FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do you make your art?
I create original artwork using sea glass, shells, and other items I find on the beach as my "paint." After creating a sea glass design, I photograph it with a high-resolution digital camera using professional lighting. I then either attach the glass to a thick paper background, frame the piece, and sell it as a sea glass art original, or I "erase" the design and put the sea glass back in jars to use in future artwork. I create all my designs in my studio in Santa Cruz County, California.
How do you make your products?
I design all my cards, stickers, and packaging on my computer using Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop. I print my greeting cards on a high-resolution laser printer, then hand-fold and package them. I use professional printers to print stickers, art prints, pads, pens, coasters, fabrics, and more. I create all my sea glass jewelry and sea glass art originals by hand in my studio.
What is sea glass?
Beaches have a colorful history, featuring pirates, whaling outposts, and bustling resort towns. Many of the items used by the people living by the shore—bottles, plates, jugs, and metal items—ended up in seas, oceans, lakes, and rivers, where they were tumbled and smoothed by the water over the years. The resulting soft-edged, smooth glass is called sea glass or beach glass. No two pieces of sea glass or sea pottery are alike, as they came from different sources and have been washed by the tides until they became frosted and smooth.
Where do you find your sea glass?
I find most of my sea glass, sea pottery, sea shells, beach stones, and fossils on the beaches in California, Santa Cruz County, Monterey County, and Mendocino County. I also have a some pieces from Hawaii, the Great Lakes, and Scotland. All of the items in my shop were made with sea glass found by me, my family members, friends, or trusted sea glass sellers. These are all authentic, surf-smoothed pieces of beach glass, frosted with tumble marks, etched by the sea.
Can I order a custom piece?
I love custom orders! If you have an idea for a mosaic you'd like me to make, if you like one of my designs but want it a different size or with a different message, if you want a piece of jewelry with a custom combination, or if you have another idea, just contact me and I'll let you know if I can help you. I'd love to help make something just for you.
Can I pick up my order in person?
Yes! Contact me before you complete your purchase and I will send you a coupon code for free shipping. After you order, we can arrange for you to pick up your items somewhere in the Santa Cruz area.
How can I keep up with the latest Etched by the Sea sea glass products and designs?
I share photos and videos on Instagram and Facebook. I keep everything that I create updated with the latest information here in my shop. To be the first to hear about new products and get special subscriber-only offers, please join my email list at http://bit.ly/mermaidemail.
Wholesale availability
Greeting cards, art prints, stickers, magnets, books, and more are available for wholesale. Please contact me about any items you are interested in carrying in your shop! Thanks!