Sponsored Post
Featured Image: Cape May Glass Company
~Jacques Yves Cousteau
Artist: Avalonia Jewelry
Set against the backdrop of a beautifully restored 1800s village at Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May, New Jersey, this two-day festival features engaging sea glass lectures, live music, contests, and demonstrations. Connect with fellow collectors from the sea glass community as they share their expertise and collections with you. And, of course, shop with Mom for a treasure from the sea–unique and perfectly crafted just for her. So dreamy we can hardly wait!
One-on-One with Festival Founder, Jewelry Designer & Badass Jersey Mermaid Suzanne Hunter
AroundMainLine: What is sea glass?
Suzanne Hunter: Sea glass, or beach glass, is glass (or sometimes pottery) that has been discarded in one way or another in our oceans, bays or rivers and tumbled for generations to become smooth and worn–and significantly frosted. The frosting of the sea glass tells a story of a most mysterious life at sea only it knows!
AML: What are the most unique colors of sea glass?
Suzanne: Orange, red and yellow are the most rare because of the different chemical compounds or elements (like gold) that are used to produce those colors. The most common are green, white and brown.
AML: How did this idea of a sea glass festival in Cape May come about?
Suzanne: As a traveling sea glass artist and professional member (and former Board Member) of the International Sea Glass Association, I roam the country to participate in sea glass festivals. I decided I wanted a dedicated one right here in Cape May County where I live. ISGA previously hosted their annual festival in Cape May in 2014–and then in Wildwood in 2018 & 2019–but they move around every few years, so I knew it would be great to have one here annually.
AML: What can people expect?
Suzanne: There will be over 80 artists and handcrafters showcasing their work. Not every artist works with sea glass, but those that do are only allowed to use genuine sea glass, no artificially tumbled glass is allowed. There will be live music both days, lectures, a live Mermaid, and a face painter for the kids, plus a treasure hunt.
AML: What kind of artists are participating?
Suzanne: There are potters, painters, sculptors, woodworkers, jewelry artists, mosaics, candle and soap makers, and everything in between.
AML: What are some really creative ways artists use/interpret sea glass?
Suzanne: Some use it in mini-sculptures, 2-d artwork or jewelry. I’ve even seen it sewn onto clothing!
AML: What (do you think) is the fascination with sea glass?
Suzanne: Each piece has a history. Some pieces you may not ever be able to identify, but others are very uniquely colored, shaped, or embossed with symbols, brands (like Coca-Cola) and letters so they can tell their unique stories.
Suzanne: Tumbling in a rock tumbler is not ok, it is not even close, and the purist can tell!
AML: What are the best places around the Jersey Shore to find sea glass…do tell!
Suzanne: Rocky Bay Side beaches are the best. Sea glass is getting harder to find, because we aren’t polluting our beaches as much, and if we are it is plastics (yuck) but you can find plenty of Cape May Diamonds!
AML: Not to be a hopeless romantic, but we have to ask. Do you think there is any sea glass out there from The Titanic? Or famous shipwrecks? I guess we would never know?
Suzanne: YES! Believe it or not, there is. I have seen shards on exhibit from different wreckages.
AML: How many people attend this festival?
Suzanne: The last two years we have had about 2,000 attendees. But we are hoping to double that this year!
Follow Suzanne
You can follow Suzanne’s socials for her own handmade jewelry, The Sea Glass Grotto, here:
Jersey Cape Sea Glass Festival Website
https://www.jerseycapeseaglassfest.com/
List of Participating Festival Artists & Sponsors
https://www.jerseycapeseaglassfest.com/blank-1
3rd Annual Jersey Cape Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
When: Mother’s Day Weekend–Sat, May 9th & Sun, May 10th
Times: 11am-4pm each day
Where: Historic Cold Spring Village, Cape May, New Jersey
Village Address: 720 US Route 9, Cape May, New Jersey
Cost: $12 one day; $20 for a two day pass
Purchase Tickets Here
Be Social with the Jersey Cape Sea Glass Festival
Follow the Jersey Cape Sea Glass Festival on Facebook →
Follow the Jersey Cape Sea Glass Festival on Instagram →
Be Social with Historic Cold Spring Village
Follow Historic Cold Spring Village on Facebook →
Follow Historic Cold Spring Village on Instagram →
It’s Event Season! Be Social with Sarah and AroundMainLine.com
Follow AroundMainLine on TikTok →
Follow AroundMainLine on Instagram →
Follow AroundMainLine on Facebook →
