The first float finder of Jekyll Island’s 2009 Island Treasure promotion is Eric and Deborah Stevens from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. Staying at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, the couple read about Island Treasures in Jekyll Island’s Beachscape Newsletter.

“Island Treasures on Jekyll Island” is a unique treasure hunting experience on Georgia’s most popular public beach. The treasures are hand-crafted glass floats, called Island Treasures. The glass floats have been sought after by Jekyll Island guests since 2002. Each is unique and stamped with the year to be a collector’s item for the lucky beachcomber who finds one.

Island Treasures mimic glass floats once used on the fishing nets of fishermen in the early 1900s. The floats would sometimes break loose and wash ashore for lucky beachcombers to find and keep. Collecting these glass floats became a hobby in the 1950′s, declined as commercial fishing moved to plastic and Styrofoam floats. Glass fishing floats became rarer and are highly sought after and very valuable today.

During January and February, the Jekyll Island Authority recreates this hunt-and-find experience is recreated. The glass float treasures are the works of commissioned artists from across the country. “Beach Buddies” hide them along the shore line every day for lucky visitors to find and keep. Treasure finders can register their Island Treasure at the Jekyll Island Visitor Information Center to receive a bio on the artist and a certificate of authenticity. The Jekyll Island Visitor Information Center has Island Treasure floats and an array of the other colorful glass creations for purchase in-store or online at www.jekyllisland.com/islandtreasures.

Since the promotion began six years ago, over 1,000 glass floats have been found by guests from across the U.S., Canada and England. Jekyll Island floats are collector’s items and can be occasionally found on auction sites like eBay.

Those who are unable to visit Jekyll Island can participate in a virtual treasure hunt on www.jekyllisland.com. Search the website for small, hidden Island Treasure pictures. The first person to click on one will win an actual Island Treasure that will be shipped to them.

Tags: Beachcombing on Jekyll Island, Georgia Coat, glass floats, island treasures, jekyll island, jekyll island beach, jekyll island convention center, Jekyll Island Events, jekyll island golf, jekyll island hotels, Jekyll Island Island Treasures, Winter vacations on the Georgia Coast
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Pyromania
Pyromania, located in beautiful Newport, Oregon, is a family business. Husband and wife, Dennis & Patricia Schmitz, and their daughters, Jessica and Andrea, work together to create glass floats. Each colorful orb is individually crafted with the same techniques that have been used for 2000 years to create glass art pieces that celebrate the spirit of beachcombing. Each Pyromania float has the Studio’s name and the year engraved near the plug. These collectible floats are lively, bright, and multicolored pieces of art.

Mark Ellinger
Mark Ellinger is a professional glass artist and a native of the Puget Sound area of Washington State In 1998 Mark built and founded “Glass Quest” his own modern glass blowing studio in rural Stanwood, Washington. Mark’s unique designs are inspired by his love of the Art Nouveau period and the beautiful surroundings of Puget Sound.

Leaning Glass Studios
Together, husband and wife team — Jennifer and Paul Steinke — make up the glass blowing team of Leaning Glass Studios. For over 20 years, Paul has been creating unique glasswork. To date, Paul has produced over 3500 glass ornaments, multiple vases and dishes, and fused glass pieces. Paul’s wife Jennifer began working with glass in 2000. Under the study of Eddie and Barbara Streeter, she learned that everything in glass making is HOT! Jennifer works on producing unique bowls and vases.

Treasure’d Glass
Treasure Collupy was born and raised in Skamokawa, Washington. After attending two years of college, he yearned for a change. On a trip home from Seattle, he went into a local “hot shop” where, by twist of fate, he was asked to help. After a couple hours of assisting, he was addicted. Three months later, Treasure quit his job and moved back to Skamokawa to learn the art of glassblowing!

Fern Hill Glass
Claude Kurtz was born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Claude uses dichroic glass and lots of bright, pure and often reactive colors. He enjoys experimenting with colors to create different and often unexpected results.

Tags: art glass, beach treasure, beachcombing, blown glass, coastal georgia treasure, fishing floats, glass art pieces, glass floats, golden isles events, island treasures, Jekyll Island Events, Jekyll Island Treasures, leaning glass studios, mark ellinger, pyromania, treasure hunting, treasure'd glass
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