Creative Ways to Combine Sea Glass with Other Materials: Leather, silver, gold, wood , shells and pearls

When I sit down to create with sea glass, I’m always thinking about the beach. To me, beach jewelry has to feel informal, light, and easy to wear, something that fits naturally with sun, sand, and sea. That’s why I like to mix sea glass with materials that share that same spirit.

Leather and suede have become my favorite companions for sea glass. They don’t tarnish or get ruined by salt or sand, and they have this soft, relaxed feeling that makes the jewelry comfortable enough to wear all day. I picture myself tying a suede cord around my neck before heading out for a walk along the beach, that just feels right.

I also love using silver-plated wire to bring out the glow in the glass. It catches the light beautifully, almost like the reflection of sunlight on the water. Lately, I’ve started experimenting with gold-plated wire too, after the suggestion of one of my friends, since it’s very much in style, and people have been loving it. It adds warmth and a touch of trendiness without taking away from the natural beauty of the glass. Even though these pieces look amazing, I usually don’t recommend them for actual beachwear, since the salty air won't be good for them.

Wood and shells on the other hand, feel like sea glass’s natural partners. All have been softened and reshaped by nature, and when I bring them together, it feels like a reunion. I use wood and shells particularly for staging my photos, a piece of glass resting on a weathered wood log surrounded by shells, it’s an instant way to capture that beach vibe I want my jewelry to represent.

And speaking of pearls, they’re another favorite. They blend in so naturally with sea glass, adding gentle tones and a reminder of all those little treasures we bend down to pick up during a walk on the sand. Whether they’re worked into a piece or simply placed beside it for a photo, shells always feel like the finishing touch to the story I want to tell.

For me, combining sea glass with these materials is more than just a design choice, it’s about creating the feeling of the beach in something you can carry with you. Each piece is lighthearted, organic, and connected to the sea in its own way.