Sea glass is the generic term for any piece of glass that has found its way into the sea and been tumbled by the waves.
Sea glass can often be found on the more remote beaches of our planet, but it is getting increasingly hard to find on regular beaches.
Ranging in color and size, sea glass can sometimes appear as dangerous shards which have been hardly touched by the sea. These pieces should be disposed of carefully and cannot be used in craft projects.
Small, smooth-textured pieces of glass, which have been worn by the waves and rumbled against rocks and sand for many decades take on an appearance totally different from new glass. The edges are softened and the color becomes muted. Dents and cracks caused by the initial breakage of the item retain their brilliance, which shows up all the more against the opaque density of the outside edges.
Children love to find sea glass on the beaches. It's rarity makes it valuable, and its age gives it romance. Where did it being it's life? Why was it lost? How long has it been in the sea?
Along with the tiny pink shells, pieces of driftwood and broken flints, gems of sea glass can all be used to add glamour to your home.
The romance of the sea is best expressed in your bathroom, but outdoor chalets, summer houses, beach huts and even decking areas of the garden are all good places to display your sea glass collection. Pile pieces up in bowls, layer them with oyster shells, or place them on rocks for children to find unexpectedly.
You can also use sea glass in jewellery (see other Helium articles for this) or in your home dcor.
Frames
Add sea glass to mosaic pieces and cover a mirror or picture frame.
Containers
Cover containers with pieces of sea glass, broken china , even small pieces of jewelry to make a treasure chest. Add sea shells and driftwood for an even stronger sea theme.
Lamp bases
Cover lamp bases as above. If you don't have a spare base to cover, you could find one in a thrift shop or use an old bottle.
Trivets
Cover tiles with sea glass to make coasters and trivets.
All these things are great uses for the sea glass that you find. If you have very small pieces, they can be added to scrapbook pages to remind you of the day you found them. Alternatively, they could be used in card-making, to add an extra special.
Take some time when you are next on a beach to look out for gems like sea glass. They might be tiny and seemingly insignificant, but think of where they came from and why they are there. It could be the beginning of a brand new hobby!