International Sea Glass Festivals
Two-day sea and beach glass festivals with artisans, speakers, sea glass contest, and more!
The International Sea Glass Association organizes the premier sea and beach glass events in the country, celebrating the history and beauty of genuine sea and beach glass. With talented artists and jewelers, knowledgeable speakers, the Sea Glass Contest, Collectors Showcase, and an opportunity to connect with fellow sea glass enthusiasts, International Sea Glass Festivals are always unforgettable.
There were two festivals in 2024!
- The 18th International Sea Glass Festival was held at the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut, on July 27–28, 2024. View on Facebook ›
- The 19th International Sea Glass Festival was held at Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion in Seattle, Washington, on August 10–11, 2024. View on Facebook ›
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Tickets
The 18th International Sea Glass Festival in Mystic, Connecticut
One-of-a-Kind Jewelry • Décor • Art • Lectures • Sea Glass Contest
Tickets provided admission to both days of the festival, lectures, Collectors Showcase, and the Sea Glass Contest, as well as the entire Mystic Seaport Museum grounds. Mystic Seaport Museum members got free admission to the festival and grounds. Tickets were also available at Mystic Seaport Museum during festival weekend.
The 19th International Sea Glass Festival in Seattle, Washington
Tickets provided admission to the vendor area, lectures, Collectors Showcase, and the Sea Glass Contest. Visitors selected one-day or two-day tickets with an option for a VIP ticket, which gives you early entry on Saturday and a gift. Tickets were also available at Fisher Pavilion during festival weekend.
Festival Schedule
The Festival is a full weekend of sea and beach glass!
Saturday
- 9 am VIP Early Entry (Seattle only)
- 10 am Festival opens
- 11 am Presentation
- Mystic: Richard LaMotte
- Seattle: Alan Rammer
- 1 pm Presentation
- Seattle: Alan Rammer
- 2 pm Presentation
- Mystic: Roxie Zwicker
- 3 pm Presentation
- Seattle: Christian Holtz
- 5 pm Festival closes for the day
Evening reception and member meeting for Professional Members, Community Members, Collectors, Speakers, and Volunteers.
Sunday
- 10 am Festival opens
- 10 am – 1 pm Entries accepted for the Sea Glass Contest
- 11 am Presentation
- Mystic: Richard LaMotte
- Seattle: Mary Beth Beuke
- 12:30 pm Sea Glass Contest entry card sales end
- 1 pm Sea Glass Contest judging begins
- 3 pm Sea Glass Contest winners announced
- 3:30 – 4:30 pm Pick up contest entries
- 5 pm Festival closes
Vendors
International Sea Glass Festivals feature the beautiful work of our lineup of talented artists, jewelers, and designers.
Acorn Beach Glass and Artistry ⚓️ • Aloha Sea Glass 🌲 • Amanda Ponvert Designs ⚓️🌲 • Andi Clarke Jewelry🌲 • Beach Baubles ⚓️ • Beach Bum Sea Glass🌲• Beachcombing Magazine 🌲 • Beachcombings Studio ⚓️ • Beach Glass Bingo ⚓️🌲 • Bead Boutique / Tricia Hall Jewelry ⚓️ • Bling Beach Glass Windows ⚓️🌲 • Cape Cod Gypsea ⚓️ • Cottage Industry ⚓️ • DMG Creations ⚓️ • Facets Artisan Jewelry ⚓️🌲 • Fairyland Glade ⚓️ • Frosted Trash ⚓️ • funky bijoux ⚓️ • Gull Cottage Crafts ⚓️ • Heart to Heart Designs ⚓️ • HKM Jewelry ⚓️ • HL Sea and Beach Glass Jewelry ⚓️ • Jewelry by the Sea ⚓️ • Kate Samson Design ⚓️🌲 • Katie Carrin Artisan Sea Glass Jewelry 🌲 • Lovely Glassworks ⚓️ • Maraonda ⚓️ • Marooned Crab Creations ⚓️🌲 • Mint Jellies 🌲 • Ocean Sea Glass Creations ⚓️ • Prime Hook Beach Studio ⚓️ • Rainbow by The Sea Jewelry Designs ⚓️ • Reenie Seaglass Design ⚓️ • Riptide Sea Glass Jewelry ⚓️ • Rubtoys Sea Glass ⚓️🌲 • Sandy Fingers Art 🌲 • Sea Cairns ⚓️🌲 • Sea Gals Gallery of Delaware ⚓️ • Sea Glass Compositions ⚓️🌲 • Sea Glass Designs ⚓️ • Sea Glass Grotto ⚓️ • Sea Glass Heart Art ⚓️ • Sea Glass Jewelry and Art by Nora ⚓️⚓️⚓️
⚓️ Mystic Vendor 🌲 Seattle Vendor
Please view the vendor map and list to learn more about the Professional Members who participated in the 2024 festivals.
Presentations
Educational presentations about sea and beach glass, local coastal information, and more from knowledgeable beachcombing experts.
2024 Presentations
History, Mystery and New England Sea Glass
Roxie Zwicker, Saturday, July 27, 2024, 2 p.m., Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut
Walking the beaches of New England one is exploring the shadows of 400 years of the region’s colonial settlement and picking up a piece of sea glass or pottery connects us to the history and evolution the cities and towns. From shipwrecks, relentless storms and spooky maritime mysteries Roxie will share some of her favorite locations to beachcomb with the fascinating and unforgettable stories behind them. With a fun and well researched presentation guests will be excited to plan their next memorable sea glass adventure.
How it All Began: Two decades of sea glass
Richard LaMotte, Saturday, July 27, 2024, 11 a.m. and Sunday, July 28, 2024, 11 a.m., Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut
When the first sea glass festival took place in Rockport, Massachusetts, a small but excited community began its journey. It was October of 2004. In June of that year, Richard LaMotte launched the first collector’s book specifically for beachcombers who wanted to learn everything they could about the shards within their own collections. His original research not only helped educate collectors but also set the standard for sea glass rarity and value. Richard will share a historical and entertaining look at our industry along with many unique inspirations included in his award-winning book, Pure Sea Glass.
Glass Fishing Floats of the World: Their history, uses, and how they end up as beach glass
Alan Rammer, Saturday, August 10, 2024, Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion, Seattle, Washington
11 am: Many people associate glass fishing floats with Japan and other Asian countries but did you know they originated in Norway and other Scandanavian countries in about 1840. Many of these designs were copied by Japan beginning about 1910. Other countries followed right into the 80’s. Their shapes and sizes tell us which fisheries they were used for. Considering that they were produced for utilitarian purposes with no thought to being collectible, many of them now command prices in the hundreds and even thousands of dollars. Come and learn what makes a common float a collectible one.
1 pm: Join Alan for an entertaining presentation of “Fun Facts About Sealife-Is It Fact or Fiction?” This program involves sharing beach goers with fun facts about things they have never given much thought to on their seashore visits. You’ll learn about the lives of crabs, barnacles, baby sea animals, birds, tides, and more. Learn about world-record sea creatures in Washington, how are baby sharks born, the use of shells/shell beads in indigenous clothing and jewelry, and so much more!
Viking Navigation: How the Vikings navigated the open ocean using their amazing sunstones.
Christian Holtz, Saturday, August 10, 2024, 3 p.m., Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion, Seattle, Washington
More than a thousand years ago the Vikings managed to sail to new lands across the Atlantic and back without the use of compass or sextant, and with no accurate method of keeping time. How did they accomplish this? Christian Holtz will illuminate the ways in which the Vikings were able to navigate across vast distances in their time, cross open ocean, and accomplish what is referred to as latitude sailing. Drawing, in part, from the Icelandic Sagas, this talk will consider many of the navigational aids they most likely used including stars, whales, birds, and their amazing sunstones.
The Sea Glass of North America’s West Coast and Islands; History, identification and tall tales
Mary Beth Beuke, August 11, 2024, 11 a.m., Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion, Seattle, Washington
Pacific Northwest native Mary Beth “MB” Beuke has traversed North America’s West Coast for over 30 years. Part of her varied and historic sea glass collection spans shores from Mexico to Kodiak Island Alaska and many islands in between. MB, has presented at museums, colleges, libraries and more. She’s studied the history and identification of rare pieces and will share exciting stories, extreme beachcombing tales, and will identify everything from beads, to stoppers, to patterned pieces, and more. Her award winning photography will show sea glass color rarity, sea marbles, antique glassware, uv glowers etc. MB will also share beachcombing tips and hunter’s best practices.
2024 Presenters
Richard LaMotte
In June of 2004, Richard LaMotte released the first reference book for sea glass collectors, Pure Sea Glass. It covered the science behind the formation of sea glass, glass history, its origins and colors, details on sea glass rarity and helped guide collectors to do their own sea glass identification. His research on glass, especially bottle shard dating and identification, allowed beachcombers of all ages to understand the rarity of the sea glass gems within their own collections. He assisted the late Joanne Schreiber with the first ever Northeast Sea Glass Festival, hosted in October 2004. Richard later helped found the North American Sea Glass Association (now ISGA) in 2005. Fellow co-founder Mary Beth Beuke and Richard then co-hosted the first National Sea Glass festival in 2006, held in Santa Cruz, California. Richard lives on the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland with his wife Stephanie. For forty years he has worked for a water analysis company started by his grandfather in 1919. His research on how sea glass is formed was the first of its kind. Learn more ›
Richard’s presentations in Mystic, Connecticut:
- Saturday, July 27, 2024, 11 a.m.
- Sunday, July 28, 2024, 11 a.m.
Roxie Zwicker
New England’s Mystery Maven, Roxie Zwicker, has been entertaining the locals, visitors from away, and curious souls since 1994. Her company, located in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, has been offering award-winning tours, presentations, and special events since 2002, based on New England folklore and mysteries. Roxie is the published author of ten books that delve into the region’s history and lore. Her most recent book is New England Sea Glass, A Vibrant History, which covers the maritime history and mystery of beach-found treasures in New England. ”Wicked Curious” is Roxie’s podcast available on all major podcast platforms. Her extensive collection of sea glass gathered over 30 years takes up an entire room in her house and her website can be found at newenglandcuriosities.com.
Roxie’s presentation in Mystic, Connecticut:
- Saturday, July 27, 2024, 2 p.m.
Mary Beth Beuke
A Pacific Northwest native, Mary Beth ”MB” Beuke has grown up along and extensively traveled the North American continent’s west coast and more. She has spent a lifetime along the shore, living, working, studying, and recreating on beaches worldwide. MB is the author of the best-selling book The Ultimate Guide to Sea Glass, as well as being a founding board member and past president of NASGA. She speaks around the country at beachcombing events, museums, and colleges. MB founded the West Coast Sea Glass company in 1998. She has studied jewelry design, metal smithing and has been creating wearable art for over forty years. MB’s college education in graphics reproduction and photography was a natural fit as she’s been drawn to the visual arts and creating art with her hands. Prior to launching West Coast Sea Glass, MB worked as a semi-professional photographer, owned her own dark room, and has also taught photo lab work at the college level. She has traveled much, using her camera as her window to the world, won two national photography competitions and now uses sea glass as a vibrant and colorful photo subject. After years of collecting sea glass and studying its conditioning, history, and rarity, she learned that what she had was a treasure trove. Her connection to kindred beachcomber spirits from around the world has enabled her to view and identify pieces from every continent and most coastal countries. Learn more ›
Mary Beth’s presentation in Seattle, Washington:
- Sunday, August 11, 2024 11 a.m.
Alan Rammer
Alan has been a float collector for 54 years after finding his first floats on the island of Kauai in 1970. He became close friends with Amos Wood, to many the godfather of all glass float collectors, in 1971 when he began attending the University of Washington. Just before Amos’ passing in 1989, Amos gave him his contact list and asked him to bear the torch with collectors around the world. He and his late best friend Stuart Farnsworth co-authored two price guides for these glass gems from the high seas that are now out of print and very hard to find. Alan is the founder of the Ocean Shores Beachcombers and Glass Float Expo and had been involved with the festival in Seaside Oregon previously. He is a retired community outreach and environmental educator for marine issues for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and was the 2012 National Marine Educator. He has beachcombed 5 of our 7 continents and enjoys meeting fellow beach enthusiasts wherever he goes. Jim Lynch, the author of The Highest Tide shadowed Alan on the job for a year and even dedicated one of the characters to him. The book has been adapted for a movie and Alan is left wondering who will play his character. Learn more ›
Alan’s presentations in Seatte, Washington:
- Saturday, August 10, 2024, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Christian Holtz
Christian is a U.S. Sailing and American Sailing Association Sailing Instructor and U.S. Coast Guard licensed Master of vessels of 100 GDT. He is also a private pilot and long-time volunteer Command Pilot with the aviation charity Angel Flight West providing free air transportation in response to health care and other compelling human needs. Presently, Christian teaches sailing and seamanship at The Center for Wooden Boats on Lake Union in Seattle, Washington.
Christian’s presentation in Seatte, Washington:
- Saturday, August 10, 2024, 3 p.m.
Collectors Showcase
The Collectors Showcase features the extensive collections of sea glass collectors. Sea glass, beach pottery, sea marbles, antique bottles, and more treasures found on the beach are featured at the festival. In Mystic, collectors showed their finds on Saturday in Greenman’s Landing. In Seattle, collectors displayed their collections on Saturday and Sunday in Fisher Pavilion.
2024 Collectors:
Anne Davis, Collector ⚓️
Anne Davis and her son Ky, also known as Captain Ky the Sea Glass Guy are the duo at LC’s Glass, dedicated to uncovering the world’s undiscovered sea glass beaches. While Ky traverses the globe on his sailboat seeking hidden treasures, Anne researches and crafts with their treasure trove, predominantly from the sun-kissed shores of the Caribbean.
Rebecca Doughty, Collector ⚓️
Rebecca’s collection consists mostly of old, ornate detailed pieces of pottery found in New England rivers and coastlines. She grew up collecting pieces at her Grandma’s house in Maine by a lake, where she she would find all kinds of treasures. Years later, she has continued that love for pottery picking in her current home of Newport, Rhode Island, where she’s afforded miles and miles of rocky coasts to explore and comb.
Lauren Frugé, Collector 🌲
Five years of Lauren’s childhood were spent on a small Caribbean island, where whe learned the art and patience of beachcombing. She now beachcombs on chilly Pacific Northwest beaches and is an avid seaglass collector and mobile artist. She visits beaches on weekends, plus juggles being mom, working, surfing, house renovation, and gardening. She lives with her husband, two children, and cats on Vashon Island, just off the coast of Seattle in Washington State.
Kirsti Scott, Collector ⚓️
Kirsti is an artist, designer, and lifelong beachcomber who lives in California on Monterey Bay. She is the publisher of Beachcombing magazine, is on the ISGA board, and loves to beachcomb wherever she travels. Her collection includes pieces from all over the world many found by her and her husband.
Linda Smith, Collector 🌲
Linda comes from a family of beachcombers who taught her how to find agates and seashells on the shores of Puget Sound and the pristine sandy beaches of the west coast of Vancouver Island. Sea glass collecting came naturally.
Roxie Zwicker ⚓️
Roxie Zwicker started collecting sea glass on the scenic shores of Cape Cod, Massachusetts in the early 1990s, since then she has extensively traveled the New England coast picking up bits of history from historic harbors and seaside villages. Her colorful collection features fragments of 19th century dishware, crockery, pieces from lighting fixtures and even a crystal chandelier drop. Some decorative porcelain artifacts in her collection even washed ashore near the long lost summer home of President Grover Cleveland. Roxie’s unique display is a nod to the maritime trade and traces the evolving coastal history of New England.
Volunteers
The International Sea Glass Association is made possible by our volunteers at the festival, our Community Members, and our Professional Members. Thank you to everyone who has applied to be a volunteer this year.
Sea Glass Contest
The International Sea Glass Association invited collectors to enter their favorite sea and beach glass finds in the Sea Glass Contests.
Our judges awarded winners in the following categories: Find of the Year, Frosted Bottles, Bottle Stopper, Pottery/Ceramics, Unique Find, Historical Find, Marbles/Buttons/Beads, and Vendor Entry. Entry cards are sold at the show on Saturday and Sunday. Each entry must be authentic, unaltered, and found in the body of water named on your entry card. You or someone in your immediate family must have found the item. No purchased items allowed. Winners are announced on Sunday.
18th International Sea Glass Festival, Mystic Seaport Museum
19th International Sea Glass Festival, Seattle Center Fisher Pavilion
Thank you to our generous sponsors
A portion of the proceeds from ISGA events are donated to local non-profit organizations.
The International Sea Glass Festival is held in different locations around the United States. We welcome Professional Members from all over the world to participate. It is an opportunity for our Professional Members to meet other sea and beach glass enthusiasts, for beachcombers to learn from our lecture series, and for ISGA to further its mission to educate the public about real sea and beach glass. Past festivals have been held in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Learn more about past Sea Glass Festivals ›