We are in the midst of our week away on Martha's Vineyard. The weather has been picture perfect and looks like it will continue that way for the rest of our stay on the island. At the moment, John and Jacob are off doing some night fishing on Chappaquiddick. Hannah and I are at our rental house relaxing after a fun-filled day.

The pleasantly warm and sunny days have enabled us to spend lots of time at the Atlantic Ocean. I have been taking my morning walks on the sand and have also enjoyed one of my favorite vacation activities -- beach combing. At home, I have a collection of gifts from the sea consisting of beach glass and sea shells.

For example, in our upstairs hall bath, you'll find some of the shells that have found their way into our pockets from vacations past. I like to store them in old blue glass mason jars.

I found this whimsical sea glass mermaid many years ago at a store right here on Martha's Vineyard. At that time, I had been making a variety of wired beach glass creations myself. I knew how difficult these pieces were to make and was particularly impressed with this charming mermaid.

More of my sea shell collection can be found gathered together in an old green pottery bowl in our screened porch.

As you can see, I have several hundred pieces of sea glass. Most were found locally over a number of years at the beach in Rowayton down the street from our house. For a while, I enjoyed making things with these finds, such as wired sea glass fish and stars. I wish I had a photo of one of the fish to show you, but I either sold them or gave them to friends as gifts. But I do have one last star I made which hangs in the window of my studio.

I also still have one of my more ambitious projects -- a sea glass lamp shade.

Hand made from chicken wire, copper wire and authentic beach glass in shades of green, white and brown, I crafted this piece using over 40 pieces of glass found on the shores of Long Island Sound in Connecticut.

Perfect for cottage or cabin decor, you can now find this rustic shade for sale in my Etsy shop HERE.

It's getting late -- time to turn in for the day. We'll be up bright and early tomorrow to head "up-island" to the MV farmer's market. Then we will be off to spend the day in Menemsha, a lovely little fishing village with a few shops, eateries and a pretty beach. Perhaps we'll find more gifts from the sea on the sands of Menemsha Beach.
I will share much more from our week away with you once we are back home. Until then . . .
Susan
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