G'day!
How about a little beachy project? Golly. One that costs nothing. Works for me.
Though project conjures up all sorts of scenes of considerable schoolgirl effort, does it not and as usual here at the Beach Cottage, I gravitate to and scheme about ways in which to do things, with the least amount of human exertion.
~~~
I cannot resist candles, in the form of lantern, tealight or taper. I do then, at the moment, find myself mildly obsessed by them and I mean more preoccupied than I usually am, slotting them into just about every corner of the Beach Cottage and lighting them, Hoover in hand, as the sun goes down…
And what better than a candle, than a hurricane type candle holder filled with lovely little things, picked up and stuffed in pockets from a trip down the beach?
Inspired by the beach glass I gathered the other day on my secret, all alone, trip I decided I wanted it somewhere I would see it when I got home.
I love to collect sea glass on my beach combing and so do the kids, all of us hunting for the best find – for what the sea has cast up.
I love it when you spy something down there and bend down and pick it up, like some kinda affordable treasure. The searching as you walk along…following the tide line..wind on your face…I love the idea that it's been discarded, buffed and smoothed by the elements, washed up on the shoreline in a tangle of bits and then eagerly gathered up and very much given pride of place in a new home…
I love how the lifetime of tumbling gives it that soft, old, faded patina that I hanker after so much…right at home here with us.
So I poured my finds into these old jam jars (and now I find myself actively shopping for jars, regardless of the contents), topped with a tealight and added some string.
One I placed on the steps at the back alongside another lantern, the other one right near the front door…
see you soon girlies, I have something I just simply lurve to show you this week – involves the tiny Beach Cottage kitchen and a vintage whitewashed ladder…say no more
be good…
seashell painting, the lovely Gail McCormack
blogged for WFMW
What a gorgeous idea, and what a gorgeous blog. I could stay here for hours. I love the beach and we have so many shells, this is a wonderful way to show them off, and I love the photographs, they are stunning.
Karen
Sarah,
That looks gorgeous! Can’t wait to see your ladder.
I adore your style and am always amazed at how when I think of doing something it pops onto your blog. I told DH just LAST NIGHT that I wanted to build a ladder to make it all rustic. Great minds always think alike! Can’t wait to see your take on it.
Oh… have you stopped by lately? I found something that was inspired by you!
Love them! And I have some sea glass I have been wondering what to do with!
Great job! Perfect for your beach cottage style!
But I have enough beach glass and shells to make a hundred tea light holders! I have vases and vases full of beach glass.
I’m thinking more stained glass/tiffany style lamp! Now if I can only talk my husband into getting started on this project!
What a fabulous, simple idea. I’m going to steal it for sure!
Ooh, I’ve just done a little beachy mantlepiece display with souvenirs from the Med camping trip… I think one of those would finish it off nicely! Thanks for the idea.
Oh, it’s perfect! Love the found elements that get a polish from being combined… Lovely work
That is just beautiful! What a great idea. I’m going to play around with this idea today. Check my blog for beachcottage inspired pictures tomorrow!!
Thanks!!!
Mmm I love sea washed glass. We always collect pebbles and shells when we go to the sea so I’ll bear this in mind.
Mel xxx
PS a FREE treat is always treasure to me!
Love that look!!!!
m ^..^
It is pretty and as I say… cheap is good, free is better!
Robert wants to make a mosaic in some concrete out back, where he and his brother are at this minute hard at work in the East Texas heat setting huge poles in cement for my giant (or at least it’s beginning to look that way) pergola. He thought maybe he wanted sea glass in his mosaic design. But we had nowhere to look but to eBay, where of course it isn’t cheap. Too bad we can’t take a little walk down a beach and just pick some up, shining up at us in the sunlight, as you did.
Brenda
Great idea, Sarah, I shall have to try that. Hugs, Cindy S
Sea glass is one of my favorite things to collect! We used to gather it from the rocky shores of Catalina Island (in case you don’t know, it’s a small island off the coast of Southern California) where we spent many summers. I still have most of it, scattered here and there around the house.
Looks lovely as usual, Sarah! Can’t wait to see your kitchen!
Have a great day!
Smiles,
Rachel
Love the large jar on the floor – it really makes a statement in the most simplistic way. Beautiful job Sarah!
Can’t wait to see the Kitchen project.
Have a happy day.
Vicki
Such a simple, but COOL idea! I used to have loads of shells etc because we pick them up each time we are at my mum’s house, but in the various moves they’ve been discarded. When I’m over there in September, I’m going to be picking up a load more!! I’ve never found glass though, I don’t think. And I never see any driftwood, which is frustrating….
when i lived in California…i found and picked up sea glass along the shore. I love it…and it means something to me. I wish i could come take a walk with you and score some treasures! someday…
I love the first picture, with the combination of glass and shells… I am gonna collect some to put up in my new bedroom
Priceless! I have bowls of jam and marmalade decantered in the fridge because I can’t wait for the contents to get eaten before I use the jar. Then there’s the enormous jar of Spanish olives in the pantry. They are finding their way into almost every dish I cook in an effort to clear the gorgeous container as quickly as possible. There has been a mutiny though as apparently the addition of olives to spaghetti bolognese is foul so I’m going to make vast amounts of tapenade and freeze it because I can’t wait any longer.
Tragic isn’t it? x
Sarah, these are just lovely! If I lived near the beach, I’d have these all over my home.
I love them! – I’ve done similar with a few clear glass vases around the place (they don’t get to see flowers so much these days)
Hi Sarah; I just love how you display your lovely beachy finds… I love to walk the beach early in the morning a look for shells and what every catches my eye… I have not been able to do that for awhile now,,, so after reading your great post, I will have to get hubby to take me to the beach…. have a great week.
Hugs;
Alaura
Dear Sarah
I am from Germany and I love to read your blog. I linked it into mine so I always see if there are some news from you. You inspire me and now I have a lot of nice ideas for my new home which I will move in in some weeks.
Have a nice and sunny day!
Regards
Dany
Now here’s a passion we both share Sarah – candles. I love them too and really, how many are too many I ask you? I don’t have sea glass however, so will have to be on the lookout for that when I get to the beach.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne
I love a lit candle in the daylight. x
hello!!!
what a beautiful post. so happy to have found your lovely blog!!!
~erin
Candles and beach finds… my favorites. ANd as for your tiny kitchen project, please say MORE!
Terrific idea!
HI Sarah
Cute Idea. I love storing things in ordinary jars. I was just spying some jam in the fridge and thinking I wished the jar was empty.. hehe
Your blog is such a pleasurable place to visit! I feel calmer just from stopping by. I love, love, love sea glass and your little lanterns are just perfect!
Can’t even tell you how much I love sea glass. Great post!
?, Susan
Is that ever beautiful! Love it! =)
Beautiful!
Such a simple and beautiful idea. I love your blog and wish my home was as put together.
Samantha
Thanks for a great idea. After a day at the beach yesterday I came home and made one with shells and chunks of marble which washed up as we paddled. This being changeable Normandy, today I made a second one surrounded by acorns. From summer to Autumn overnight- just lke that!
I’ve linked to your Sea Glass Lantern from the Sea Glass Network. Lovely project. http://www.seaglassnets.com/2009/08/whos-chatting-about-sea-glass-in.html
Gail