Growing up in Cornwall, UK, has meant I have always had easy access to the coast. I have always enjoyed the beach, but my mind gets a bit restless if I am doing nothing, so beachcombing was a natural transitional pastime for me to enjoy. I have always picked up and hoarded stuff, being one of those people preparing for something that hadn’t happened yet, not entirely sure what you would need old bits of pink sea glass or broken kinder surprise toys for, but if you did, you were prepared.
It was only when I was given a shell with some holes already naturally present that I thought it would make a cool necklace, so I then returned to my treasures to see what else would be a good pendant or charm.
That was 8 years ago now, and I now have The Beach Shack Project. I use primarily found objects in my work, but when I first started, to be perfectly honest recycling was not my first concern. I was simply intrigued by peoples reactions to my work, and what you could make using other peoples discarded waste.
My favourite work at the moment involves using reclaimed textiles like fishing nylon, acrylic boat rope, and other random pieces of material, At the moment I am making a cuff out of an old surfboard arm cuff, neon thread, fishing line and pottery for an exhibition about recycled jewellery in Cornwall. Huge matted balls of fishing nylon are now commonplace on beaches, usually having been lost or discarded by fishermen. These balls are not only non-biodegradable, but pose a threat to any wildlife unlucky to get caught up in it.
I collect these tangled balls of nylon and laboriously go about unravelling, unknotting and even reknotting the nylon until I am left with workable strands. These are then washed thoroughly in antibacterial soap so they are squeaky-clean.
I find it a very productive unrestricting way to work, as working with found objects does not limit your creativity but simply fuel it; it makes you think of new ways to do things as you are always working with something different.
Straws and lollipop sticks became beads, discarded balls of nylon became thread or a textile to weave with and sea glass and pottery became beautiful focal points. I like to think outside the box, and hope that people find my work exciting and creative. As I have said on my website, I do not look upon things as rubbish, just an unfinished part of something else.
“Jewellery is always a treasure, and though it may not be made of gold and diamonds, it should still have that sentiment.” Tom Binns.
Hannah Marshall – The Beach Shack Project
www.beachshackproject.co.uk
