The Sea Glass Shard of the Month: May 2016
Santa Cruz Sea Glass Mushroom
See MORE IMAGES
Sea Glass Specifications:
Color: Forrest Green & White
Max Length: 42.2 mm (1.66")
Max Diameter: 27.7 mm (1.09")
Weight: 30.7 grams (1.08 oz)
Estimated Age: 30 to 40 years old
With the Santa Cruz Sea Glass Festival nearly upon us (see sidebar for more information) it seems appropriate to feature a specimen found along that area. Due to the familiar shape of this green and white shard it is commonly referred to by the local collectors as a mushroom. It is a remnant trimming from a glassware creation by the Lundberg Studios in Davenport, California.
Other examples of art glass from the Lunberg Studios that have been transformed into sea glass.
LARGER IMAGE
Facts of Interest
The 2016 Santa Cruz Sea Glass & Ocean Art Festival is being held on November 8th & 9th. For up-to-date details and more info visit Sea Glass Festival.
Lundberg Studios is world known for creating an exquisite array of vases, scent bottles, paperweights and lighting.
For more information on the sea glass found in this area purchase the official Santa Cruz Sea Glass Book.
The Lundberg Studios, located in the quaint coastal town of Davenport, California, creates world-renowned fine art glass. As the story goes, in the early 1970s glass trimmings and end-of-day remnants were stored in bins behind the studios which was situated near the San Vincent Creek. During an early Spring thaw when waters from the mountains flooded the area these glass leftovers were carried off into the stream and eventually found their way into a large, cove-like area along the coast where [1] they were tumbled and frosted for decades by a constant and sometimes aggressive Pacific surf.
 |
...on average only one or two are found each year. |
 |
Krista Hammond, owner of Santa Cruz Sea Glass and author of the book "Santa Cruz Sea Glass" mentions that the mushroom-shaped shards are among the most commented-on pieces in her vast collection of sea glass from the area. Their unique shape is the result of a particular trimming technique in which the excess glass from the object being worked on was cut, or pinched off, by the artist. Mostly found with a green and white color combination they are also known to have been found in yellow or red but on average only one or two are found each year.[2]
For many years some of the most exotic and colorful sea glass in the world has been collected by the few locals aware that these unique glass gems were being deposited by the surf at this location. These days, depending on current and surf conditions, the ocean will reveal some of these beautiful treasures on the shore's edge and in the shallow waters in front of the breaking surf — but only intermittently, and without warning. If a beachcomber is fortunate enough to be present when this event occurs a colorful bauble can be snatched from the ocean before the currents and surf wrest its glass bounty back into the rough and cold waters of Northern California.
The difficulty and infrequent opportunities to collect this glass only adds to the mystique and beauty of Santa Cruz sea glass.
REFERENCES:
1. Hammond, Krista. (2012) Santa Cruz Sea Glass: the story behind the treasure Rogue Lion Press.
2. Ibid.
Keep up-to-date on all things sea glass... "Like Us" on Facebook!
Sea Glass Journal on Facebook
