Hidden between the sand and broken shells of Lake Erie’s beaches lies beach glass, small, multi-colored treasures created by decades of tumbling water. These gems can be gingerly collected and turned to art in a variety of mediums. From night lights to bracelets to mermaid murals, five local artists across Northeast Ohio have found their outlet and made this treasure their own.
Jennifer Brewster: CLakeErie Beach Glass Art
Digging through bins full of Lake Erie’s gems, like a child searching for the perfect Lego, Jennifer Brewster practices patience when searching for a stone that fits her art like Cinderella’s slipper.
“I’m like, ‘This is how it was given to me; I have to use it that way.’ I won’t mess with it at all,” Brewster says.
From night lights to ornaments, Brewster shows that her range for creating art is as diverse as the gems she finds on Lake Erie’s shores. facebook.com
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Elizabeth Jones: Liz’s Sea Glass Art
When Elizabeth Jones is done layering multi-colored beach glass for the tail of her latest mermaid piece, she’ll place a small pink ribbon next to her name to remind women to get their mammograms done. Jones, who was diagnosed with breast cancer over nine years ago, uses her art as a form of therapy.
“The doctor told me, ‘You’re gonna be out of commission,’” Jones says. “And she goes, ‘You have to learn to do something with your hands, just so you can make it through this.’” facebook.com
Laurie Shand: Corner of My Heart
“I knew whatever I did was going to be from my heart, and it was going to be inspired from things that resonate with me, that felt right to me,” Laurie Shand says. “I want to be true to myself, true to my heart, true to what I believe. And then I knew that everything else would fall into place.”
Using mixed media to create art reflective of the nature found in Northeast Ohio, Shand’s work has taught her to be present and see what could have been easily overlooked when dealing with the heavy stresses of life. 9332 Lakeview Drive, Olmsted Falls, cornerofmyheart.net
Chris Keener: Crystal Moon Designs
Chris Keener’s journey to artistry began by accident, after a group of women noticed a bracelet she had created for herself out of beach glass.
Keener, who has spent over 50 years collecting beach glass, says she “always found the colors and the shapes so interesting.” “To me, it was like collecting gemstones,” she says.
She takes the “gems'' she finds from Lake Erie and turns them into intricately designed bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Her jewelry making has helped her realize that she never stops learning. 4716 Surfside Drive, Huron, crystalmoondesigns.com
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Amy Lauria: Amy Lauria Salvage Artist
Whether it be a cross for a wedding, or Cleveland memorabilia for those who have moved away, Amy Lauria has you covered. Lauria takes what others might deem as “garbage”, such as twisted metals from old ships or parts of broken vases, and uses them to create a wide variety of art.
“I always joke that I'll die before I could ever make all the art that can be made from what washes up ashore,” Lauria says. amylauria.com
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