Beach Glass Season

Have you ever explored the shores of Lake Erie for beach glass? We have great beaches for finding these small treasures, sometimes called "mermaid's tears." Some people create beautiful jewelry and crafts using the glass. Others simply enjoy the thrill of the hunt. 

I fall into the latter group. Searching for beach glass is therapeutic. I can have long walks along the beach, with the sun and wind on my face. Listening to the rhythmic pounding of the waves, I look to find that special piece of glass. (If I am not careful I can get a sore neck!)

What captivates me about beach glass? Part of it is the wonder that nature turns garbage tossed into the lake and turns it into something of beauty. The movement of the waves and sand smooths the edges of the glass. Each piece has a history.

You can read this interesting article about sea glass. There is a beach in Fort Bragg, California, known as Glass Beach. Residents used to throw garbage over the cliffs. Eventually the process was stopped and nature turned that garbage into a beach that is covered in glass.

I recently read a Patch article on . It's a rare find because it was so expensive to make red glass due to gold that was added in the process. Modern processing no longer requires gold. Red glass could be from dinnerware, old tail lights, or possibly a Schlitz beer bottle.

I have been collecting beach glass for years. Last summer I took my family and my niece out and my niece found a piece of red glass! I explained the rarity of the find and she wanted to give it to me. Later, as we enjoyed a picnic lunch, my husband leaned back in the sand and discovered another piece of red glass!

So there's a bit of a thrill in the hunt for a piece of beach glass with an interesting history. There's the beauty formed from garbage. And there's the beauty of being by the shores of our wonderful Lake. Searching for beach glass is fun!

Do you have a favorite place to search for beach glass?