Washes Up in Fort Bragg

A large, white sea glass boulder is found washed up on the coast of Fort Bragg, CA after record setting storm. "I couldn't believe my eyes!" exclaimed longtime sea glass hunter Gary de Blois.
"You're gonna need a bigger baggie!" remarked Martin Brody, another collector in the area.