Love both parts of this, the fiction and the non. When I was younger, I was an avid shell collector, and I still have most of them. But I did begin to think about how that collecting impacted nature, not really reaching any conclusion. Now, I occasionally pick up a rock or stone that calls to me, but even then hesitant, not sure of the impact of taking nature's bounty from the shore line. Do you ever feel this?
Many thanks for this, Debs! I'm slow at catching up with comments and replies, but I'm getting there.
And yes! I do feel this! Sometimes I rarely pick up anything, other days I seem to want to collect a certain thing, often for a specific reason (I've made jewellery from shells of a certain kind, for example). I also sometimes see something and have to fight the urge to take it away, leaving it where it lay. I think much depends on my mood and, of course, the fact I have already collected jars of shells.
In Thailand, I left some stunning shells, as I simply wasn't sure of the legality of collecting them. It felt the right thing to do, too, I couldn't carry too much, after all. One beautiful nautilus I left on a tangle of driftwood, taking photos, then walking on. When I returned, it had been collected by some Russian tourists. I think there's some sort of lesson there?! Not sure what it is though!
loved wandering the beach with you. I used to collect seaglass with my 4 children on holidays in Cornwall. They were all educated at home and we used them for wonderful art projects. I visited Cornwall last year and found an artist working the blue and green chips into beautiful necklaces -- brought back lovely memories and gave one to my daughter who lives across many seas for Christmas.
This is a lovely comment, thank you! These little stories are what makes this space so special. I too have made jewellery from seaglass (and other things gathered on the beach), it is a lovely medium to work with and, as you say, makes excellent gifts, especially with the wonderful personal connection you mention. Do you know, I've never been to Cornwall? I've always wanted to, but never made it beyond the Exe. I know there were connections with Cornwall and Orkney, stretching back a long time, and I also think I'd love the coast and villages there so, one day, I'll have to rectify that.
Thanks again for your comment, I really appreciate it.
Thank you Max -- it was Cawsands where we used to collect glass but it was many years ago. It would be lovely to return some time. We're in Finistère now so will look for seaglass on the beaches here this summer.
Love both parts of this, the fiction and the non. When I was younger, I was an avid shell collector, and I still have most of them. But I did begin to think about how that collecting impacted nature, not really reaching any conclusion. Now, I occasionally pick up a rock or stone that calls to me, but even then hesitant, not sure of the impact of taking nature's bounty from the shore line. Do you ever feel this?
Many thanks for this, Debs! I'm slow at catching up with comments and replies, but I'm getting there.
And yes! I do feel this! Sometimes I rarely pick up anything, other days I seem to want to collect a certain thing, often for a specific reason (I've made jewellery from shells of a certain kind, for example). I also sometimes see something and have to fight the urge to take it away, leaving it where it lay. I think much depends on my mood and, of course, the fact I have already collected jars of shells.
In Thailand, I left some stunning shells, as I simply wasn't sure of the legality of collecting them. It felt the right thing to do, too, I couldn't carry too much, after all. One beautiful nautilus I left on a tangle of driftwood, taking photos, then walking on. When I returned, it had been collected by some Russian tourists. I think there's some sort of lesson there?! Not sure what it is though!
loved wandering the beach with you. I used to collect seaglass with my 4 children on holidays in Cornwall. They were all educated at home and we used them for wonderful art projects. I visited Cornwall last year and found an artist working the blue and green chips into beautiful necklaces -- brought back lovely memories and gave one to my daughter who lives across many seas for Christmas.
This is a lovely comment, thank you! These little stories are what makes this space so special. I too have made jewellery from seaglass (and other things gathered on the beach), it is a lovely medium to work with and, as you say, makes excellent gifts, especially with the wonderful personal connection you mention. Do you know, I've never been to Cornwall? I've always wanted to, but never made it beyond the Exe. I know there were connections with Cornwall and Orkney, stretching back a long time, and I also think I'd love the coast and villages there so, one day, I'll have to rectify that.
Thanks again for your comment, I really appreciate it.
Thank you Max -- it was Cawsands where we used to collect glass but it was many years ago. It would be lovely to return some time. We're in Finistère now so will look for seaglass on the beaches here this summer.