Seeing Chesapeake Bay Through Frosted Glass

Sea Glass Hunt on the Chesapeake Bay

The beaches of the Northeast are well-known for their abundance of sea glass, especially around the Chesapeake Bay area. Become a beachcomber and join a guided sea glass hunt at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (600 Discovery Lane, Grasonville, Md.), about an hour from D.C.

Sea glass consists of remnants from old wine bottles, glassware and jars (you know, other people's litter) that make their way onto almost every coastline around the world. Natural sea glass is weathered and frosted by nature, leading to vibrant green, blue and purple glass creations.

What else can you think of that actually gets prettier as it's worn down? We're drawing a blank here.

Most collectors put the glass pieces on display in jars at their homes, while some create intricate jewelry to sell. There's even a Sea Glass Festival held every year for sea glass lovers to sell their art.

The guided hunt at the Environmental Center will take place Friday, March 9, on local public beaches, followed by dinner with author Richard LaMotte who will discuss the history of sea glass. The $75 price includes the guided hunt, dinner, and a copy of LaMotte's book, "Pure Sea Glass." Pre-registration is required; call 410-604-2100.

I may have mentioned it before, but Georgia and I collect sea glass on our beach walks in addition to fossils.  The bowl above is full of sea glass we have collected over the past year or two.  We have a friend who makes jewelry out of it, but we have vastly exceeded her market and or patience to make it, so now we're stockpiling it for the great sea glass drought to come...

We went to a lecture by LaMotte at Calvert Marine Museum last year (I was going to blog it, but forgot).  It was a decent way to spend a cold windy winter day, but I'd have gone fishing if it had been mild and calm...