Like Will, I tried getting Claire, my daughter, interested in helping me make jewelry in the summers when she was home from college.
She was NOT interested.
Claire has always been creative—she loves drawing, painting, and all things crafty—but jewelry making? Hard pass.
A Different Path
Claire was busy doing her own thing.
She earned her degree in Elementary Education and Exercise Science and played college soccer, which didn't leave much time for a job during school.
During the summer of 2023—she was home from college, working as a strength coach intern with the Oregon State University football team…and not making any money.
So, she started experimenting.
The Accidental Beginning of Sea Glass Art
This part actually started with another artist.
I had purchased a few pieces of sea glass art from a sea glass artist in France and would occasionally use them in my display.
And every single time…
People wanted to buy them.
Which, of course, I couldn't replace easily.
So Claire decided to try making a few of her own using leftover sea glass I wasn't planning to use for jewelry.
At the time, it was just for fun—and just to fill out my display.
But the second I put her pieces out…
People wanted to buy those, too.
So they sold.
She made more.
Those sold.
She made even more.
And just like that, what started as a simple idea turned into something much bigger.
When the Roles Reversed
Here's the funny part—Claire ended up teaching me how to make sea glass art so I could help her with production.
Not exactly how I thought that would go.
When she went back to school in Fall 2023, she took some sea glass supplies with her and kept creating artwork for us to sell at markets.
It’s Not “Just Glueing Rocks”
Her work has evolved a lot since those first pieces.
What started as simple designs has turned into detailed sea glass and mosaic-style artwork.
And let me tell you—it's not as easy as it looks.
Each piece requires:
- A vision for the design
- Patience to find the right pieces of sea glass
- Careful placement (often with tweezers!)
- And steady hands while gluing everything into place
One wrong bump… and it can all shift.
(Also—this is where my “sausage fingers” are not exactly helpful. Glue everywhere.)
How Her Artwork Has Evolved
Claire’s sea glass art has come a long way from those first experimental pieces.
In the beginning, she was using whatever we had on hand—card stock, random frames, and my leftover sea glass that didn't make it into jewelry.
It worked.
People loved it.
But it was just the starting point.
Over time, her process—and her standards—have completely leveled up.
Now we only use:
- High-quality watercolor paper
- Archival pens for clean, detailed designs
- Professional mats
- And a consistent frame style that gives everything a polished, cohesive look
And one of the biggest changes?
The materials she works with.
What started as just leftover sea glass has grown into a full collection of carefully sourced coastal elements. We now incorporate:
- Beach pottery and china (Japan, England, France)
- Shells (Florida & Oregon Coast)
- Prehistoric shark teeth (Florida)
- Pebbles (Oregon Coast)
- Driftwood and other beach treasures
Along with sourcing a lot of tiny, naturally worn sea glass from trusted sellers around the world—perfect for more detailed and intricate designs.
Just like with our sea glass jewelry, every piece of sea glass we use is genuine.
We never use “tumbled” glass or anything artificially made to look like sea glass.
Every piece has been shaped by the ocean over time—collected, worn smooth, and thoughtfully placed into her artwork.
It’s still the same idea she started with…
Just taken to a whole new level.
A Creative Outlet (and a Smart Side Hustle)
Claire quickly figured out that having a side hustle she actually enjoys is a win-win:
- A creative outlet
- Extra income
- Something completely different from her day-to-day work
Especially helpful when you’re a college student.
Where She Is Now
Claire is currently living in Georgia, working as a strength and conditioning coach and continuing to make her sea glass artwork on the side.
She previously spent two years as a Graduate Assistant in strength & conditioning at the University of Georgia, where she balanced a full-time work schedule while earning her Master’s degree.
Now that she’s finished grad school, she’s staying in Georgia and continuing her career in the athletic department—while still making time for her art.
Because at this point, it’s not just extra income—it’s something she genuinely enjoys and looks forward to.
A Tag-Team Effort
These days, our sea glass art is very much a team effort.
- The more detailed, intricate pieces? Those are mostly Claire’s
- The simpler, high-volume designs? That’s where I help with production
Together, we’ve built something that we never really planned—but wouldn’t want to do without.
A Little Piece of Claire’s Work
You can find Claire’s sea glass art:
- In our Etsy shop at ArtSeaFramed
- On our website at Accent Yourself (less during selling season)
- In person at markets like the Corvallis Makers Market & Yachats Farmers Market
Each piece is one-of-a-kind, and our inventory turns over quickly—especially during market season.
So if you see one you love… don’t wait too long.