San Clemente sits on the shore of the Pacific Ocean at the Southernmost point of Orange County in Southern California. The climate is temperate and mild. Despite this the Pacific Ocean swells which cross thousands of miles of open ocean create extremely powerful tides, currents, and waves shaping this area and the materials I find.

Everything I use is sourced from within 10 miles of San Clemente at public locations where limited collecting is allowed. What I use are the skeletons of dead animals that nature is reclaiming and biodegrading. Absolutely no living animals are ever taken. For example, the California Green Abalone is a critically endangered species and it is illegal to take a live abalone under any circumstances. Every abalone shell I have ever collected was empty when I found it washed up in the rocks or laying on the beach. In every case, had I not picked that shell up at that moment, it would have been reduced to sand within days or weeks in the powerful Pacific waves that pound the coast. Hopefully, the fragments of abalone shell I use and preserve will increase awareness about a creature on the verge of extinction. I take a little and leave much behind. That is what I mean by ethically sourced material.

Sea glass is trash glass from any source that has been dumped into the ocean. Over time, the glass breaks down as it is smashed against rocks and the beach. Some pieces of glass begin to wear down and become rounded as they tumble in the sand and rocks. The edges disappear, the colors mute, and the glass develops a unique patina. What was trash is transformed into a jewel that we call sea glass.

Unfortunately, some unscrupulous people sell as “sea glass” what is actually scrap industrial glass that has been artificially aged and patinated so that it resembles true sea glass. I will never use that glass. Every single piece of sea glass I use, I bent down and picked up on a local beach. I did nothing to alter it other than to integrate the natural form into a piece of jewelry. I value the idea of turning what was trash into treasure.

Nature provides what I make, not a Chinese reseller. My materials are formed by the sea, the sand, and the ocean. That process leaves marks and scars that are part of what makes these designs unique. A pair of earrings will not have shell pieces that are exactly the same. The surface of abalone which has been attacked by the elements and animals for years will never be perfectly uniform or entirely free of blemishes. Since the sea glass is formed by the ocean and not manufactured, no two pieces are ever the same. San C Designs is about embracing the imperfect beauty of natural materials and enhancing them with the lightest touch possible.

Unless otherwise stated, all of the chains and earrings are made of sterling silver.

I can change the chains or chokers to your preference. It may change the price slightly. Contact me directly about what you desire.

Air plants, also known as epiphytes, are plants that have adapted to live without soil. I use these plants in combination with pieces of found driftwood to create living arrangements.

These plants are extremely hardy. Because they are glued to the wood, they can be misted every 2-3 days or they can be submerged in water for 30 minutes once a week. The wood has been coated in epoxy resin and can therefore be exposed to water without any effect. Do not over water the plants. Commerically available fertilizers can be used in small amounts along with misting. These plants generally like indirect sun or bright light but can tolerate direct sunlight for periods of time. Some of the plants will outgrow the wood display over time. In climates without frost, they can be kept outside.

All air plants will flower eventually if cared for properly and exposed to enough sun. After the plant flowers, it will begin producing smaller plants called pups. They can be easily divided and will grow on their own to flower and produce more plants.

The air plants are glued to the driftwood using food safe glue. A typical hot glue gun or any 6000 type adhesive can be used to reaffix the plant to the wood should the glue fail or you need to divide the plant. Because of their ability to thrive without soil, you can rearrange the air plants however you desire as they grow and reproduce.

Although California Green Abalone is critically endangered, export of the shell foraged from a beach consistent with state law, is not regulated by CITES, an international treaty intended to protect endangered species. Nothing I make involves an animal or a material with any export limitation. Contact me and I can quote you a price on international shipping.