Creation

Art from litter

As some of you know, I don’t live very far from the coast. One of my nearest beaches makes up part of the Durham Heritage Coast. The coastline is famous for sea glass- “jewels”, officially litter, laying there in the shingle, tumbled and washed up from a local glass industry of old.

I visit here regularly, when I am in need of some bracing air, the sound of the waves and some contemplation time. I easily spend a couple of hours after high tide mindfully scouring the beach for washed up sea glass, which comes in all colours and shapes.

I have an abundance of it, two big vases full to the brim. I place them on a window sill so that the light shines through. I have some lovely, chunky pieces and for some time now have wanted to do more from my pieces than just look at them. So, I looked around at possible sea glass workshops and came across a sea glass jewellery making one in the next village to me. Perfect!

The workshop, which was expertly taught by Lindsay, guided me through the process of making wire wrapped sea glass jewellery. Her calm manner and encouraging presence meant that I could channel my inner artist. Patience, dexterity and an eye for detail were required, all of which I am in the infancy of said skills, but it was one of the most satisfying morning activities I have done for some time.

I took along my sea glass and set to work creating a spiral out of coloured wire. The end of the spirals were positioned initially at either end of the sea glass and carefully, with some maneuvering, managed to encase the glass, transforming it into a nurtured jewel. It was most inspiring!

Two and a half hours later I had made four pendants and a ring.

I felt satisfied, skilled and proud of myself that I had given time to fulfil a dream. It felt like I was walking in the footsteps of ancestors, whose primitive skills to decorate and adorn led to self expression and personality. If the jewellery I created is a reflection of me, then I am a litter picking, recycler who loves all things colourful and full of texture.

Now I have a few skills, I am definitely going to be making some more of these pieces. Just a few bits of equipment and of course my vast collection of glass to choose from is all that is needed to get me started from home.

I am curious:

Have you ever found a piece of sea glass?

If so, what did you do with it?

Is there anything you are drawn to make or create?

If you wear jewellery, what does it say about your personality?

To find more about my adventures with sea glass, check out my post “Soulful, salty air”