A Sea Glass Jewelry Journey
by Christeena Hockin-Minopetros
(Florida Keys/Greek Islands)
A bracelet with my signature fish head bead and blue sea glass
Sea glass, beach glass, mermaid's tears - these are names I have heard and used through the years for the tumbled gems found on shorelines all over the world. Sea Glass is any glass element that has been thrown or has landed in the sea and then is naturally tumbled by waves, sand and currents.
Most people keep them in jars, bottles or bowls to be admired along with other sea finds such as shells, driftwood etc.
I was one of these collectors for years as I have always lived by the sea in NJ.
Eight years ago I changed my life, including my career as a long time floral designer, and moved to the Greek Islands - and discovered sea glass all over again.
Through a series of events that I was literally caught in the waves of life I have become a sea glass jewelry designer.
We now spend our summers in Greece as my husband is a professional sailing captain, this time gives me the luxury to collect my gems traveling from island to island. Our winters are spent in the Florida Keys where I have my jewelry studio on a veranda by the sea.
We never alter our sea glass, only to drill a hole so I can hand wire every piece. I am using sterling silver, gold and have incorporated other gems with the sea glass such as turquoise, amber and coral. My signature piece is a sterling fish head bead that I drew and own the mold to.
Sea Glass has really taken me on a journey, so much that this January I released by first book, that I photographed, wrote and published: Sea Glass - A Photographic Journey.
To this day I am still amazed at each piece of sea glass that I find, my mind imagining how I will use it in my jewelry designs even as I am on the beach collecting.
For me as a sea lover it's almost medicinal to have a piece of the sea with me all the time in the form of a necklace, bracelet or earrings.
Enjoy The Journey!
Christeena Hockin-Minopetros
Sea Glass Jewels and Company
