beach treasures, Sea Glass8 Comments

Artisan Sea Glass: Davenport

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There are many genres of sea glass, whose differences are based on the source from which they came or their sizes, shapes and/or textures. (Refer to other blog posts for more information on this.) Artisan sea glass – the origins of which stem from decorative glass works (paperweights, chandeliers, lamp shades, vases) – showcase such an incredible array of designs, colors and shapes that they are an all-time favorite among sea glass collectors. Perhaps the most famous artisan sea glass found in North America is from Davenport Beach in California. People began hearing about this sea glass in the early … Continue reading Artisan Sea Glass: Davenport

Sea Glass, Specialty Beach Treasures2 Comments

Building a Sea Glass Collection

drbeachcomb

So, you’ve fallen in love with sea glass and want to begin a collection. Or you are a long-time collector and want to expand your collection into sea glass genres not available on local beaches. Well, there are a number of ways to do this. Travel. Trade. Gift. Purchase. As a matter of preference, I’d choose travel anytime over the other options because you gather up remarkable experiences along with pocket treasures. But sometimes travel isn’t possible. Trading or gifting sea glass are the next best options to me because it means you’ve taken the time to connect and build … Continue reading Building a Sea Glass Collection

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BEACHCOMB EXPEDITIONS

drbeachcomb

The Travelling Beachcomber The 2018 Beachcombing Conference in North Carolina is coming up, and as usual, I am busy fielding ‘what to bring’ questions from participants who will be flying in from across the globe. Since I move around a lot, both for work and for ‘work-play’ (aka: beachcomb expeditions), I’ve got packing down to a science. So I thought I’d share some tips with you. The Big 3 rules of ‘The Traveling Beachcomber” are: BE PREPARED TRAVEL LIGHT STAY IN SHAPE (so you are able to beachcomb on any type of shoreline in any type of weather, but I’ll … Continue reading BEACHCOMB EXPEDITIONS

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Beachcomb Expedition: London Mudlarking

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One of the best things about the beachcomb world is going on expeditions with beachcomb buddies. Last fall, I went on one of the best expeditions ever, combing UK beaches with Nicola from Scotland, who I met at IBC ’17 in Kamuela, HI, and Evan from NC/the Bahamas, who I have known since IBC ’11 and ’12 in Lewes, DE. (Lasting friendships are one of the biggest takeaways from the annual Int’l Beachcombing Conferences (IBC). So in the spirit of beachcomber sharing, let me suggest a great budget beachcomb vacation for you: Mudlarking in London on the Thames River foreshore. … Continue reading Beachcomb Expedition: London Mudlarking

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Hag Stones

drbeachcomb

A ‘Hag Stone’ also known as a Holey or Adder Stone, is simply a stone with a hole in it. The holes in Hag Stones are naturally occurring either as a result from the boring of a bivalve mollusk called a ‘piddock,’ whose shells look like angel wings or from coarse sand and/or smaller stones repeatedly grinding into a stone’s surface. Any stone that has a hole through it can be a Hag Stone. But why the name, “Hag Stone?” Thank Old Europe for that, for in their folk magic lore, Hag or Adder Stones were viewed as protective amulets, charms … Continue reading Hag Stones

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Shell Seeker or Trophy Hunter? The difference is in the death…

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Last month, I made some phone calls seeking someone to give a tutorial on ‘Shells of Hawai’i’ for this year’s Beachcombing Conference in May on the Big island. If need be, I can do it myself, but I am already giving a lecture and besides, it’s fun to have specialists in their field come to share their insights, perspectives and knowledge. The more ‘experts’ there are for everyone to meet … Continue reading Shell Seeker or Trophy Hunter? The difference is in the death…