Lewisetta Seaglass
Helen Scerbo of Lewisetta Seaglass also makes lapel pins from polished oyster shells.
Helen Scerbo has collected sea glass for over twenty years. “When I started collecting the sea glass, I didn’t have a plan around what I would do with it. I just liked the way it looked and how it reflected light,” says Helen. “Four years ago I decided to do something with my collection. So I started to experiment with creating jewelry and suncatchers and incorporating the sea glass as the main decorative element. People seem to like what I’ve done. I sell it under the name Lewisetta Seaglass.”
Helen and her husband Mark purchased Lewisetta Marina as newlyweds over twenty-eight years ago. They’ve raised two children in a comfortable home near the marina that’s located on a point of land where the Kingscote Creek meets the Coan River and then flows into the Potomac River. During the off-season Helen has more free time to pursue her creative interests. Last fall, inspired by news of the establishment of a Virginia Oyster Trail, she started working with oyster shells. First, Helen cleaned and polished the shells. Then, she painted a gold leaf line around the rim of the shells. Next, she sealed the shells and attached faux pearls for interest. And finally, she adhered a pin to the back of each shell so it could be worn as a lapel pin. Much to Helen’s surprise, she sold over 500 oyster pins last November and December, many as Christmas gifts. “The oyster lapel pins tell a story. People seem to want items that reflect our Northern Neck lifestyle,” says Helen. “What could be more perfect than oyster shell jewelry? They are small treasures.”
This article appeared in the Summer 2015 issue of The Local Scoop Magazine, pg. 17.
