I have always only used shells for jewelry making, but a clerk at a cute retail store in Frisco showed me her stash of sea glass when I was shopping there recently. She works on her jewelry when the store is quiet and showed me some of her creations. She simply uses a Dremel tool to make the hole to string the glass and mineral oils the pieces. Definitely a craft to keep me busy this winter. They were very pretty. I just bring my sea glass home and throw it in these clear bricks. I'm sure every man that is reading this now is saying, "Hey, I got my Dremel tool and I'll do that too!"
The blue pieces are beautiful. I haven't found any yet.
@BentMtn I have drilled glass and ceramic... you need to submerge the pieces in water. Not deep, but just enough to cover. Otherwise the heat of the bit can crack the glass. Dremel makes an extension so you don't get a shock from getting the Dremel wet. https://shop.dremel.com/products/dremel-flex-shaft-225-02
@BentMtn 😂 👌::flag-us:: u never fail to amaze me !
@BentMtn I have a dremel, but what I'd use is my drill press. Much more controlled and precise! 🤣
@Bentmtn You know, I was kidding, but then I found this. 🤣 https://shop.dremel.com/products/dremel-220-01-workstation%E2%84%A2
@Greg What he said. I've always used a light oil. But that might change the color of sea glass. For sure bust a Coke bottle on a rock and spear mint before trying on the good stuff. And get these... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B78G22YQ?th=1
Thanks, guys, for the links on tools to use and the tips on cutting under water and oil used. All I have is a small cheapy Dremel tool kit I bought at Harbor Freight in a plastic box with several drill heads, etc. that I use on the shells; mostly scallop shells. Nothing fancy! Yep, don't want to break the harder to find stuff and I will spearmint with a co cola bottle. Ha! (we'll see) And I'm a clutz (sp) sometimes so the gloves should protect. This lady had some really pretty bracelets that she's been making for years. Maybe with the right stuff, I can too.
@SassyGirl - Yep! So hard to find. I have maybe five cobalt blue ones and half of them came from Lake Michigan....old Noxema bottle pieces perhaps from garbage thrown into the lake years ago when garbage was discarded incorrectly. I do however have several aqua ones and amazingly found a perfect red one in February 2025 on HI. Only red ever found. Posted it on the old OBC and Miss Tilly said it was meant to be found at that time for me. Miss that great lady that had/has a heart of gold.
@BentMtn wow it comes from an old Noxema bottle? What a cool .story. During Covid, I found a large piece of brown glass that was an old Clorox bottle on HI - lol the irony.
@SassyGirl - I have read that many of the cobalt blue pieces could come from those old Noxema bottles. No markings on the very few pieces I own, though. Cool on the brown piece you found! You need to post some of yours. I would love to see them! It's fun to think where this glass began and the history intrigues me. Attached a bit of info....I gotta get a life!