Why Rincón?

Maybe it 's waking up to the sun rising over the ocean everyday.  Makes me so energized and happy.   And that feeling is contagious -- there is so much energy here! 

Rincón is a special place with a bunch of people marching to their own drum.   Around here, If you haven't found or seen or done something a little bit off-beat, then it hasn't been much of a day!

Probably best of all  - it is pretty wonderful that for alot of us, part of our job involves strolling on the beach, plucking materials to go to work with...  doesn't get much better than that!

So where does all that Rincon beach-combed sea glass go??
here!

Dead Man's Fingers

Along the shore, where others might see just a pile of dark and wet high-tide debris, I am drawn in for a better look. Up close, the heap reveals itself to be an assortment of sea and beach life - shells, crabs, pebbles, plants, sand ants, algae, leaves, bits of roots and bamboo... Most often I comb through this tangle searching for the colorful and luminescent chunks of rounded seaglass.

Yet, these remains of the ocean were so visually compelling; colorful, delicate and odd. Sea plants, rich in mythology, have long been given whimsical and romantic names; Dead Man's Fingers, Knotted Wrack, Mermaid's Locks, Boot Lace -- calling to mind everything from water nymphs to a brave ship captain lost at sea. Handling the seaweeds to examine and admire their minute details caused their delicate and fragile structure to crumble. So I began exploring ways to highlight and preserve the lacy tendrils and beautiful organic forms.



Using a molding compound, I created multidimensional impressions of the coral and fibrous algaes. The texture of the uncured compound allowed me to fully imbed the tiny plants, without breaking them. With the molds cured, I created silver replicas, capturing the true scale and accurate details. The lacy fronds of some seaweeds were too fine and thread-like to make a mold. To capture theses fronds, I rolled each onto fine silver clay. Then I re-etched the precise lines using an engraving tool, leaving behind a true representation of the original plant.

The final silver creations are formed into shapes, polished and drilled for use as a pendant. The crowning jewel, of course, is a glowing gem of natural seaglass. The pendants possess the simplicity and the complexity of the ocean and each is completely unique.






Residuos Marinos

A la orilla del mar, donde alguna gente puede ver tan sólo una pila de residuos marinos, oscuros y mojados, yo me siento atraída y la miro más cercano con detenimiento. Me cuando aceco puedo ver una amalgama de organismos del mar. Caracoles, cangrejos, piedras, plantas, hormigas de arena, algas, hojas, raíces y bambú. Usualmente busco coloridos y luminiscentes trozos de vidrios de mar perfectamente pulidos.

Sin embargo, estos residuos del mar son igualmente interesantes y merecedores de mi atención. Los al a tocar residuos marinos para examinar y admirar sus detalles delicados, fragiles y deteriorados, comienzo a estudiar métodos de exploración para destacar y preservar las lianas marinas y sus formas naturales hermosas.

Usando un compuesto especial para la fabricación de moldes, hago impresiones multidimensionales de corales y algas fibrosas. La textura del compuesto blando me permite imprimir completamente las corales diminutos, sin romper los. Cuando los moldes se secan, obtengo réplicas de plata sólido, capturando la escala real y sus detalles. Plantas algunas marinas son muy fragiles para hacer un molde. En este caso, imprimo los residuos marinos directamentsen la arcilla de plata. Luego dibujo las líneas exactas usando un instrumento de grabado haciendo una representación verdadera de la planta original.

Las creaciones de plata fina terminadas son diseñades, pulidas, perforados para utilizar como un pendiente collar. El toque final es una gema vidrio de mar brillante que refleja la simplicidad y de la complejidad del océano, cada pieza de arte es única.

Translations by Magha
Muchísimas gracias!
(any errors the responsibility of oceano)

~

O to the C

To be honest, there are days I wish I had fallen madly in creative love with gemstones or beads or paper clips. Something with the promise of uniformity, relatedness or the availability to be ordered up in perfect sets of two. Seaglass comes to you randomly and utterly without organization. The protracted process of getting seaglass readied for jewelry is washing, then wrangling imperfects, then sorting by color on a big covered table.

Spread out like a rainy day game, anyone passing by is invited, ne encouraged, to make observations and arrange the seaglass pieces. So as to pique interest and not overwhelm visitors unaccustomed to the ritual, I might purposely select less abundant secondary colors; “funny blueish-greens” or “not quite whites”. Plastic bins once containing pre-washed spinach now elevated to holding seaglass are hauled down from the shelf and dumped on a white towel. Good light is crucial, but sometimes a special calibration of coffee and rum can aid color perception and lend a festive air to the proceedings.

Winter-escapees visiting us during high season sometimes develop a fixation and keep sorting well after the sun has begun to set, secretly guaranteeing themselves return use of the guest room. If they ask whether obsessive compulsive disorder is contagious, I just smile and spill out another container of seaglass.

“More ice in your drink?” I ask.


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Naked Beach

This weekend the moon obliged with a special trick. December 12 marked a Perigean Tide; when the moon is at its perigee (or closest to the Earth), and the gravitational forces of the sun and moon complement each other. Creating the greatest tidal range possible, Perigean high tides combined with strong winds can result in flooding. But the low tides are bewitching - - - pulling the ocean away from the beach's edge so its shells, seaglass, bits of coral and reef life are casually revealed. This oceanic striptease makes the alluring treasures all the more tantalizing.

Here in Puerto Rico, many beaches have long been considered mecca for seaglass hunters, and I am lucky enough to live in proximity to some of the best. Seaglass from the Western side of the island is prized not only for its especially well worn shapes and gem-like colors, but its age and links to history. Legends of pirates and sunken ships abound.

Customarily, a low tide brings out droves of seaglass hunters: both casual beachcombers and professional "pickers". On Saturday, thanks to a driving rain, my favorite stretch of seaglass gathering beach was blissfully vacant. Leaving me to merrily splash about in a shallow, slightly murky pool of swirling ebbing salt water. Squinting for the tell-tale glint of surface frosting or a bright flash of color against the beige sand and dark grey pebbles. Intent on the mission, dripping wet, pockets full.


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Tidings

I love the hunt and gather side of making seaglass jewelry. It is contemplative and meandering. I often come up with my best design ideas while wandering around the tidal pools; nudging shells aside while keeping a watchful eye for sea urchin spikes. I never really thought of seaglass gathering to be a group activity.

Until Lily.

Friendly, loyal, super cute and a lover of shallow water. She is our newly adopted “sato” (or street-dog) and the beach is her true home. Though she gets a run of some miles every morning, she will not abide being left behind if there is an excursion to be had. Precious time spent finding and fixing small fencing gaps proves utterly futile. She can hear the gate creaking shut from across the property. Next thing you know -- you’ve got company. We often compete to get to the same sand puddle first. Guess who always wins?

The approach of Christmas has me feeling indebted for our health and happiness. I am especially grateful for simple delights. My daughter’s silly giggle, the twinkle of holiday lights, walks on the beach and a new furry friend to share it with.

I wish laughter, warmth and light to all.


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