Gifts From The Sea.....

In my little corner of the world, I get to breathe the crisp, salty air on a daily basis.  And for this I am thankful.  I live very close to a wonderful little beach.  The photo above is at the foot of my beach, weather worn boat houses.  My beach, as I call it, is a place I like to go, to walk in the early mornings, the late afternoons and in past years, all winter long.  A great place to think and mull over the issues of the day, a great place to clear your head.  Even though it is the same exact location, everyday is totally different.  The currents and tides, the trinkets that roll in on the frothy waves, the location of the sun or moon, it is ALL different, every time!  And I think that is part of it's charm and what keeps me coming back for more, time and time again. 

I am an avid collector of sea glass.  The beautifully frosted pieces of color that the sea smooths and spits back out over time.  I have jars and jars of these pieces of gems.  I even had my Hubby build a little shelf-like nook in my stairwell when we rebuilt the house.  I knew I would need a special spot to display these jars of color!  And each night and each morning I walk by them, I can feel my heart skip a beat and the joy that they give me.  Simple Pleasures!

I once read that at Fort Bragg in California, there is a cliff that was once used as a tossing off place.  A spot where people would come and toss their debris over.  Rocks and sea below, they thought it the perfect place to 'dump' their no longer used items.   Apparently they would also roll their old jalopies over the edge, letting them crash below, where the sea would come and drag them out.  Back then, the tail lights of cars were made of glass, actual red glass.  And now after many decades, this is the place to go and collect red sea glass.....be still my heart!  :)  Around my neck of the woods, blue is the color to find, that is MY treasure.  On a daily walk I can always snag the frosty whites, greens and browns, but if I find a precious blue piece of sea glass, the world will hear my cry!  Again, Simple Pleasures!  One Thanksgiving one year, I remember breaking a cobalt blue Pyrex dish.  Now most of you would simply and carefully toss it in the trash......but not me.  I took the smallest pieces of that, and ran to the beach and tossed them to the farthest point.  I figure in about 8 more years I should be able to re coop that Pyrex dish, but in a much prettier way!

                                                                       

 

 

This bottle of sea water is dated October 1961, the first time my Nana Sylvia saw the Atlantic Ocean

 

 

 

This is the 'prized' blue collection, in a jar found on the beach, well worn from the sea.

 

 

“The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach—waiting for a gift from the sea.”  Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Gift From The Sea.

 

One of the other fabulous treasures I collect is Wampum.  The broken pieces of quahog clam shells that are purple and white.   It is amazing what can be done with these pieces of shells.

 

A few years back I bought a rock tumbler for my birthday.  By placing the shells into this machine, adding the appropriate grit or polishing agent, and being patient......almost 30 days......you can turn that above into these perfectly polished pieces of Wampum.  Once polished you can drill them and add jewelry findings creating necklaces and earrings.

 

 

I have even just added some pretty ribbons to larger pieces to make Christmas ornaments.  I am sure the possibilities are endless.  They would be very good for wire wrapping and making pendants too. 

 

 

I love how each piece is different.  I love finding the ones with 'purple waves'.  Mother Nature is quite clever at surprising me time and again!

 

 

 

This fall I plan on mastering drilling pieces of sea glass......a dremel.....water.....mask.....safety glasses.....etc.... is highly recommended.  And if you ever drill any type of shell or glass you MUST wear safety glasses and a mask.  That fine dusty powder from drilling can get into your lungs and

cause many complications, so please be careful!!!!

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this beach flavored post.  Just a couple of more photos to send you on your way.  Thanks so much for stopping by.

 

 

 

Enjoy your long weekend......the Official Start of Summer!