Seaglass Bottle Stopper

One of my favourite pieces of beach treasure is this intact, sea-tumbled bottle stopper that I found on a shore near Dublin. Originally a club sauce stopper, it is quite a rare find. Isn't it simply gorgeous?

seafoam seaglass bottle stopper

fully frosted seaglass pendant

Natural seaglass is glass that has spent decades tumbling in the salty waves of the ocean. The silt, rocks and elements polish and smooth any ragged edges. More importantly, the water eventually leaches minerals, namely sodium and potassium, from the glass, causing that frosted or etched look that cannot be faked. Only time and tide achieve it. A highly frosted piece must have been in the sea for well over 100 years. 

Glass bottle stoppers were particularly popular in these parts in the 1800s before solid cork stoppers became more commonplace. Flat-top stoppers with cork sheaths around the shank were much used for sauce bottles from the mid 19th century. Not surprisingly this style is known as 'Club Sauce Stopper.' The cork would have eroded away in the sea decades ago. Today glass stoppers are still found in retro-styled perfume and apothecary bottles, for example. 

partial sea glass bottle stopper

 This partial piece was found on a North Dublin shore. The round rim has been eroded right away but you can still tell it is an antique bottle stopper. It is a beautiful teal colour. 

This intact one was found on a South Dublin shore and is a lovely seafoam colour. This greeny aqua tint often seen in old seaglass is caused by the iron content in the sand used to make the original glass.

 I don't intend wrapping it into a piece of seaglass jewellery. This beauty is more of a collector's item to hold onto for the joy of having found it.

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Want to see some rare red seaglass I found? Please click here

Click here to see some interesting shapes in white seaglass

Seaglass bottle necks

How to clean Seaglass and sea pottery

Recycling Project. Candle Holder with Small Seaglass Pieces

Small pieces of colourful Irish seaglass

 What do you do with those little tiny pieces of frosted seaglass that wash up on the shore? I have a bunch of them that are way too small for wire-wrapped jewellery and ornaments. The colours are beautiful and it's a shame to waste them. Most of them are fully frosted so they have probably been tumbling in the sea for decades and it's lovely to be able to recycle them. Here's one very simple idea as to how to display them by making an eye catching candle holder.

(To learn how to clean seaglass  firstclick HERE)

As this is a recycling project, I decided to re-use this small, glass, ramekin dish that came with lemon souffle in it. (Yummy!) At just over an inch high (c28mm) and slightly more than 3 inches in diameter (c78mm), it is the perfect size for displaying a tea light candle.

First I put the small tea light in the centre of the ramakin. After placing the small seaglass around the candle, I carefully filled the dish with water, falling short of the top of the candle by about half a centimetre.

The colourful pieces of sea glass remind me a bit of those sugary, jelly sweets small kids love.

The fluted design of the dish throws gorgeous patterns of light. The candlelight picks up some soft colour from the seaglass in the water. Three of them would make great centre pieces along a table. Only two lemon souffles in a pack...I'd best go and get some more so.

To learn how to clean seaglass click HERE

To learn how to clean seaglass jewellery click HERE

I'm Dreaming of a Wire Christmas

Irish sea glass ornament

As like last year, the Christmas ornaments are flying out of my shop since the beginning of November..but it makes sense as most of them have to travel across the ocean to USA and Canada and maybe as far as Australia and Japan again. Last shipping dates for overseas is 6th December! That is only a couple of weeks away.

It's so cool to think something I wrapped up in wire with my own hands will be gracing Christmas trees in various parts of the world. I hope they bring a little Irish luck and a lot of joy, especially when given to or purchased by an ex-pat Paddy far away from home. (I'm allowed use the P word, I'm 100% Paddy Irish! Thems there the rules, so they are!)

          

I have only  2 mini Connemara marble trees left!!  OK I also have one, as yet unwrapped, stone waiting to be decorated. I always save one until last lest a customer wants the wire wrapping to be personalised. But I wont be holding back much longer. It has to get into my shop soon or it wont get out of it on time for last shipping (oh, did I mention it was 6th December for overseas?)

Inspirations. Dollymount Strand

Lately I've been very lacking in creative inspiration and I put it down to the fact that I've been unable to walk much on my foot since plantar fasciitis struck last Autumn. However, I've slowly been able to get back into my walking boots with a combination of physio and other means.

So I decided to brave it and go for a decent walk with my Etsy friend, Mo of Huggleknits, and combine it with a catch up about Etsy business.  We chose to revisit a Dublin city beach I hadn't been to in almost a decade, Dollymount Strand, just North of the city centre. It is much closer than I'd ever realised and it is easily accessible by bus.

Catch the bus on Lower Abbey Street. (Dublin, Google Maps)

Take the 130 bus from Lwr Abbey St. The fare is currently €2.40 and in bad, Saturday afternoon traffic it took about 30 mins. Coming back around 7pm took just 2o mins. Once past Fairview, the Clontarf road affords beautiful views of Dublin Bay and Harbour. There is a coastal promenade in Clontarf which is popular with walkers all year round. It stretches from Fairview Park to the Bull wall at Dollymount so alternatively, you could get off at any point and follow this paved walkway.

Dollymount bridge, May 2013, Amo'r

However, the busstop for Dollymount strand is immediately after the landmark wooden bridge. The bridge takes you to North Bull island and its sandy beach. Cars use the bridge to access the car park, but there is a wide pedestrian section on both sides so it is perfectly safe for walkers. 

 

The island is a relatively new land formation that grew from a small sand bank over the past 200 years. The South Wall and the Bull Wall were built to stop silting in the Liffey and as a result, tidal currents deposited layer upon layer of sand creating this unusual sanctuary so close to the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Dollymount strand  Looking Northwards to Howth, May 2013, Amo'r

The flat, sandy beach stretches about 5km (over 3 miles) long and affords a comfortable, scenic walk at any time of year, with breathtaking, expansive views of Dublin bay.  You can see ships entering and leaving Dublin Docks just to the South. Beyond the curve of coastline, the Wicklow mountains are clearly visible on the horizon. To the North you can see the Sutton side of the Howth peninsula.

When I was a kid we used to go to Dollymount strand for walks in Winter and Spring. We never swam in the sea as, if my memory serves me well, it was not the cleanest of beaches then. Today it is super clean and known for its ecological uniqueness.  The island is a UNESCO biosphere reserve boasting a bird and wild life sanctuary at the Northern end.  There is plenty of space to walk, run, fly a kite or just chill.

The fresh air did the trick and I've got a number of design ideas floating in my head (if you'll excuse the unintended pun please.)


For more inspiring walks around or close to Dublin, click HERE
To catch a glimpse of a curious bathing area at Dollymount click HERE

Some sea pottery, sea glass and sea themed items from my Etsy store:

   

 

 

Very Old and Distorted Seaglass

teal seaglass keychain. Irish seaglass.

 On occasion I am lucky enough to find a really old piece of seaglass on the Dublin coast. This is a fairly rare piece of teal seaglass. Teal is one of the less common colours of seaglass but this piece is particularly interesting because it has been extensively frosted and even gnarled by the stormy Irish sea. Frosting naturally occurs over decades in the sea when the salty water leeches soda and lime from the glass.

The only other piece I have found in such a gnarled condition is a mottled piece of cobalt seaglass which I also made into a keychain (now sold.) This specimen was a truly curious shape and had an interesting, bumpy texture. It might be end of day waste glass that was discarded by a glass manufacturer, perhaps even in a semi molten state and it hardened when it hit the cold water. (Any more knowledgeable opinions welcome)

Something sandy-coloured has fused with the teal piece of seaglass in one or two of the crevices. At first I thought it was just impacted sand and after sterilising and thoroughly washing, I scrubbed at it with strong nail brush. I even tried to delicately scrape the residue away to no avail. I realised it was completely fused to the glass and that it is most probably the residue of sea tile or beach-worn redbrick.. On occasion, different materials such as stones, tile, coral, sea pottery, seaglass etc fuse together when they have been compressed in the ocean under layers of deposits.

The piece is very special but not pretty enough for jewellery. I wire wrapped it in silver plated wire and attached it to a key ring. It would make a cool gift for a man with Irish roots and/or a love of the sea. I'd love to see it go to a sea farer of some description.

TO READ ABOUT SHADES OF GREEN SEAGLASS CLICK HERE

TO LEARN HOW TO CLEAN SEAGLASS CLICK HERE

Another Seaglass Bottle Stopper

I can't believe I found another, intact, seaglass stopper!! OK, technically I didn't find it. I was standing right beside it, obliviously examining a piece of sea pottery I'd just picked up off the sand. It was my Etsy friend Heli of Heli MG Tufted Luxury whose sharp eyes honed in on it. She pounced on it yelping in excitement and nearly frightened the life out of me. Heli generously gave the coveted treasure to me to add to my collection of rare finds.

The stopper on the left is one I found a bit further up the coast a few weeks back. It has a pointier nose and a small flaw on the under rim. This latest find is also a seafoam colour, has a rounder stalk and  is perfectly intact. Both are beautifully frosted by the sea and must be very old. Last month I wrote up a post explaining a little about this type of sauce bottle stopper. To read it CLICK HERE

There are some pieces I just can't bring myself to wire wrap into jewellery and I keep them to be admired just as they are. This is one of those special finds. Though our other beach combing companion, Mo of Huggle Knits, suggested I wire up some sort of stand to hold it in. Great idea and a new challenge for me to try out. I have a few designs floating in my head now.

To read how to clean seaglass click HERE

To read about seaglass stoppers click HERE

to see my seaglass jewellery click HERE

Sea Glass and Copper Wire

Copper has been used in Irish jewellery for centuries. It is a reddish, brown metal that is a pleasure to work with and beautiful to wear.

Natural copper wire lends a warmer look than silver, and tends to scratch less easily than plated wire when working with it. It is pliable for wire wrapping, yet strong and sturdy, perfect for encasing seaglass. I love it whether it's shiny and red, or whether it has garnered a darker, more rustic patina with time.

I've just listed this russet-brown seaglass pendant on Etsy. I found the frosted glass on a beach in Dublin. The rich, autumnal colour works really well with the warmth of the copper wire.

Right now the metal is bright and shiny. It will slowly gain a darker patina. This is a natural occurrence known as oxidation.






This turquoise stone pendant is wrapped in pre-oxidised copper wire. It has a more rustic or vintage feel to it.

Brightening untreated copper is actually fairly easy to do. Beware of trying this on lacquered copper or so-called 'Vintaj' copper or similar. Lacquered copper will never really tarnish, it just gets grimy. All it needs is a wash in soapy water. 'Vintag' or 'Antiqued' copper is a cheaper alloy metal and will not brighten properly.


However, natural copper that has oxidised over time can be brightened with a lemon and salt solution.  Just pour a couple of inches of water into a non-metallic bowl. Add a few drops of lemon, enough to lightly cloud the solution, and a few decent shakes of salt. Dip or soak your natural copper and watch how quickly the patina is lifted off.

salt and lemon solution will brighten natural copper

This method is safe for sea glass and other glass but not recommended for gemstone, pearls or amber. It is safe for sheet copper jewellery that is un-coated.

Copper bookmarks. Oxidised on the left, cleaned with lemon and salt in water on the right.

How to Clean Silver
How to Clean Seaglass and Sea Pottery
How to Care for Seaglass Jewellery

More Interesting Sea Glass

Here's another interesting piece of old seaglass I recently found on a shore near Dublin. I haven't quite worked out yet what it is and what is on it. It looks like part of some sort of crest with writing around the edges perhaps. That may be a motif of a shield on the right. I need to study it in different lights and with a magnifying glass to work it out. If I find anything of interest I will share it here. Or indeed, if anyone can shed some light on it, please do.

Click here to learn: How to clean Seaglass
Click here to see my seaglass jewelry and gifts for sale on Etsy

Killiney Caught My Eye 9

Caught My Eye is the section of my blog that I reserve for scenes that struck me as curious, comical, weird, or aesthetically appealing when out and about on one of my rambles. Please forgive my amateur photography and enjoy the photos for what they are - a glimpse at the world that I find so inspiring.

The sea close to Killiney, Dublin this summer. As for many an artist, writer or poet, the ocean always inspires me to get creative.

 The colour of the water was particularly gorgeous that day in August. It was a stunning shade of bluey-green I wouldn't normally associate with the formidable, dark Irish sea.

Aqua blue sea glass pendant from Ireland

We didn't spend long on the stony beach as the heavens were about to open. I found only one solitary piece of usable sea glass on the strand in the twenty minutes or so we were there. But it was of the rare, aqua blue variety, so worth it. Above is the pendant I made from it: aptly named 'Cool Water.'

Beautiful Things from Recycled, Found or Upcycled Objects

Much as I adore working with natural gemstones and in particular, Irish stones,  turning outdated, old or found objects into a thing of beauty can be really satisfying. Not only is it a very green and economically sound thing to do but it is also creatively fulfilling. You can do some very simple things with buttons, beach treasure, old broken jewelry etc.

From time to time I recycle old broken jewelry to make handbag charms, key chains etc. Most of the components of this brown mother of pearl and bead purse charm (sold) came from an old broken necklace.

Next time I'm making something like this I will post instructions.

butterfly button pendant

Stray buttons have lots of uses in jewellery and of course, for updating old outfits, handbags etc. I love to wire wrap them into pretty and affordable, button pendants.

plain black umbrella, personalised with a bright button

But one of the traditional and easiest ways to cheer up a tired-looking outfit is of course, to either embellish with colourful buttons or simply change the existing buttons to something more interesting

Last winter several of my work mates had similar black umbrellas and I kept picking up the wrong one. So I personalised mine by adding a pinky-purple button to the wrap-around tie.

While I was at it, I decided to drag out a simple black, zip up, wool coat that had seen better days and make it match my brolly.

As the original black buttons on the cuffs and neck were just a tad bigger, I decided to keep them and just stitch the purple ones on top. This 'frame' effect looks more finished and suits the heavy material better.  After a spot of dry-cleaning, this old coat has gleaned a whole new lease of life. 

Irish seaglass bookmark

 One of my favourite materials is seaglass, naturally tumbled and frosted by the sea and found on local beaches.

It's not always easy to wire wrap it so that it stays secure but remains beautiful, but getting it right can be so rewarding.

vintage seaglass keychain

Seaglass makes beautiful jewelry but I also use it for bookmarks and other gifts

And this week I listed an ornament or sun catcher that I made by upcycling a cool piece of beach-worn glass I found on a Dublin strand.  The sea and silt have softened up the edges of the glass, but I don't feel it is frosted heavily enough to truly classify as 'seaglass.' Hence the term 'beach-worn.' However, it is an aesthetically appealing find. The bubble-effect glass almost looks liquid when hung on a lit up Christmas tree. So-called trash can really turn into treasure

Candle holder made by recycling packaging and found seaglass

 You don't have to be very artistic to make beautiful things from found or upcycled objects. To see how to make the easy peasy candle holder above, click HERE.