About this project
About SeaweedArt
I create a line of printed greeting by pressed seaweed collages. Currently I have two sets of assorted designs and I would like to expand my product offerings to include prints for home decor, holiday themed cards, journals and other stationery items. SeaweedArt was recently featured in the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Here are some greeting card designs I have planned for the holidays-- a "sea lettuce" Christmas tree and a "kelp" menorah. To create them I pressed seaweed onto paper, took a photograph and then digitally enhanced it to make it look like a tree or menorah. To learn more about how to press seaweed, please click here.
I need funding for product development that will cover the cost of graphic design, website development and printing.
If I reach my goal of $15,000, the money will be spent as follows:
- $3000 for graphic design
- $3000 for website development
- $9000 for printing
Below are examples of my original presssed SeaweedArt collages that will be given as rewards in exchange for your pledges.
Set of 4 matted originals
Set of 2 matted originals
FAQ
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I was already interested in creating art with nature. I used to press flowers, herbs and leaves and use them to decorate glass bottles and wine glasses. One day I read an article in a magazine on how to press seaweed and I was hooked.
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At Pleasure Point, which is a popular surfing spot in Santa Cruz. I love visiting the tide pools at low tide. There are so many different varieties of seaweed there and lots of fascinating sea creatures like sea anemone and hermit crabs. It is a very peaceful and serene place.
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Pretty soon, within the next day or two. Once the seaweed is outside its natural habitat, it can start to decay pretty quickly.
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Hard to say. I like them all, but if I had to pick, I guess it would be Turkish Tongue. It is a rough textured purple tongue shaped specimen that somehow just conjures up some interesting imagery in my mind.
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Yes, there are. First, you must stay away from protected areas like state parks and preserves. Secondly, there are limits to how much you can take per day, usually around 10lbs. Also, you must avoid taking certain specimens like sea grass and elephant grass. And finally, you must a have a fishing license.
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This a multi step process which I describe on my website: http://seaweedart.com/2011/04/the-process/
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
31
Backers
$2,567
pledged of $15,000 goal
0
seconds to go
Funding Unsuccessful
This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal 2 days ago.
Pledge $1 or more Pledge $1 or more
You will receive a Thank You message on my blog with a mention of your name and a link to your website.
Pledge $25 or more Pledge $25 or more
Receive a SeaweedArt greeting card suitable for framing.
Pledge $50 or more Pledge $50 or more
Receive a set of six SeaweedArt greeting cards.
Pledge $100 or more Pledge $100 or more
Receive two sets of six SeaweedArt greeting cards, one set each from the Tidepool and Pleasure Point assortments.
Pledge $250 or more Pledge $250 or more
Receive an original matted SeaweedArt pressed seaweed collage.
Pledge $500 or more Pledge $500 or more
Receive a set of two original matted SeaweedArt pressed seaweed collages.
Pledge $1,000 or more Pledge $1,000 or more
Receive a set of four original matted SeaweedArt pressed seaweed collages.
Project By
Connected as Beth Powanda Shady (562 friends)
I am a nature artist and ocean lover living in Santa Cruz, CA. My favorite medium is seaweed, which I press onto paper to create unique, abstract collages.
I first fell in love with the ocean as a child spending my summers in Cape May, NJ. As an adult, I was lucky to move to the world famous surf town of Santa Cruz, CA. Here in this temperate climate I gardened year round and took up the hobby of pressing flowers. When I discovered you could do the same thing with seaweed I was hooked.
I believe that nature and art meet when the variety of seaweed’s colors, shapes and textures naturally lend themselves to artistic expression. SeaweedArt is a gift from the sea. I hope that by sharing my love of the sea with others, they too will experience my passion for the sea.
