Polishing Sea Glass

My stockpile of sea glass was looking a little cloudy so I went to the internet to find out how to "polish" it and found that it's pretty darn simple.
Vegetable oil and an old rag is all you need!
It turns white-ish because of the salt that is still on the glass, but the oil removes it and lets the true color show!
I think sea glass is more and more beautiful every single day.

Before

After!

These are all the colors I've found so far... still on the hunt for something red or pink!

Here are a few projects I've done lately with my sea glass, the easiest being my new ring.
I found out that my finger is exactly the size of a pop or beer bottle top.  amazing!

A necklace!

And a new wind chime!

it sounds so beautiful! 
I'm thinking about doubling the size of it... and I'm searching for an awesome piece of driftwood to attach it to!


Are you guys sick of my beachy/summery posts??
I only have 2 months left on this gorgeous island... and then I'll be posting all about winter and snow. trust.

Sea Glass Jackpot!

The other day my friends and I went snorkeling at a secluded area called Flamingo Bay. 
The reason we made the trip was the awesome snorkeling - a rainbow assortment of fish, coral, sea fans, and urchins galore... but our eyes soon became fixed on the sand and the incredible amount of sea glass!

There were 6 of us and I think we all left with at least a zip-lock baggie full of glass!
In December I get to take two 50lb suitcases home with me... one just might be full of sea glass.

My stash!!
In the bottom of this bowl there are tons of small pieces that I plan on making some sort of mosaic out of !

Here are a few sea glass projects from pinterest that I'll be trying soon!

Source: bystephanielynn.com via Susie on Pinterest

Source: ecstasea-at-etsy.blogspot.com via Nikki on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Carrie on Pinterest

Source: masterpieceonanapkin.tumblr.com via Luinielle on Pinterest

Shell Earrings

There's not great tutorial on these earrings...
they're made of out 2 pieces of shell I've found on the beach with natural holes!  no work involved!
I simply tied a small piece of rope/twine through and strung them onto a earring hook.
I love them & the sounds they make when they clang together, kinda like my own personal wind chimes.  And I love the fact that they aren't perfectly symmetrical to one another and that there are slight variations in the color.

The earrings in action & an absolutely incredible sunset we were fortunate to witness!

I'm sure I'll have many, many more shell earrings to come.  My shell collection continues to  grow daily!!

AND exciting news!! remember when I got to do that modeling job up in St. Vincent and the Tobago Cays ?? Well my husband and I are currently spending 3 days on Grenada's sister island of Carriacou & a day trip to the Tobago Cays!!  I'm so excited! and I will have so many pictures to share when we return!
Perfect of picniking!! don't forget about the first link up going to start on Saturday!!

decorating with beach finds #4

I am constantly collecting shells here in Grenada.
but what do you do with them all? 
make art of course.

I started with another piece of wood I found on the side of the road (lots of wood lying around here evidently)

Then a collection of random shells in various sizes and colors

Then armed with a hot glue gun I created a heart out of the shells.

and finished it off with some twine wrapped around the edges to frame it.

it is not perfectly square and I like that about it, so I used to  twine border to emphasize it.


want some more shell projects?
shell windchime
shell display 
conch shell planters 

Linking up with :
The DIY Showoff
Craft Confessions 
Tip Junkie
Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug blessings 
Take a look Tuesday @ Sugar Bee Crafts
Funky Polkadot Giraffe 
Reasons to skip the housework
Coastal Charm 
Christina's Adventures

decorating with beach finds #3

At home (in America) I have a ton of plants.  I like to have my house full of plants and life and be able nurture something to see it grow... (since I don't have kids or pets I have plants?)

I've found a few plants here in Grenada that I can take clippings from and sprout roots. 
Last year I went cactus hunting and dug up a few little cacti (which are still alive!) you and read about that adventure on my other blog.
and I recently found some coleus' and some other purple plant... maybe you can help me identify it.

anyway. I decided that the array of conch shells I have collected would make great planters!
I think they look great on my porch :)

decorating with beach finds #2

One day exploring our neighborhood I found this old blue metal dish in a ditch.  I instantly grabbed it up and my husband told me to put it down, I wasn't bringing any more junk home, besides it was rusted and had a hole it in.
Oh ye of little vision.
It would obviously make for a perfect display of some of my favorite beach finds!
so glad I don't listen to him.

these are my newest finds of the week!! eeek! a tiny baby starfish. so sorry he died (I swear I found it dead) but won't he look beautiful somewhere in my house!

decorating with beach finds #1

I collect a lot of random shells and corals from the beach. 
& a lot of sea-finds have natural made holes in them already!

I made my mom a wind chime while she was here.
I made one for my mother-in-law for Christmas and I actually liked it better, but alas I forgot to take a picture.

I whipped this up in about 10 minutes as a surprise while my mom was in the shower, so it probably could have been better, but she loved it!

I'll have to make one for myself whenever I get my next stock pile of beach finds.

this was made with clear fishing line, random shells and corals, and large branch type thing (I'm not sure what it it, I found it on the beach, perhaps it was a sea fan or some other type of sea plant ?)

sea shells and  the coral pieces make such a beautiful sounds when clanked together!!