 Laura & her dog Britches, chillin'
About the Artist
Born and raised in Havre de Grace, Maryland, I've always appreciated the history and water culture of the area. I've collected sea glass since I was a child because I admired its beauty and origins. Much of the glass I find is historic and was used in the 1800s and early 1900s. Stoppers from Worcestershire bottles, Arlington Brewing Company bottles, Havre de Grace Coca-Cola bottles, blue medicine bottle pieces -- they are all beautiful and many contain their original markings, which allows me to determine their age. St. Mary's County is my Maryland home now and my two kids, husband and I have moved away and returned to St. Mary's County several times during my husband's Navy career. Finally we are here to stay and call Leonardtown home! St. Mary’s County has its very own beautiful sea glass that that is rounded and frosted into all shapes and colors. I use my sea glass collection to create one-of-a-kind jewelry and gifts for customers. |
About GlassSea Jewelry
I create sea glass jewelry including rings, necklaces, earrings, hair accessories and bracelets from my sea glass collection. I also have a line of sea glass wine charms that I make to order. I commission work through my website and shows I attend including the Patuxent River Arts and Crafts Show, Annmarie Gardens Makers Market and BeerFest at St. Mary’s City. My line of pendants and necklaces use a combination of copper and silver wire elements to wrap the sea glass – there are a number of designs I use to create a piece, but no two are alike. I prefer the beauty of pure 18-20-gauge sterling silver and copper to plated wire. Although larger gauge wires are harder to form and shape, the thick and vibrant silver accentuates the beauty of the translucent glass. My line of earrings incorporates sea glass from St. Mary’s County – small beads of sea glass matched in aqua, emerald green, cobalt, citron and white to create unique, stunning ear drops. I incorporate handcrafted infinity links and other findings to add a unique look to my earring line. Once a piece of sea glass is wrapped, I use Swarovski Crystals, Czech beads, Bali silver beads to add sparkle and shine. Necklace material is either sterling silver or soft, buttery leather cord. My pieces are understated to offset the beauty of the sea glass – the sea glass is the focal point and everything else is complementary! |
About Sea Glass
Sea glass is found anywhere people lived in the 1800s-1900s and disposed of glass waste in rivers, bays and oceans. In Maryland, there were many places where ships traveled and docked and where people congregated and glass waste was created. These bottles were perfumes, condiments such as Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce, beverages like Coca-Cola, Hires Root Beer Extract, Albion Whiskey of Baltimore & the Arlington Brewing Company (1902-1918), and toiletries, perfumes and medicines such as RubiFoam for the Teeth & Gums. I have pieces of all these bottles and, on occasion I find a few whole bottles and large pieces with enough writing for me to discern their age, use and manufacturing location. To learn more about historic glass bottles, click here. |
What I Find
Part of an old Bromo Seltzer bottle from Emerson Drug Co., Baltimore, Maryland.
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Matched pairs for earrings & miscellaneous pieces.
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Half a bottle bottom that says: "Havre de G" -- I found the other half and it is an old coke bottle from Havre de Grace, Md.
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Pieces of 18th & early 19th century art and bottle glass. Soon to be wine charms!
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Where I Find Sea Glass
Northeast River, Maryland
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Northeast River, Md
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Chesapeake Bay, Patuxent River Naval Air Station
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What I Make
These are some of the pieces I've made with the found sea glass. I often add a bit of complementary bling to my designs, but the addition is very subtle. I don't want the bling to overshadow the focal sea glass. I've found sea glass beads, embossed designs, pottery, beautiful, rounded sea glass, and assorted colors. I wrap each piece in sterling silver or copper wire, often blending the two for a striking mixed metals piece.
Please contact me if you would like to order a personalized piece of jewelry for yourself, a friend or family member or if you would like made-to-order sea glass wine charms.
Please contact me if you would like to order a personalized piece of jewelry for yourself, a friend or family member or if you would like made-to-order sea glass wine charms.
