Our Trip to Gabriola Island

Shabby Chic - Beach Cottage Vase or Container

Washed Ashore - Rustic Picture Frame

Cheryl and I decided it was time to catch up on our beachcombing so we headed off on the ferry to Gabriola Island recently. We could not have picked a better day. The sun's rays felt so wonderful after such a long spell of gray, rainy weather.

We packed a picnic lunch and ate it at beautiful Drumbeg Beach where we found all kinds of seashells and pieces of driftwood for our creations. It was a bit of a drive but oh so worth it! I was amazed at how we would find different things we needed at different beaches... oyster shells at one, sea glass at another, mussel shells at another.

When we were too pooped to do more beachcombing, we went for some delicious steamers at Raspberry's Jazz Cafe located in Folklife Village Shopping Centre. Perfect timing as the weather began to get chillier and grayer. Then we had a look around a lovely little shop with all kinds of local handcrafted treasures called Gabriola Artworks .

So our day on Gabriola was perfect and now we have all kinds of new ocean treasures to make our creations. You may see a couple of our newest seaside creations in the photos above. They are both for sale on our website. We hope you take some time this spring and summer, to enjoy the ocean and all the beauty our area has to offer. It is so good for the soul.

Something Brand New At A2Sea Creations

Heavenly Seaside Beach Cottage Wreath

I just love wreaths. When I see a wreath up on someone's door, it says to me, "Welcome... come on in!" So finally I have made one and, the best part... it just oozes ocean!

To make this wreath, I needed to drill holes in the shells that hang down from the top. My hubby David helped me get started and I was on my way in no time. Now I want to drill holes in everything I can get my hands on! Especially if it has anything to do with the sea. I will have to make a large shell mobile one day soon as I just love them!

Because this was my first wreath, it took me a long while to get it just right. Mind you, I am so very picky and will fiddle with things to ad nauseam. I did have an idea of what I wanted to achieve, thanks to Cheryl's gift to me; a wreath how-to book. But having no real experience, except for making Christmas wreaths out of cedar boughs 100 years ago, I found that I continually had to play with it, coming back time and time again to adjust something or add more shells, or what have you. Finally I was happy with the finished product. And I love the feminine quality to it. I have a real fondness for shabby chic and this wreath certainly fits the bill. And what a lovely addition or gift for a wedding!

I will try my hand at various styles... perhaps one that is more rustic looking for the natural buffs. It would have the same kind of feel as our 'Washed Ashore - Rustic Bottle' we sold awhile back; one with primarily driftwood, seaweed and natural fishing net. The sea's the limit! And the sea has so much to offer. And we have so many ideas!

Something's Fishy at A2Sea Creations

Fish Tales - Unique Tin Pendant With Pewter Starfish Charm

When it comes to designing new jewelry, I find it quite easy to be inspired by the sea. And it is such a satisfying feeling seeing someone wearing your design.

This is the newest addition to our online gift shop. There are a lot of ocean lovers out there, like ourselves, so our creations are appreciated all around the world... and that makes us pretty happy. Like music, the sea is something that so many of us have in common and it tends to draw us together. It is a magical place that holds so many wonderful memories for so many of us. And it's never quite the same... always new treasures to be found and collected. It's like a treasure hunt and who doesn't love those?

Well, now that we have posted this new jewelry design, what will be next, I wonder? I can hardly wait to find out!

I hope everyone has enjoyed the Olympics as much as Cheryl and I have. What an exciting time to be a Canadian, I must say! We are so proud.