They may not be gold nuggets, but it is still treasure.

You probably have similar memories walking down a shoreline. I have taken many long walks on the edges of waves coming and going, leaving frothy deposits in the sand. Thailand, Bali, Bermuda, Mexico, Hawaii, Florida, Bahamas, North & South Carolina, and Georgia are a just a few of the beaches I have traversed. Lately though, the Jersey Shore has been my main beach destination during the summer months.

After purchasing a pass to one of many beaches here in NJ, I park my car and with beach chairs, umbrella, towels and sun lotion in tow, and search for the perfect location in the sand to take ownership for the day. With a view of the sky and rolling waves, my friends and I would go for a dip in the water and we would get pummeled by the waves, then return to our blankets and towels soaking wet to quickly dry under the beaming sun. Eventually, we would decide to take a walk along the shore. As we would sink our feet into the wet sand adding our footprints to the mix, the sound of waves crashing on the shore would calm our nerves and the hot sun would tan and burn our skin. The retreating waves would reveal aquatic remains such as crab shells, seaweed, a shark tooth and many many broken worn shells. This is treasure to our eyes. There is nothing like finding a shiny piece of shell, it’s shape, color and shine catching our eyes. We would pick up the treasure and put it into a bag if had, or just hold it in our hands. At the end of the day departing, we would pack up our beach items and the treasures would be carried home and added to our collections of other faded found treasure.

The washed out worn shells are only suggestions of what they once were underneath the deep sea. They have become broken memories reinvented. What does one do with all these faded out remnants? Make mirrors, put them in the garden? One day I got an idea. Silver wire, a hammer and an anvil is all I would need to wrap one of these found shapes. Something worn, textured and imperfect suddenly becomes special and treasured when its surrounded thoughtfully and expressively with silver hammered wire. To return the aquatic shine, I glazed the shells which added more mystery. People ask, “What is it? It looks interesting.” It takes a moment to figure out what they are. I like that. I like that they draw you in and make you wonder. Its like walking along the shore and finding treasure.

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Please visit my new portfolio page:  DBee’s Found Treasure Pendants to view more pendants for sale. I am also taking commissions.