It’s half term, and I’ve promised the children a trip to the beach sometime this week, so I’m desperately hoping that the weather picks up … not that there’s anything inherently wrong with a windy, rainswept beach, but it is more fun when the sun’s shining if what you want is sandcastles and paddling, rather than atmospheric walks.
Anyway, all of that is just an excuse to share some of my favourite beach-themed treasures from around the crafting interverse – no kiss-me-quick hats here, I promise!
This gorgeous lampstand by Trucmuche (French for thingummajig) is fashioned from salvaged seaglass, shells and bones. I think it’s absolutely glorious …. I love the different colours and textures, and the histories of those washed up, tumbled over pieces that have come together into a wonderful new life. There are more of these unique, decorative and practical objects handcrafted from materials collected on the north east coastline over at his Folksy shop.
Laura Cameron is a Scottish based jewellery designer, photographer and artist, and I adore her jewellery – made from recycled silver, sea glass, and sea pottery. I love this ring – a silver wrapped fragment of willow pattern:
Whilst not, strictly speaking, seaside related, I’m including this vintage clutch on the grounds that it is covered in a swirling pattern of faux seed pearls, and has a mother-of-pearl clasp. It’s utterly adorable, and is one of several vintage beaded clutches available at Resurrection Rags – recycled vintage style on Artfire.
And whilst a windswept beach isn’t what the children want, it’s still one of my favourite things in the world, which is why I love this print by Soulful Stuff on Artfire:
This is more what we’re after … even if these beaches are in Australia!! Gorgeous images from Hey Harriet (who also happens to organise the very wonderful Shadow Shot Sunday photograph collection) … the graininess of these images reminds me of my childhood holidays on the beach at Llangranog in Wales …. strange that I remember the sun as always shining, though I’m sure that, given it was Wales, it must have rained a fair amount of the time …
These vans are irrevocably associated with beaches in my mind … both my brother and sister have one, and only my resolute refusal to travel so precariously (they always seem to be breaking down) holds me back from joining the cool club. Oh yeah, and although slow travel is all very well, if I’m going somewhere, I generally like to get there before it’s time to turn around and come home again 
Anyway, I thoroughly approve of this one by Not Just Handbags
A seaside themed treasure hunt wouldn’t be complete without a nautical nod, and I just love this door-stop fender in traditional ropework, by Nick Hill
Still on the theme of things nautical, and harking back to my childhood again, remembering sailing trips with my father, it just didn’t seem right not to include a model of a boat … but this isn’t your traditional wood-and-paper deal (beautiful though they are) … this one is a stained glass wonder in turquoise from Glassquirks.
And, just to round things off with a little bit of a sparkle …
One of Rock Your Belly’s totally scrumptious belly rings … this one’s called Caribbean Sea and is just divine – that blue just makes you want to dive straight in. I know belly rings aren’t everyone’s thing, but I’ve got a couple of Darcey’s pieces, and they are simply wonderful.
Now I feel properly piratey, so I’m off for a tot of rum and to swash my buckles. Arrrrrrr matey!
