Acorn Beach Glass and Artistry is honored to be a Professional Member of the prestigious International Sea Glass Association (ISGA)! we are skilled artisans and take pride in crafting exquisite and one-of-a-kind artwork, jewelry, mugs, ornaments, and much more. We are thrilled to be a part of the upcoming ISGA Festival in Mystic, CT - a beautiful location that will only add to the charm of our stunning creations. We eagerly anticipate the chance to meet new customers and reconnect with old ones, as we showcase our unique and compelling products. Join us at the ISGA Festival and witness firsthand the talent and craftsmanship of Acorn Beach Glass and Artistry!
Great Lakes Treasure
CommentIs GREAT LAKES BEACH valuable? Yes!
Beaches worldwide have a reputation for unveiling unique treasures not found elsewhere. In my case, these precious finds are from the Great Lakes shoreline.
Before municipal landfills, people along the shorelines disposed of their waste by burying it or discarding it into the lakes. Its origins, which might include glass items like marbles, old bottles, jars, dishware and even things from sunken ships. One of the most captivating aspects of beach glass lies in the time it takes to become that treasure we all love. It can take from several decades, to centuries of tumbling out in the water against the rocks, and sand and other things for a piece of everyday glassware to become a beautiful, gem-like treasure.
Oddly enough, beach glass can truly be a “what comes around, goes around" treasure. Unlike precious gems that are mined from the Earth and refined by people, beach glass is first shaped by people and then refined by nature. To be considered authentic beach glass, it must undergo its transformation solely through natural forces.
Authentic beach glass possesses distinct characteristics that set it apart from its artificially produced counterparts. Artificial beach glass lacks the allure of genuine beach glass. Authentic beach glass never appears to be clear or glossy, and each piece is one of a kind.
Beach glass is found in many shapes and sizes, each with its own unique story. While some pieces may be flawlessly shaped and free of chips or dings, others hold onto a bit of the original patterns. For example, old dishware or glass bottles. The telltale sign of genuine beach glass is its frosty appearance. Interesting fun fact: If two or more colors of beach glass have become intertwined. It is sometimes referred to as "fire glass". Meaning that it was probably glass bottles and such that were, for example, disposed of by throwing them in a fire or lost in a house, barn, or factory fire and melted together before finding their way to the lake.
We get very excited when we see the almost unheard-of color red, hoping NOT to find out that it's a piece of a plastic bike reflector when we get it back to the studio! You just don't know when you're hunting. We pick it up and sometimes it’s a reflector and other times it's the coveted red beach glass! Either way, it's a win. A treasured find or doing a little part in removing garbage from the shores.
The color of beach glass offers insight into its rarity and value. Common colors like white, brown, and green often originate from milk, beer, soda, and wine bottles. Rare colors might include deep aqua, light blue, cobalt blue, cornflower blue, and turquoise. Those typically originate from old glass jars used for an ink-well, electrical insulators, and medicine bottles etc. Even more rare is the discovery of a bottle stopper, a marble or in my case a Jane! I worked for a doctor that is also a beach glass hunter. She showed me her treasured "Jane", a self-proclaimed name that she gave to it. It was almost whole, maybe 2–3-inch doll that she found. She said that they were in bags of flour being shipped by boat and used to help absorb moisture to protect the flour. Ironically enough, the only other person that I've heard that has found one is her close friend. So, whenever I see her and she asks me how I am, I always say, still looking for my Jane!
The most sought-after colors, like red and orange, are exceptionally scarce due to the expensive gold chloride additive required to that color when originally made.
The rarity and unique characteristics of beach glass contribute to its popularity. Unlike common gemstones, beach glass is rare by nature, originating from old glassware that has undergone decades or centuries of natural refinement. As a result, genuine beach glass holds more value than its original bottles or glass pieces. Every single piece is one of a kind!
Beyond its scarcity and beauty, beach glass holds a deeper value for many as a special experience. Beach glass collectors cherish the symbolism and history behind each piece, imagining its origins and the stories it holds. I literally start envisioning how I will use the pieces as I am picking them up! Each person has a story. I found comfort in collecting beach glass after the death of my siblings. It was quiet at the beach and held so many memories for me to reflect on of growing up together along these shores.
As the supply of authentic beach glass dwindles and its popularity rises, its value continues to grow. Genuine beach glass cannot be replicated artificially, which adds to its authentic uniqueness. Do not be fooled by tumbled or frosted pieces of commercially treated pieces! For true beach glass hunters, the initial thrill is in the discovery of these treasures. Then the process begins of meticulously going through the process of washing, and sorting each piece, keeping the quality pieces, and recycling the ones that are of little or no value. Then I start to create unique art pieces, wine glass charms, suncatchers and so much more. I like imagining the reaction of people years back, if they could see what has become of, what they called trash. But my favorite thoughts are of the smiles of people that see my work and want to purchase it.
In the end, beach glass is not merely trash washed up on a beach in fact, what was once trash becomes a treasure. What is that saying? One man's trash is another man's treasure...it just happens to be a hundred years or so in the making. The search for quality beach glass is becoming more challenging but the journey to find these rare jewels remains rewarding.
We offer our products on social media, in our Etsy shop, and of course on this website. For those that like to see our treasure in person, we will be at two of the biggest festivals this 2024 summer. Read more on our festival blog.
YESSSS!! Acorn Beach Glass and Festivals, Back Together Once Again!
CommentAfter a very rough two years for all of us, there is a festival light at the end of this tunnel! If you had given up hope on them, fear not, many are planned. We’re excited to be a part of two of them in the next few months.
It is our hope that we see you at the upcoming 16th Annual North American Sea Glass Festival. This festival will be held at Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center. On the shores of Lake Erie in Oregon, Ohio. A great way to celebrate beach/sea glass, springtime… and Pirates! This festival will be held May 21, 2022, 10 am to 5 pm and May 22, 2022, 10 am to 4 pm. Find more information: https://seaglassassociation.org/festival
In June, BAYarts Annual Art & Music Festival in Bay Village, Ohio returns! This festival is held on Saturday, June 18 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. With a long history and over 75 vendors, we’re sure you will not find a better way to spend time outdoors on a Saturday in June. More details can be found here: https://bayarts.net/events/art-festival.html Be sure to check out the Bayarts gift shop as well. Open year-round and offering a unique array of works by talented local artists, like us, for example, make it worth the visit.
Proud and honored to be members of both the North American Sea Glass Association AND BAYarts, we look forward to spending time with you at one OR both of these festivals!
Supporting Small Business at such a Time as This
Comment75 DEGREES?? It’s November, In Cleveland, Ohio and it’s 75 degrees! It’s been 70 or better for a couple of days now. I could deal with this temperature all winter. Beach Glassing would be a whole lot easier, that’s for sure. This year, I have created quite a few pieces that consume a very large amount of beach glass. They are beautiful and worth it. And I will gladly take more time at the beach any chance I get for that outcome. Not that I need an excuse to shoot on down to the beach ANY chance I get, wink wink.
With the holidays here, I wanted to share that along with my website, I sell through a wonderful art shop by the name of BAYarts. Located in Bay Village, Ohio right along the lake, it is well worth a stop and you will not be disappointed. Make sure you have some time to wander through and check out not only my things but all of the artist’s that are there. This time of year is especially warm and inviting. You could shop for the most unique gifts for everyone on your list right in this one small town shop. Please check their website for holiday hours @ https://www.bayarts.net/ I’m so grateful to be able to display and sell along with the other artists at BAYarts. With the pandemic, all of my festivals were canceled this year. That took a starving artist to a whole new level for many of us and was so disheartening. I totally get it and would have made the same decision that the festival directors made but I sure did miss getting out and meeting people all while being able to show my things in person.
I know you have heard over and over to support small businesses which is something that we have tried to do for years but this year especially, please shop small businesses. Buy gifts that are meaningful and thoughtfully made with love for the ones that you love.
Happy Holidays with love
Nanci
Who would have thought?
Products, NewsCommentIf you knew my sister and I mentioned her, you would probably smile and start reminiscing about the absolutely unique and quirky experiences you shared with her at one time or another. Well, that was my whole life with her. She was probably the most unique person I’ve ever had the honor to share life with. She had every family story down pat and there are still times that I wish I could call her and ask her about something that happened just to hear her spin on it.
She used to tell people that I learned how to cook and she learned how to sew from mom. Sew, one year for our birthday, knowing that I would not, could not sew, evarrrrrrr and our daughter Carrie felt the same, guess what she gave us? Yep, a sewing machine! She was so excited and happy to watch us open that. We opened it and just stared at it and then at her and then at each other. Kacky? Really, a sewing machine? That machine sat in its case in the basement for years and years without being touched. It ended up being given to someone that could use it. Now, of course, I wish I would have kept it. Fast forward 30-40 years and guess who is at a sewing machine for hours at a time? I keep a picture of her and me right in front of my sewing machine and it makes me smile and wonder what she would say if she could see me now. Probably something like, who would have thought?!
Sew, this Coronavirus COVID 19 thing shows up in our world. Masks are now a thing. Who would have thought? I’m crafty, I can make masks! Or could I? I would not, could not evarrrrrrr be able to handle the frustration of a sewing machine. I did have a machine that I had picked up a few years ago that I use when I am making beach glassing bags for my shop. Pulled it out and it needed repairs. Well that stinks, I was going to try and sew. Then a coworker of my husband loaned me a machine. That was a blessing but soon all of my frustration and impatience I have with things like sewing machines popped right back up. I mean who can even see to thread the darn thing? It worked well enough for me to learn this mask thing that is now part of our world and I was grateful that I could at least start learning how to sew masks.
BUT THEN….this year for my birthday and Mother’s Day, our kids all went together and bought me this machine that is beyond words. But, I still have to figure out how to sew. I wish I could have called my sister because she would have loved to hear these words come out of my mouth. “Hey Kacky, can you help me learn how to sew something? I mean, who would have thought? If you know me, you know I typically will start 14 different things at once and just rotate around them all, hence the logo and name of my company. But not this time. The focus on one thing is now on the playing board and this machine is amazing! I’m going to figure out these masks for my family.
I think I must have tried 14 different versions of mask making before I decided to take some of my favorite parts of each practice one and create my “Super Comfy-Won’t Fog Your Glasses Cotton Masks”
At first, I was only making them for my family but then a friend of mine saw them and asked about them. Suz wears glasses and loved how her glasses never fogged up while wearing one of my masks. She wanted several more for her family and friends. And sew, here I am adding these masks to my little shop. I have sold them to friends, nurses, doctors, mail carriers, coworkers, neighbors, and others. I have had so many compliments and so many repeat buyers. I say buy one, give it a test drive, and you will definitely want more. I don’t think face masks will be going away soon. In fact, the governor of our state just made them mandatory. We are now accessorizing with face masks? Who would have thought?
Check out our facemasks. The page is new and every day I add more to it. So keep coming back and don’t forget to check out the fun beach glass pages!!
And most of all hope and pray for an end to this virus soon!