Monday, February 16, 2009

Sea Glass Beach



Across a big green golf course, down a sandy path, around the bushes, and finally down to the shore, we reach a beautiful secluded beach. We are two of only three people within a mile stretch of sand, accompanied by one other local old fisherman. Storm clouds in the hills contrast with the blue sunny sky shining over the ocean and David and I decide to go on an adventure to comb the beach and see what treasures this new land might hold.




Large slabs of aged dark black lava flow divide the sand from the waterline. Tidepools filled with purple coral and tiny fish are speckled throughout the valleys of the lava formations and small waterfalls flow as the small shorebreak washes in refilling the tidepools like Niagra. The sand is smooth with no footprints giving away the signs of others having been there. Grabbing a stick I dig the big letters, "Sea Babe," in the sand, figuring I had to seize the opportunity. As we make our way along the shore, we start to notice a few pieces of seaglass mixed in with the debris, and soon enough we're finding piece after piece of beautiful sea glass. Dark greens, brown, white, and my favorite, light blue pop out from the beige sandy shore and even hide just inside the waterline. We spend the next couple hours scouring the beach and even wading through the water for pieces we could possibly use in some jewelry and leave with great additions to our current collection. We've been back a few other times and call this spot our secret seaglass beach, for which we feel very blessed to have found.









After finding our seaglass, I wanted to get a little more informed so I checked out the North American Sea Glass Association online. I learned about the specific differences between
Genuine Sea Glass vs. Artificially Tumbled craft glass. Genuine Sea Glass originates from discarded bottles and tableware or glass from shipwrecks and household items lost in natural disasters. Here in Hawaii, the seaglass is mostly from beer bottles tossed in the water by fishermen. I found a ton of dark green seaglass and people do drink a lot of Heinekens here. Haha!

The rarest colors of seaglass are orange, red, yellow, cobalt blue, purple, turquoise, "black," and vaseline.

Genuine seaglass may have "C" shaped patterns on the surface.

Monday, February 2, 2009

There are many believed stories about how Valentine's Day came to be, but after reading a few versions, this one was my favorite...Supposedly a Christian martyr named St. Valentine was thrown in jail and while he was fulfilling his sentence he fell on love with the jailer's daughter. She would secretly come visit him in jail and the night before he was executed he wrote a love letter to her, in which he signed it, "From your Valentine," hence the idea of giving Valentine cards.

What would Valentine's Day be without a little romantic music? There are a lot of classics out there, but I put myself on the mission to find a wide range of Valentine's Day songs that caught my attention for one reason or another. So if you like playlists, this one goes out to all those lovebirds celebrating the day.

"Gimmie Love" Collie Buddz
"Love is the Drug" Roxy Music
"Love You Madly" Cake
"Love Song" 311
"Sugar, Sugar" Bob Marley & The Wailers
"Can't Get Enough of Your Love Babe" Barry White
"Don't Dream It's Over" Crowded House
"Crazy Love" Van Morrison
"Groovy Kind of Love" Phil Collins
"And I Love Him" LTJ X-Perience
"Light My Fire" Black Mighty Orchestra

Some nice things from a few of our friends. Sorry we couldn't fit everyone!



Who is Mitchell?




Mithell is the son of Gail of the Etsy Shop whatshername. Mitchell is a talented cardmaker with special abilities and disabilities. He absolutely loves Etsy hearts!

I am 26.
I live in N.C.
I like to watch movies,keeping up with birthdays(family,friends,&church),being with friends,walking,bowling,eating out,time on the computer and some TV.
My fav color is red.
My fav food is cheese burgers.
The next project is maybe some Easter cards and Mother's & Father's Day cards(as well as the birthday cards).
I like selling to different areas and being in treasuries on etsy.I also sold cards at our church craft show.
*He started out doing birthday cards as a hobby. He still sends to some of his friends at school and to alot of family members. His class at church sends them to all church memebers. (He doesn't make all of those cards. ;>)

Mitchell and Gail are true inspirations. Don't forget to give his cards a little love for Valentines day!



Coupled up? This year why don't you...

...greet them first thing in the morning with something special whether it's a handmade flower arrangement, coffee just the way they like it, or even an actual valentine-this will get the day off on the right foot.

...Each be on your best behavior. Everyone hates the Holiday drama!

...get them something specific they mentioned. This could be something they wouldn't splurge for themselves on, or even something simple that they need to pick up, like a new toothbrush.

...hold hands. If only for this day, it seems to bring two people together.