Minus Tide Jewelry...

...started the first week of April 2007, while vacationing on my home shores in Santa Cruz, CA (central California/Monterey bay area). Having grown up there and collected shells for all those many years, I’d always thought I’d eventually get around to making something crafty with my collections. That week I finally felt inspired, and set out to make something while the creative energies were upon me. I came home on fire with the idea that I was going to make jewelry, and that was all there was to it! In all the years imagining my future, I never saw myself where I am today-owning my own company, and designing and making jewelry- but you never know where the path leads when you first start to follow it.

The idea came to me for the perfect store name, of a “minus tide”, because it is something that only occurs once a month, making it special! It is when the tide is so low that you can walk way out towards the sea off the beach, and find treasures on the ocean floor you never knew were there before!  
The ultimate tide pools!             


When making the jewelry, I found that it was more than just "seeing the design" that the shell or stone inspired, it was having the mechanical aptitude to use the proper tools and proper findings to put the pieces together. So I researched many things on the web, bought the necessary tools, bought books to research the semi-precious stones and shells I found.  Now, not only am I capable as a jeweler, but I am a budding Geologist as well…a ”rock hound” if you will.

I am very determined to stay true to the vision of making jewelry as close to nature as possible. Some of the shells were beautiful and artistic in and of themselves when I found them! I also want the beach jewelry to reflect the spirit of the people and environment they represent; still looking and feeling like natural jewelry- organic.

Having worked as a retail manager for almost a decade, and having a teenage son (who has already snatched up several pieces of jewelry for himself and his friends), I have a pretty good understanding of the industry. Sadly I see stores right now, that are representing the "beachy" style but are selling plastic jewelry that isn’t indicative of what surfers’ would wear, or what you would want to wear as a beach goer. Perhaps the plastic orbs, plastic rocks, and plastic donuts are making a comeback from our lost new wave era of the 80’s (yet another fad, that will soon fade)… but people in beach communities that live and breathe “that style“ …are different: flip flops, to easily kick off at the beach and put back on at the sidewalks; water durable wrist, ankle, and neck wear; wash and go hair styles; very little make-up; and easy breezy clothes for the fluctuating weather changes from off shore… this is what Minus Tide Jewelry embodies!

So when you wear this jewelry, know that the shells and the semi-precious stones were made with care and creativity (each piece is one of a kind), and that by wearing these pieces you will feel a part of the coastal community, no matter where you live!

It’s always summer somewhere in the world!

Peace Out!

Ginger







                      poem by: Ginger



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                                                        July's Treasure Hunt

      The first week of July 2007, I made my second trip of the year down the coastline to Santa Cruz. My goal was to gather more shells, with more variety, than the last haul in April. This time, I needed enough to get me through until next Spring. 
                                                              I refuse to buy my shells or my semi-precious stones (although I am forced to buy, albeit locally, the metal, wood, and beaded stone chips) from overseas or over the internet. I am disgusted as it is to learn that the shops in the Santa Cruz area are selling sea shells to tourists  that are not even native to this side of the world. You can buy a shell with the words “Capitola California” inscribed on it, but the shell may be from some coast in India. Does the tourist know that? If they did, would they have bought it? I have always thought the souvenirs I bring home from my travels should be something indigenous to that locale... a reminder of the place I visited to trigger fond memories. You will never see that shell, upon the store shelf, wash upon the shores in that bay (because it was from Indonesia), yet there it is.

Thinking of how much trouble I go through to gather my materials, I guess I am disheartened by the knowledge that very underpaid ethnic workers harvest these creatures all day every day for their lively hood. Then they are so cheaply purchased from them, only to be turned around and sold in America at a 500% mark up in the retail business. 

Anyways, I digress, here is the story of my week collecting materials:
    
Day 1, I went seeking a lucrative sea shell gathering spot midway between New Brighton and Sea Cliff Beach. Not a common tourist spot because it involves a lot of walking, but considering how few shells seem to be found anywhere else along this stretch of sand, this was the spot to try for. My step mom showed me this outcropping of rocks last April, when I was hunting for Monterey Jade. Along with a treasure troth of stones there, I found a lot of the Olive shells that I love. The tide was higher than I remembered the last time, so I had to torture by brain cells to remember any land marks or distinct water features. All I could remember was how the waves came together in opposing forces, to not crash up on the shore, but unto each other: thus the rock outcropping - nature was making her own jetty. I walked and walked and walked looking for clues. The tide being higher was totally unexpected and I was losing hope... until I saw a small stream of pebbles tumbling down the sand with each wave. I stopped and walked out knee deep into the ocean, and felt with my feet and hands for a mound of rocks... still nothing. But the longer I stood there, the more I realized there was a lot of activity of big rocks tumbling up and down with the currents... I followed the zig zag pattern up the beach a little further, and there it was... way out there in the water, signaled by three circle shaped currents congregating at the base of the outcrop of rocks (completely submerged beneath the water). Now all I had to do was wait for the tide to go down. Little did I know at the time, that the next low tide wasn't until dinner time, it was only mid-day! Not to worry, I am not known to be a patient person anyways, so I waded out to my knees. As the waves would pull back, I could quickly scour the sandy floor with my eyes. If I spied something promising, be it a beautiful stone or an intact shell, I would have to pounce on it with Maco Shark like speed before the next wave washed it away. This game went on for an hour or so... fun at first, until some of those larger rocks were thrown into my ankle or Achilles heel by a merciless wave break. The cold water was a godsend at first... my feet being pretty numb... until some sharper rocks cut me. When I finally had had enough, with not a lot to show for it, my feet and ankles looked like a war zone. Did I mention the unusual hot temperature that day and my tremendous sunburn?  
                                                                           
      Day 2, Tuesday, I got up early to make the minus tide! Yes there really was one!  I went down to Capitola for the exposed tide pools, and to see all the fossils to be found in the chunks of the cliff breaking off. Twice I have seen this one rock sunk deep into the sand with a whale bone embedded in it. Quite a sight!  I also hoped to find more shells, since I was off to such a meager start. Instead, there were lots of semi-precious stones to be found, with only the occasional shell. It was fun hunting, but still nothing to be excited about. I did however find a huge chunk of rose quartz! 
      Day 3 was the Fourth of July, and it was a mad house on the beaches!  I still went for a couple of hours to play, and gather what I could. Again, a different beach that day and a different variety of treasures to be found. That day it was  Pandora shells, which look like white angel wings and are very fragile. The nice thing about them is they are gorgeous just the way they are! If I could get them home without them breaking, clean them and dip them for luster and strength, then they would be perfect for matching earrings. So I was happy with my little find on that day. Only problem, I was starting to feel some twinges in my lower back from all the hunched over posture of hours of searching.  
                                                             
      Thursday, day 4,  was my do or die day, because I was leaving on Friday. My plan was to drive up to Scott's Creek while it was still low tide. This was an area near Davenport on the way up HWY 1 to Half Moon Bay, where my dad and brother have done some Abalone "fishing". (The Abalone can only be harvested one or two times a year, you have to have a license, and they are quickly becoming a disappearing species!!!  Locals love the meat, and the jewelry the shells can make are a hot commodity!  They saved their shells for me this year!) At low tide there are incredible tide pools, and you can get around the cliffs to hidden beach coves.  So I rolled quickly out of bed, crammed down a banana, and was on the road by 8:30 am! As early as it was, I was afraid that I would miss my last opportunity to find something to work with for my jewelry. When my husband and I arrived, the fog was so thick you could hardly see the ocean over the dunes. I practically jogged down the beach though, leaving my husband behind, afraid I would miss this one window of opportunity. I was in luck though, the tide was still low!! On my way to the cliffs, where I knew the tide pool areas were, small breathtaking semi-precious stones lay nestled every half foot or so- completely different than anything else we'd seen!  Again a new beach, and a whole new set of rules with what could be found! Excited, I picked up the pace, jumped the rock tide pools until I found what I was looking for... a small cove around the cliffs past the pools! What I saw, was terrific! All the way up and down the beach were SHELLS! I spent the next 3 hours hunched over picking up some very interesting shells, and I was in heaven... until my back started twinging again- painfully so. About then the tide started to come in, so not wanting to risk getting stuck in the cove, I made my way back over the tide pools, found my wandering husband, slugged cross the cold foggy sandy beach, and to my car. It never felt so good to sit down!  Despite my back, I finally felt like I had accomplished my goal, and would have a lot to work with for a while. On this day, along with a lot of the Monterey Jade I had been hoping to find, I gathered a lot of beautiful specimens of Jasper in all colors and varieties, and a huge oval Moonstone! Absolutely gorgeous! Quite pleased!

    Now I ask you, when you purchase jewelry or a souvenir from a store where there are 20 of the same style necklace, maybe some even made with synthetic shells, does that piece feel special (especially now that you know that is just another corporate engine behind their manufacturing), a one of a kind treasure, or does it have a story to share with you???? No?!
   You know now, at least, that what you buy with Minus Tide Jewelry will be authentic, hand made, one of a kind, and it will be special because you know the story of its journey on its way to find you!
                                                              poem by: Ginger

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-------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Artisan's Journey
                                                            

   The process of actually making the jewelry, even the most basic shell necklace, is far more labor intensive than you would expect.  Let me share with you the story of several finds from the beaches of central California and their journey to becoming jewelry!  Assuming that you have already read "July's Treasure Hunt", you understand that gathering the materials to make the jewelry is back breaking work.  But once you get the shells and stones home, it gets even harder.                                                               
   After washing off all the stinky rotten sea weed smell from the shells and stones, I separate them all into groups by species, color, and/or shape... whatever really suits my fancy.  The Olives are the easiest choice (I use them pretty much as they are), so I put them together first, and sub categorize them by color.  Then I ready them for "dipping".  I use a polyurethane dip, a clear coating used to seal wood after staining.  After dipping each one individually and allowing to dry for a day, it hardens the shell and gives it that moist luster that you see when the shells are wet and the colors are enhanced. Because I am not going to shape or drill these, the only thing I need to do before utilizing them as jewelry parts, is grind down the tip of the cone.  Sometimes the seagulls have already done this process for me while feeding on them, but I need to have a wide hole on the top of certain ones if I am going to use them for beading on to leather or hemp for bracelets, anklets, or chokers.  I can have a smaller hole if I plan on threading a wire through, or a pin, to make into a pendant. I go through the same process with the Periwinkles, Bubbles, Whelks, and Thorn Drupe shells (any other cone shaped shell).

   The snails are a little different.  I learned something really fascinating in July, that underneath the colored texture on the exterior of the snail shell is a translucent mother of pearl coating.  To get to this inner layer, however, involves a lot of sanding and polishing. There is an acid dip that other jewelers use, but I have not found this yet, so we are doing it the old fashioned way- elbow grease.  It's rare to find the whole sea snail intact, because to find them on the beach without its inhabitant, means the seagulls have already broken through the top to get to their dinner.  That's okay with me though, because the broken Tegula snail shells make for good beading with the hemp chokers. After these are all worked, they will also go through the dipping process.

   The clam, cockle, oyster, mussel and scallop varieties will also get dipped, if they are whole and have a natural beauty all their own.  Often I will utilize the broken pieces of the hardier ones to sculpt into a design, or make into beads, then they will get dipped as well.  This way, however the inspiration strikes me, I can manipulate these raw materials into the purpose of my vision. I don't have a method for the designing process, quite literally the shells and their individual characteristics will inspire me.  I have never taken any jewelry design or how-to classes... I have learned by doing, but I have always had an eye for design and an artistic sense.  I did take traditional art in middle school and high school, but that's it. 
   
   Okay, now about the Abalone.  This is where the harder work comes in.  The Abalone is an awesome material for jewelry, because it is so sturdy.  Unlike the other shells which will fracture from too much heat from the grinder, sander or drill bits, Abalone is strong stuff!  This makes it ideal for sculpting, but it takes time, and power tools!  A rotary tool is fine for the lesser shells and the majority of your jewelry making needs, but I had to invest in a heavy duty drill press and grinder for this thick rock like shell.  It is so worth it though, because it turns out something so beautiful!  Abalone hides a hidden rainbow of colors underneath its exposed ugly exterior, and it is a tasty delicacy as well!  Unfortunately it is on the verge of becoming an endangered species.  Therefore, harvesting is limited to only certain times of the year! When I have been lucky, I have found an already ocean polished piece washed up on the shore. 
   On another note - there is peril with grinding or drilling into these shells- they release a cyanide gas... so we not only have to wear safety goggles when using the power tools, but a breathing mask as well. 
   Hey, I haven't even touched on the stones yet!!!  What about those semi-precious stones?  Since they were found upon the ocean shores, mother nature has done most the tumbling and polishing over the years for me.  The cycle is still not complete, however.  The whole tumbling process can take a month (a week for each type of grit used).  I don't have a huge tumbler, so I can't do multiple pounds of stone at a time, but one tumble can give me enough to work with for quite a while.  I assumed after the final week, the polishing phase, that the stones would come out all shiny and glistening... nope!  Turns out that you still need to buff each stone if you want that shine and luster look. Some jewelers out there on the net have mentioned a dip of some sort for the stones as well, to get that same appearance. 
   So you're thinking right now, well that wasn't so bad, what is the big deal?  Well, there are no holes in the stones! They do not come equipped in a bead like fashion ripe for the stringing.  The lapidary tool needed to drill holes into the stones is not affordable or easy to acquire and utilize... you need to find someone who has a shop and knows how to use the tool.  If you can't do that, or choose not to, that leaves you with the fine art of wire wrapping (to artistically adorn the stone in precious metal wire and make it into fine jewelry). Problem?  Wire sculpting is also an acquired art form not easily learned.  You have to buy cheap bendable wire to practice (practice, practice, practice) designs on for a long time, before purchasing real quality metals. This is a hard learning curve, and not a cheap one at that.    
   THEN, after all this is said and done, before you can present this as jewelry, the stones need to be identified. How do you know if it is a gemstone, or a semi-precious stone, or just a rock? How do you know its metaphysical properties, or its healing abilities?  All these things have to be researched, researched, researched.... oh, and did I mention, researched?  I really had no idea what I was getting myself into with the stones.  They have been the most time intensive, mentally painful part of this entire endeavor!  I now could probably receive a minor in Geology at the University of Wherever!! I purchased at least 8 books on the subjects of Crystals, Gemstones, Minerals and Rocks, Shells etc.
   
   Phew, we are now at the completion of the process, right? Well, lets not forget the trips to the local crafts and jewelry stores for materials and tools; learning how to use all these things to make your vision come to fruition; and then, learn how to make and run a website to make them available to the public.  But we will leave that for another day...




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