How to make Sea Glass | Wearing Glass
My childhood here in New Zealand was filled with hazy summer days running over hot black sand to pick up treasures. I had bottles full of shells, but my favourites were those smooth, colourful bits of sea glass.
WHAT IS SEA GLASS?
Sea glass starts its journey as discarded glass bottles, jars, and other items that find their way into the ocean. Over time, the waves, sand, and rocks tumble and polish these sharp pieces into smooth, frosted gems.
HOW SEA GLASS TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD
So, how does sea glass travel around the world? It’s a fascinating journey! When glass enters the ocean, it can travel vast distances, carried by currents and tides. Each piece of sea glass can spend decades or even centuries tumbling through the ocean before it washes up on shore. The colours and shapes of sea glass vary depending on its origin and the elements it encounters along the way. It’s like a global scavenger hunt, with each piece telling its own unique story.
While sea glass can be beautiful, it also serves as a stark reminder of ocean pollution. Our waters are teeming with plastic, glass, and other debris that harm marine life and ecosystems. As much as we love finding these ocean gems, it’s important to remember the impact of our actions on the environment.
HOW I MAKE MY SEA GLASS DROPS
Now, let me share a bit about how I make my sea glass drops. While naturally tumbled sea glass is a fantastic find, I create my own sea glass pieces and here’s how I do it:
BEAUTIFUL PIHA BEACH
It all starts with inspiration from the stunning Piha Beach. The black sand, crashing waves, and rugged coastline provide endless inspiration and I use a handful of Piha sand to create that soft, sea glass surface on my sea glass drops.
LAMPWORK GLASS
To make my jewellery I use a technique called lampworking. I heat glass rods with a blow-torch and shape them into beautiful handmade jewellery. The heat allows me to manipulate the glass, creating unique shapes. It’s a delicate process requiring precision and patience, but the results are worth it!
STONE TUMBLER
After shaping the glass, I use a stone tumbler filled with black sand from Piha Beach to smooth and frost the pieces, giving them that distinctive sea glass look. The tumbler, filled with sand and water, mimics the natural tumbling action of the ocean, but in a much shorter time. This process takes several days, but it ensures that each piece has a consistent, soft finish.
CHECK OUT MY WORK
Speaking of beautiful pieces, have you seen my latest Sea Glass collection? I’ve been experimenting with different shapes, and I’m excited to share the results with you.