Beach-Combing

Materials: wire cutters, rounded pliers, wire in gauge of your choice and sea glass

So, recently I have been haunting local beaches for some inexpensive project materials.  While you may be thinking sea shells or pretty rocks, I've actually been scouting for some trash. Glass, to be more specific.  Any shoreline that has a good supply of pebbles or shells, will most likely also have a supply of glass that has been tumbled in the water.  The best pieces for jewelry are those that are frosty looking and have rounded edges.  The more rough pieces can still be used though.  Sea glass can also make for some gorgeous mosaics.

If you'd like to go the jewelry route, pendants can be made with very few materials (you know it's four if you looked at the photo above :) You may already have a pair of wire cutters around the house.  If you opt for thin wire (which I don't recommend for larger pieces of glass), you may also be able to use a pair of scissors.  Rounded pliers can be picked up at your local craft store for a few bucks.  A.C. Moore has a kit that includes three pairs of pliers for less than five dollars: http://www.acmoore.com/p-29076-pliers-mini-tool-set-3-pieces.aspx.Wire can also be found at your local craft store, and depending on gauge and color, can also be very affordable: http://www.acmoore.com/p-30531-stringing-wire-7-strand-01538mm-diameter-30ftspool-craft-seriesblack.aspx.

More patience and determination will be required to get the last material, the sea glass.  Be prepared for a few hours of finding nothing or only mosaic-quality pieces before you come across a piece that will work for jewelry.  Once you have your coveted piece, use the wire to create a design of your choice.  There are many good tutorials available if you aren't familiar with pendant-making.  http://www.deviantart.com has galleries filled by very talented jewelers and also has a few tutorials for the novice.

Some wire wrapping tutorials:
http://szilviabead.deviantart.com/art/wirewrapped-pendant-tutorial-120970398
http://glitterglowbeading.com/?page_id=382

For some more info on sea glass and collection, as well as some links to purchase sea glass if you are not big on collecting it yourself, visit The North American Sea Glass Association:
http://www.seaglassassociation.org/index.html

My first sea glass pendant

glass mosaic