Sea Glass & Reading . . . ?

How is it possible to connect these two interests (not obsessions, honest)?

Easy, just take some silverplated copper wire and a few pieces of Mersea Sea Glass and a few bookmarks and get wrapping.

These pieces of Mersea Sea glass were given to me by Juliet Doyle and I won't spoil the beginning - you are going to have to read her blog to get the back story. You will enjoy it, I assure you. The writing is always excellent, the subject matter interesting and unexpected with many delightful detours into other worlds.

Of course, I have a few more still waiting to be attached to book marks or perhaps bag clips.

Do you use bookmarks?

I have to admit, I am a bit naughty and often just leave the book open on the page I stopped at! I can hear the shocked gasps. I know it really isn't good to leave books in that position.


Why not use them as pendants?

I chose these pieces to use for bookmarks (bag clips or key rings) as the pieces didn't seem particularly suitable for pendants. I could probably recreate the wrapping in sterling silver but it would have to be 18g wire which would add quite a bit of cost to the pendant. Also the hanging loop would not be hidden or particularly attractive. Anyway it is always good to practice with copper craft wire silverplated or not. Practice is what improves your 'eye' and your technique.

Beaders will bead anything that doesn't move very fast!


Suncatchers, Moneyclips, Key rings, Bag Clips, Mobile phone loops all sorts.


If you don't already know it yet, you soon will: beaders will attempt to bead just about anything. I certainly have attached beads and dangles to all sorts. We will of course spare 'cs' any blushes by posting a pic ; ) Only kidding, of course. The doggerelist is a non-bead kind of a guy. He is totally immune to offers of having anything beaded made for him.

There are of course plenty of examples of manly beaded creations. In fact, I would be willing to wager that the first pieces of jewellery created were worn by men. If you look at many of the traditional tribal groups in the world you will see that the menfolk wear 'necklaces', 'torques' and 'arm bands'. Some of it is very colourful stuff as well.

Back to Bookmarks - Pics explained

The short clips are ones that have been posted on this blog before and feature artisan made glass beads and wonderful enamelled charms.



The Suncatchers have been rejuvenated with the addition of key charms and concentrating the impact by reducing the number of dangles and beads. The middle suncatcher features a proper stained glass square painted by my tutor Claire. I am hoping one day to get a kiln so I too can paint on glass.


Which bookmark style is best?


It depends on your views of how you like to use them. The clips are quite compact and bijou. The clip itself is quite powerful so you need to be careful when you slip it over the pages that you don't rip them.

The longer bookmarks come in a few styles. The one shown here is a less expensive version of the gorgeous pewter bookmarks you can get these days. I am considering getting a few of these for the remaining sea glass dangles. One design is 'books' and another is 'sea life'. I have used the 'celtic' design and the 'cats' design in the past. There is a nice range of designs in this pewter series - dogs, dragons, shoes, dolphins, horses to name a few more.

Another design of longer bookmarks are quite plain and flat. These I think are very low impact on the books but obviously not as decorative. There is also a shorter 'squiggle' type available.

This last image is of a book clip I call 'ChickLit' .

As promised, bookmarks with a twist. Now off to try and make a decision about what style of bookmarks will look best with some genuine Mersea Sea Glass.