ISGA is a non-profit organiz is a non-profit organization positively supporting sea and beach glass collectors and the beachcombing community through festivals, information, educational opportunities, membership, and more.
We are pleased to offer brand-new Genuine versus Artificial postcards for Professional Members to distribute to customers and colleagues.
These colorful cards have information about how to distinguish real from fake sea and beach glass, and a message to purchase from ISGA members so customers know the glass they are buying is real. Including a card with each purchase is a great way to educate collectors about authentic sea and beach glass and promote the ISGA Mission.
The two-sided card has room on the back for a short message, address, and stamp. Professional Members can order these free postcards to mail, include in your packages, or hand out in person.
Distribution of these postcards is by ISGA Professional Members only.
The International Sea Glass Association (ISGA) was founded in 2006 as a non-profit organization supporting sea and beach glass collectors and the beachcombing community through festivals, information, educational opportunities, membership, and more.
We are currently accepting applications for Professional Memberships. ISGA is the only professional association whose mission is to support artists and collectors with festivals, programs, and educational information about sea and beach glass. ISGA Members can connect with sea and beach glass enthusiasts, collectors, experts, and other professional artisans. Your membership gives you the opportunity to apply for the annual sea glass festival hosted by ISGA in locations around the United States. And your support allows us to create educational opportunities, bring together our sea and beach glass community, and donate to causes that protect our world’s waterways.
Annual dues are $200 and include a range of benefits.
Benefits of Professional Membership:
The opportunity to promote your membership on ISGA’s website and use the Professional Member logo in your marketing materials, on your website, and in your online and offline shop
Banner ad, bio, and web link on the International Sea Glass Association Members page
Promotion on ISGA Instagram and Facebook pages
Direct connection to ISGA Community Members through the private Facebook member group, members discounts, and members-only events.
Opportunity to apply to participate in the International Sea Glass Association Festival
Invitation to members-only events and meetings
ISGA logo merchandise
Use of ISGA marketing materials, including postcards, bookmarks, educational materials, and the Genuine versus Artificial information to use at festivals and in your shop.
We are always working to develop new initiatives, events, and programs to enhance your ISGA membership experience. Please contact us any time with your ideas for new community and networking opportunities, educational initiatives, workshops, virtual events, volunteer experiences, and other ways we can help add value to your ISGA membership.
We hope you will consider applying or re-applying for Professional Membership in 2023.
If you are not a part of a sea or beach glass business, consider joining as an ISGA Community Member. If you are already a member, thank you for being part of ISGA!
I am honored and proud to be leading the International Sea Glass Association as the incoming President. Thank you to the Board of Directors for trusting me in this new journey and current members for being part of this unique organization. To new members, welcome! You were all selected because of your expertise and talent, and we have no doubt you will represent ISGA’s mission professionally. We have a busy year ahead of us and I look forward to working together with everyone to achieve our goals and continue to grow our organization.
Sea glass has been part of my family for almost 25 years. At first, we would bring all these little pieces home from our walks at the beach in Puerto Rico just to fill decorative containers at home. We knew what sea glass was but did not realize there was a large community surrounding it. We started to learn more about sea glass and met other amazing collectors from the mainland who would regularly visit us for beachcombing. Little did I know this would be the beginning of an amazing ride for me.
In 2015 I started my business Silver Coquí Sea Glass. I started making jewelry, but my focus became more centered on art using genuine sea glass from the beach I grew up on. The first festival I visited was Kim Hannon’s St. Michaels Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival. I was excited to see a large sea glass community all in one place. Not long after, I learned about the International Sea Glass Association (ISGA), (previously National Sea Glass Association, NASGA) where Kim served as president. I joined the Association in 2019 and then the Board of Directors in 2021 as the Treasurer.
Kim has been a great leader and contributor to the Sea Glass Association for nearly 10 years. She will be missed not only by the Board, but by all ISGA members and the community of sea glass enthusiasts who have appreciated her tireless work to champion education of genuine sea glass. Through her leadership, we have accomplished many things, such as an international expansion, as well as the introduction of our new Community Membership. Kim navigated us through COVID, ensuring the Association ran smoothly. I want to express a heartfelt thank you to Kim for all her support and commitment throughout the years! I will continue, together with the Board of Directors, to follow in her footsteps and expand ISGA’s mission to the fullest.
Warmest wishes to all for a joyful and productive 2023!
All my best,
César Williams-Padín, President, on behalf of the Board of Directors ISGA
In 2009, I opened up my shop, Ophiuroidea, and in 2010 started a sea glass festival in St. Michaels, Maryland. Soon after that, I learned of the North American Sea Glass Association and knew I wanted to be a member to support the mission of the organization. After that, I was approached by a few board members to throw my hat in the ring to be on the board. I knew I had wanted to volunteer somehow, and being a part of the board seemed the best way to help. Over the years I have worked with so many amazing artists, authors, and founding members of the organization, and feel blessed to have been a part of such an amazing sea glass family.
I’ve learned so much over the past 8 years being on the board, many years as NASGA/ISGA President. The organization has seen growth, a name change from the North American Sea Glass Association to the International Sea Glass Association, and most recently, we added a new Community Membership, which will expand our sea glass community and mission even further. It’s all very exciting!
Ever since I said yes to being on the board, I have worked tirelessly to spread sea glass love, and to cultivate an appreciation for what we represent and our mission. I will miss the monthly board meetings and organizing the festivals, but it’s time to step down and retire as President. It will be an empty feeling for a while, after being on the board such a long time, but I feel good knowing that ISGA is in the very capable hands of the ISGA Board of Directors. I am very excited about our new incoming President Cesar Williams-Padin, Vice President Denise Troy, Treasurer Suzanne Hunter, and Secretary Kirsti Scott. Dottie Gilbo, Holly L’Hommedieu, and Kaya-Alexandria Worthington are returning and we are welcoming Tammy Thatcher to the board of directors next year.
I absolutely loved working with Roxann, Steve, and the dozens of festival volunteers through the years, and will continue to be an active supporter of our organization and the sea glass community. I look forward to attending the ISGA festivals, including the highly anticipated one this summer in Mystic! Can’t wait!
I am forever grateful for the friends I’ve made along the way and feel good knowing that the International Sea Glass Association will continue to grow and be around for fellow sea glass artisans, authors, and collectors around the globe.
Thank you for your continued support and friendship over the years!
The International Sea Glass Association is pleased to announce its return to New England by hosting the 17th Annual Festival July 29-30, 2023, on the Village Green of the Mystic Seaport Museum in Mystic, Connecticut.
A summer visit to the nation’s #1 maritime museum, talented artists and craftspeople, knowledgeable speakers, the sea glass contest, and an opportunity to connect with fellow sea glass enthusiasts will make for an unforgettable weekend. Admission to the Museum covers admission to the Festival, and a one-day ticket can be validated to enter a second day to enjoy the Museum and the Festival to its fullest.
