Hannah Elspeth Marshall, a.k.a. beachSHACKproject, lives and works in Brighton, where she collects flotsam and jetsam from the beach for her handcrafted jewellery. Although it didn’t begin as a recycling project, her pieces have grown from the idea of taking objectionable elements and altering them so that they become objects of desire. She uses the beach as a platform for gathering new ideas and materials — never seeing what she finds as rubbish, but instead as unfinished components.
Hannah is passionate about Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) — a UK-based non-profit organisation that campaigns for clean and safe recreational waters. She donates 15% from each sale of her reclaimed nylon pieces to the cause, cleverly turning this non-biodegradable “marine litter” into colourful, upcycled jewellery. Visit the Beach Shack Project website and blog for more inspiration and info.
Charmed by her unusual creative process and photographic style, I asked Hannah to share a visual journal of a day in her life. Join us on a journey through the lens of beachSHACKproject from dawn till dusk…
Good morning! I live in a flat in beautiful Regency Square, right by the sea in Brighton. This is what I see when I get up. I cannot function without tea. I usually have Lady Grey and soya milk whilst checking my emails.
I work from the spare room in my flat and have lots of inspiration around. On the left is a heap of my hemp necklaces, and at right are some of my cameras and random dachshund ornaments. I am obsessed with dachshunds — my mum has a standard smooth called Buster and he is so cute! The sausage dog picture is by my best friend Gemma Austen.
My windowsill, top left, and a piece of driftwood that looks like a seal, below right. I love Eric Ennion’s illustrations, and the white book is by one of my favourite jewellers, Enric Majoral. I have read Seal Morning far too many times to remember. It makes me sad that Rowena Farre only wrote three books.
I have a custom order today for four drilled sea pottery pendants. I’m also drilling some extra pieces for some fishermen’s rope bangles. I use an old terracotta bowl and submerge the pieces in water, then drill them using an old Dremel I nicked off my dad, which has a diamond tipped drill point.
Next I have some knitting to do. I’m currently making some pieces for Corduroy, a surf gallery and boutique in Portland, Maine. I use a normal knitting dolly, with organic hemp instead of wool. Grandmas always stop me at craft fairs to say they used to make streams and streams of knitted rope when they were children, but never knew what to do with it!
Late in the afternoon my sister, Livvy, and I go to the marina to do some beach-combing. If you want sea glass, your best bet is to search between the two piers, but today we are on the scavenge for plastic and nylon. It’s always a great place for beach-combing, as there is a lot of litter and waste that get deposited on the beach.
We’re off home, and on the way spot a very cute baby seagull. We managed to collect loads of discarded fishing nylon and bits of sea plastic for my jewellery making. It helps clear up the beaches, as nylon and plastic can be detrimental to the ecosystem, for both the animals that live there and the people who use the beach. I am currently working with Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) by donating a percentage of any sales from the reclaimed nylon jewellery I make.
It’s my mate’s birthday tonight. Steve and I went out for a meal, so I stuff my face with mushroom and goat cheese calzone! I love Italian food so much, I could eat it every day. Then it’s off home for another cup of Earl Grey tea before bed. Goodnight.
A big thanks to Hannah for sharing her day with us! Discover some of her gorgeous beach-inspired jewellery in the Seller’s Items below.
76 comments
Sign in to add your ownLittleWrenPottery says:
Great project love all the photos! Its great to see things that could be littering up our beaches made into something useful! Also I love baby seagulls too : )
1 year ago
Artistico says:
amity wow what is this ? great a fantastic post again from you:) wow i love it :) She uses the beach as a platform for gathering new ideas and materials .... I love this idea :) A+++++++
1 year ago
KatieEula says:
Wow. You have some very beautiful pieces. Amazing photography too. Thanks for the post! :-)
1 year ago
caradesigns says:
Cool! I love the idea of taking old things that nobody wants and making them new. I've always thought that many things we throw away have uses if we would just look a little bit. The baby seagull sounds adorable; wish I could have seen him. I bet he was happy you were cleaning up his beach!
1 year ago
AllthingsWood says:
What better way to come up with really unique and chic! Love it all.
1 year ago
gumbygirl says:
This is right up my alley. Beauty from trash!
1 year ago
kclarkphotography says:
Sounds like a lovely day. How great is it that you can live,create and contribute so close to home.
1 year ago
DappleGrey says:
such a great article< and gorgeous items also
1 year ago
DappleGrey says:
gorgeous
1 year ago
lilycobweb says:
You are a most amazing artist, Elspeth! Your art and your ethos are seamless. It was a pleasure to read about you and be inspired:)
1 year ago
SeaFindDesigns says:
So excited to see this article... I love Beach Shack, they keep themselves fresh and unique!!
1 year ago
lissionetsy says:
lovely concept and gorgeous products! thanks for sharing :)
1 year ago
vintageitville says:
What a nice article. I live by a great lake. I just love searching for bits of treasure. My coffee table is covered with many finds. I have made a few creations, but this inspires me all the more. thanks.
1 year ago
lovelygifts says:
Great story and beautiful pieces!
1 year ago
pinksnakejewelry says:
Great article! Love the photos and dialogue/interview combination! Beautiful creative pieces!
1 year ago
VintageEye says:
This combines some of my favorite things. The ocean, finding random objects, photography, dachshunds & food! Fantastic!
1 year ago
DrCraze says:
A very nice read, I love your pieces!
1 year ago
beachglassshop says:
thank you for sharing!
1 year ago
mazedasastoat says:
Love the different designs of wire wrapping. Here in the UK we should ALL be looking after the sea... none of us live far enough away from it to be able to ignore it.
1 year ago
DecoFamara says:
Cool. Thanks for sharing :D
1 year ago
uncorked says:
I love Hannah and this article!! I wish I could beach scavage everyday!
1 year ago
breadandroses2 says:
How wonderful that you're near the sea and you're doing your small part to clean up some of the man-made efluvia that harms our most vulnerable, water dependent creatures. Good job! Your work is lovely. Thanks for sharing your story!
1 year ago
BayMoonDesign says:
I love your projects and ideals. My jewelry has nautical themes and I use reclaimed materials also.
1 year ago
laralewis says:
lovely photos!
1 year ago
DarkBluebell says:
Love the day out in Brighton. Great styling and jewellery. Off to look at the shop.
1 year ago
LMphotography says:
lovely jewelry! Very inspiring what you are doing!
1 year ago
akcArt says:
Great story, love her jewelry! Definitely will check out her shop!
1 year ago
accentonvintage says:
Thanks for helping the oceans! You are very creative! Wish you the best!!
1 year ago
polkadotmagpie says:
Such dreamy pictures, what a beautiful tale.
1 year ago
Evajune says:
Your Jewelry is so pretty. I love your pictures.
1 year ago
treasurebooth says:
Refreshing to see such unique photographs. I live near water and love the hunt for beach treasures as well :)
1 year ago
IStandConnected says:
Love the photos - How wonderful to harvest the beach and then come home and play with it. Sounds very therapeutic.
1 year ago
RainyPenguinVintage says:
Thanks so much for sharing. Beautiful necklaces! Jeanne Rainy Penguin Vintage
1 year ago
chainchainchained says:
lovely stuff!
1 year ago
KettleConfections says:
I've always been amazed with the beautiful sea glass and shells you can find by the beach. I really admire the beautiful jewelry I see here- great job!
1 year ago
jewellerytreasures says:
great idea and beautiful work
1 year ago
cherryshop says:
Great cause to help - and pretty jewellery!
1 year ago
SweetandDandyVintage says:
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing! Treasure hunting is so much fun...especially on the beach! Have a Sweet and Dandy day! ~Jess
1 year ago
brideblu says:
Love this pictorial glimpse into the life of a fellow etsian!!! Super cool article :)
1 year ago
missficklemedia says:
I love this woman! What a beautiful life she has created and I enjoyed hearing all the details in a typical day! Off to check out Surfers Against Sewage....
1 year ago
MelroseFields says:
Wonderful project and the photos were great!
1 year ago
jbeaudet says:
I love this idea! Funny, I thought flotsam and jetsam were just names from the Little Mermaid!:)
1 year ago
simplyworn says:
very colorful piece... enjoyed the read and respect what this artist is doing...
1 year ago
Jusadreamin says:
Great work seems like a wonderful life, Thanks for sharing.
1 year ago
bellasparty says:
Great article. Love the photos!
1 year ago
CinnamonJewellery says:
Great feature! I live up the road from Brighton but have never thought of the beach as a source of materials for making jewellery. A fantastic idea :D
1 year ago
LuRuUniques says:
What a nice article. Great photos. Thabnks for sharing your day with us.
1 year ago
Earthystyle says:
this is SO. COOL. love this post and the items!
1 year ago
ZenAndCoffee says:
Lovely! What an awesome article! Thank you for sharing this! Its inspiring! ~Wren ZenAndCoffee.etsy.com Arm Warmers & Fingerless Gloves for all seasons & styles! <3
1 year ago
gothB4play says:
Wonderful article and love the concept of recycled Arts, making something loved instead of throwing something away to lie in a landfill.
1 year ago
AutumnJo says:
Great photos and beautiful work! Thank you for sharing :)
1 year ago
heidiadnum says:
Lovely. Thanks, gals.
1 year ago
evertonterrace says:
Very inspiring. I really enjoyed this article. It's fun to see the "day in the life of". I'm also fascinated by the baby seagull. My husband and I were just saying you never see baby seagulls or pigeons. Guess we were wrong.
1 year ago
DanceLikeIts1492 says:
Beautiful images! Thanks for sharing!
1 year ago
fullcircleimages says:
How inspirational! I love that beautiful jewelry is made from other people's trash, and our planet and wildlife is helped along the way. Keep up the great work!
1 year ago
PaintedHorse says:
Ah, what a lovely read! Beautiful designs. Thank you for sharing.
1 year ago
ikabags says:
Formidable !
1 year ago
artofjane says:
I love sea glass. Love the necklaces made from it. Love the fact that beachshackproject is helping clean up the world!
1 year ago
KMalinka says:
great images and design!
1 year ago
LeafandInk says:
This is so beautiful!!!! Our hearts are connected to our water world and the land. We are saddened by all that is neglected on our planet. Thank you to all who are cautious and recycle/up cycle and rejuvenate this precious place we all live. Come play a role in helping our wildlife in the Gulf Coast who have been so tragically effected by the BP Oil Spill. Join us in doing what we can at LeafandInk even in a small way! All proceeds from the sale of 'Save the Pelican-Protect our Wildlife' will be directly donated to help our animal friends! That's 100% of proceeds!!! http://www.etsy.com/listing/51776794/save-the-pelican Come visit us no matter where u live in this big world! http://www.etsy.com/shop/LeafandInk Check out our blog and become a part of our LeafandInk family! http://leafandink.wordpress.com/ (SUBSCRIBE!) We cant wait to get to know you!
1 year ago
HeartfeltLetters says:
I visited Brighton years ago, and still have great memories of that city. It was nice to see a designer's work so intimately tied to this magical place!
1 year ago
cutcopycreate says:
wonderful photographs!
1 year ago
staceykoenig says:
great story! love the concept and jewelry.
1 year ago
PaperPicker says:
I love how you wrap all the stones differently.
1 year ago
Yarns says:
beautiful and lovely wirework.
1 year ago
themarketintheglen says:
This is one of the most beautiful articles yet. The photographs remind me of all those over-exposed pictures my parents took in the 70's. What I love the most is how she turns something undesired into something really awesome and functional (in the way that wearable art fulfills a function). This is the most inspiring craftivism I have seen in a while. It makes me want to turn my Dover beach glass and chalk into something more than a shelf-sitter!
1 year ago
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1 year ago
donebydigits says:
I love how she spends her day. those are amazing photos? Are those from a Holga?
1 year ago
CrazyAngelArt says:
Love, Love, Love you and your imaginative recycling ideas. My etsy shop is all about recycling...it is so important to use what already exists or has been discarded...Keep up your amazing work and thank you for creating with a green heart...as always..PeaCe. "The GREENEST item is the one that already EXISTS"
1 year ago
bhangtiez says:
Really cool & what a great story....thank u 4 sharing u'r dayz........
1 year ago
mysweetstitch says:
You make me home sick for the ocean!
1 year ago
Parachute425 says:
Beautiful work. Love the pictures.
1 year ago
whimhandmadejewelry says:
These are beautiful -- what a great idea! The environment is a growing issue that many shortsighted people choose to ignore, so I'm glad to see that artists everywhere are starting to work toward environmental causes!
1 year ago
JeansVintageCloset says:
rush of the oceans tranqual waters is soothing to many artists, this is a wonderful article
1 year ago
PRIDASH says:
beautiful pictures. really inspiring.
1 year ago
BanglewoodSupplies says:
Nice images!
1 year ago