If you've ever walked along a beach and spotted a little piece of smooth, frosted glass amongst the stones, you may have found sea glass.

To some people, it might just look like an old piece of glass.

To me, it's treasure.

I collect genuine sea glass from beaches around Pembrokeshire and use some of my finds to create pieces for my Coastal Collection by J.

But what exactly is sea glass, where does it come from and why do some of us get ridiculously excited when we spot a beautiful piece?

Let me explain!

What Is Sea Glass?

Sea glass is glass that has spent a long time being naturally weathered by the sea.

It may originally have come from bottles, jars, tableware or many other everyday glass objects.

Once in the sea, waves move the glass amongst sand, stones and other material.

Over time, this gradually wears away the sharp edges and changes the surface of the glass.

Instead of being shiny and sharp like freshly broken glass, genuine sea glass often develops smooth edges and a beautiful frosted appearance.

It's nature doing the polishing.

And it certainly doesn't happen overnight.

How Long Does Sea Glass Take to Form?

There isn't one exact answer because it depends on the conditions the glass has experienced.

The type of beach, movement of the sea, rocks, sand and length of time the glass has been in the water can all affect how it develops.

That's also why pieces of sea glass can look so different from one another.

Some are beautifully rounded and heavily frosted.

Others still show clues to their previous life, such as part of a pattern, lettering or an unusual curve.

Those are particularly interesting finds because they make you wonder what the piece might once have been.

What Colours of Sea Glass Can You Find? 💚🤍🤎

Some colours are much easier to find than others.

Clear, green and brown glass are amongst the colours you're more likely to spot because those colours have been widely used for bottles and containers.

But occasionally something very different appears.

Blue and aqua pieces are always exciting finds for me, and unusual shades can make a beachcombing trip particularly memorable.

The colour can sometimes give us clues about what the original glass was used for, although it isn't always possible to identify its history with certainty.

That's part of the mystery.

Is Every Piece I Find Suitable for Crafting?

No, and that's something I think is important.

Finding glass on a beach doesn't automatically mean it's the lovely, naturally weathered sea glass I'm looking for.

Some pieces may still be relatively new or have sharp edges.

When I'm collecting for my work, I'm looking for pieces that have been naturally shaped and softened.

Then comes another decision:

What am I going to make with it?

Sometimes that's obvious.

Other times, not at all!

 

How I Choose Sea Glass for My Creations

I don't begin every design by deciding exactly what it needs and then trying to find identical pieces.

Quite often I work the other way around.

I'll look through the sea glass I've collected and let the shapes give me ideas.

A tiny curved piece might suddenly look perfect for a particular picture.

Two pieces that have been sitting separately might suddenly work beautifully together.

Or I might find one gorgeous piece that doesn't need much added to it at all.

That's one of the reasons I enjoy working with genuine sea glass so much.

I couldn't make every piece identical even if I wanted to.

The sea has already done part of the designing for me.

 

From a Pembrokeshire Beach to JMc Crafts

Once I've collected my sea glass, it comes home with me to be cleaned, sorted and inspected.

Some pieces might be used quite quickly.

Others are stored until the right idea comes along.

I've had pieces waiting patiently for ages before suddenly finding exactly the right project for them!

Eventually, something that was once lying amongst the stones on a Pembrokeshire beach can become part of a framed picture, a piece of jewellery or another coastal creation.

And then it goes somewhere completely new.

It might be bought by somebody visiting Pembrokeshire who wants a reminder of their holiday.

It might become a birthday or Christmas present.

Or it might be chosen by somebody who simply loves the sea as much as I do.

I love thinking about that journey.

                                           

 

Why I Love Working With Genuine Sea Glass

For me, sea glass isn't about perfection.

Actually, it's almost the opposite.

It's the unusual shape, tiny marks, different shades and little imperfections that give each piece its character.

No factory has produced thousands of identical copies.

I found that particular piece on a beach.

The sea shaped it.

I created something from it.

And eventually somebody else gets to take it home.

That's what makes my Coastal Collection by J so personal to me.

Next Time You're Walking Along the Beach...

Have a look amongst the stones.

You might spot a little flash of green, white, brown or blue.

And if it's beautifully smooth and frosted, you may have discovered your own little piece of sea glass treasure.

Just remember to take care around any glass that is still sharp and leave anything dangerous well alone.

As for me?

I'll probably be somewhere along the Pembrokeshire coast, head down, searching amongst the stones and wondering what the tide has brought in this time. 🌊🐚

Julie
JMc Crafts by J & R
Coastal Collection by J • Timeless by R

Genuine sea glass • Collected on Pembrokeshire beaches • Made into something to treasure