We ended up donating most of the collection to the San Diego LGBT Community Center for their fund-raising auctions. So, not a retirement investment but at least it wasn't a waste of time. We enjoyed collecting it and when we were through it was put to good use.
But now that we're settled (we've been in Spain 2 years and 8 months and in Fuengirola 1 year and 2 months. Could this be stability?), I've decided to start collecting glass again. Before our contemporary art glass collection, I had quite a variety of this glass. As before, I'm sticking to what I can afford. No Dale Chilhully or Ira Sapir originals for me. I'm back to combing the beach.
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| SEA GLASS... MY NEW RETIREMENT INVESTMENT. (CLICK ANY IMAGE TO SEE THE MAGNIFICENCE.) |
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| CARRYING MY CAMERA WAS NOT THE BEST IDEA TODAY. (I HAD TO SACRIFICE SOME 'FINE' PIECES TO THE SURF.) |
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| DISPLAYED IN A QUALITY (REALLY) CRYSTAL BOWL. |
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| MATT AND LINDY FOUND THE FIRST PIECE OF AMBER FOR ME LAST WEEK AND I FOUND ANOTHER TODAY. |
I love how the ocean has softened the edges to make these bits of glass look like gems. Someone should design a necklace from these treasures.
ReplyDeleteStephen:
DeleteI just love seeing them filling a bowl, but a lot of people do make jewelry.
This is a very addictive pass time Mitch.....Jim and I combed our beaches for 3 solid summers after Jim's concussion because it was pretty much all he could handle. Finding numerous colours always on the look for cobalt blue, red and orange! We have some for you if you want us to send to send some over.
ReplyDeleteJim just found the green glass stopper to a bottle this week at the park. It is sitting proudly on our kitchen glass shelf catching the morning rays!
Thanks for sharing and get out there and search for more!
Ron
Ron:
DeleteI had a huge bowl full of sea glass that I finally ditched in one of our moves. I would LOVE to find blue, red, and orange. So far only clear (smokey), amber, brown, and green. Great therapy!
I don't think so collecting glass is an invesrtment but definitely it's a great pastime.
ReplyDeleteGosia:
DeleteCollecting contemporary art glass wasn't much of an investment. Sea glass is much better. It's free.
OH OH! Sounds like you may be hooked!
ReplyDeleteAs Ron said above this was my/our focus a few years ago and we have 'tons' of it now. It can become quite addictive but in the best of ways.
Ask the locals where the best can be found.....usually around ancient 'dump sites' there is a treasure trove of sea-tumbled frosted glass.
Can't wait to hit the beaches this summer again. Have fun Mitchell.
Jim:
DeleteAbsolutely hooked. Picked up more today.
The sales people told you it would be a good investment. No surprise there, I guess. I like coloured glass very much. We have a few pieces but only one expensive piece.
ReplyDeleteAndrew:
DeleteWe kept one piece for ourselves. I'm sure it will be worth millions some day... or maybe hundreds.
Oh, that is such great-looking sea glass! It's cool that there is that much to run across. I don't remember seeing much the last years that I got to go to the (NJ) shore with any frequency. It looks great in that bowl.
ReplyDeleteJudy:
DeleteThe last collection was in a huge Japanese pottery bowl. I like it even better in the crystal.
Ohhhh.... amber! Does it have any insects in it? About the only glass we found along the beaches in Costa Rica was broken Imperial beer bottles..... rats!
ReplyDeleteSharon:
DeleteThe beaches are so well-maintained here that the only glass I find has been seriously pounded by the sea... My aunt has a bunch of amber jewelry with insects included; I guess hers isn't glass.
Beautiful sea glass, and the best kind of investment - something that costs nothing and bring you and others happiness.
ReplyDeleteKristi:
DeleteYou CAN get something for nothing.
Did you ever go to Glass Beach (up near Mendocino) when you lived in SF? You can find many an ocean-polished treasure there. It's been, of course, ages since I've been, but your post reminded me of it and the fun we had picking through all the colors.
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteWe never did get to Glass Beach.
You have glass, I have rocks. I have rocks from as far away as Africa. I keep them in bowls all over our home and in my garden. Not as pretty as your collection though....
ReplyDeleteMaria:
DeleteMy parents were rock hounds and my mother still has tons (well, not literally) of things they found and bought. Some fascinating and beautiful stones.
I also collect beach-worn broken glass. They look like primordial gummi-bears.
ReplyDeleteSpo:
DeleteAnd now I'm craving gummi-bears.
Seaglass, I love seaglass!
ReplyDeleteKnatolee:
DeleteI'm hooked ... again! My "collection" has tripled in size. I'm about to move it to a crystal vase for better visibility!