From literal trash to treasure. A story!
When I started diving in Seattle, I also started a new hobby… beachcombing. Not for shells… those provide shelter for hermit crabs… but for trash.
The beaches around Seattle are full of them. Pieces of plastic, empty liquor and beer cans and bottles, fishing gear…..The number of vapes I’ve found are baffling.
Did I mention the booze? Seattlites be boozing.
However, sometimes I find things that are inspiring. Beach glass. Whole glass bottles with lovely patterns. Marbles in easter eggs.
Also once I did actually find treasure💰💍👑
Most of what I find goes in the trash. The other items I use to create something new.
Items such as my flower sculpture for PCC. Seen above with my friend Pony who commissioned this piece.
Because all the materials are sourced while diving or cleaning beaches, I wanted to give a sneak peak into the process.
Presenting… how it started!
🐚🎕Time to make a shell flower 🎕🐚
These marbles were collected on a dive. They had been taped inside a plastic easter egg… maybe for a scuba easter egg hunt?
This glass bottle I found while scuba diving at Redondo. Typically they’re already covered in barnacles or other life so I leave them. This one was clean so I snagged it!
These mussels were my dinner. They were then cleaned and coated with a thin layer of shea butter to bring out the rainbow iridescent. Pony also kindly donated a few open mussels that were destined for the compost. May as well use the shells！
The driftwood I found on a beach in Vashon Island. I sanded and stained it to ensure the wood would be long lasting and beautiful.
Add a little bit of spice… or glue and a lot of patience and poking…. And TA DA.
An ocean inspired sculpture made from all recycled, upcycled, and sustainably sourced materials.
Keep an eye out… there may be more flowers getting ready to bloom.
In the meantime.. onwards to the beach! Luck be with you and remember to sort your recycling ♻️
