RARE PHOTOS: Unexpected finds in beach | Rare Historical Photos

Craig and Nicole are masters in mudlarking – searching for hidden treasures in sand, stones, mud and rivers. Their hobby started during one of their first dates. Nicole picked up a few pieces of driftwood, a couple of shells and sea glass as reminders of their time together at the beach in Portobello, just outside Edinburgh. “It all started there!” the couple says.

You can follow Craig & Nicole on Youtube, Instagram, etsy, KoFi, where you can learn about the history of the things they find and watch the items be transformed from beach finds into beautiful jewelry – check out Tilia By The Sea to see Nicole’s sea glass jewelry collection.

Beachcombing can be a real treat for history lovers. “Most of the sea glass that you find is around 100 years old – so every little piece has a story to tell,” the Linds tell us. “It is fascinating to think that tiny details on the sea glass and pottery we find can open up a window on history.”

Some pieces could be storytellers in their own right. “It can be possible to find out where and when these things were made, and, every now and then, we find a piece that tells a much more personal story about the maker, their life and philanthropic works. Of course, some of the stories we uncover are a little darker,” the mudlarkers admit.

Another reason to love beachcombing is the aesthetic element. "It really sparks our creativity – we love the Japanese idea of Wabi Sabi – the beauty in broken and imperfect things – it's why sea glass makes such beautiful jewelry," say Craig and Nicole.

"Plus, it is just amazing to think about how this glass was shaped by countless tides – how it was transformed from a broken bottle into the beautiful gems we find in the sand!"

So what exactly can people find when beachcombing? Most people just look for pretty rocks and sea glass when they walk around the beach, but real enthusiasts can find some real treasures. “We find all sorts of things – nice and nasty – when we’re beachcombing,” Craig says.

“One of Nicole's most interesting and cherished finds is a 1920s Art Deco Czech-made Christmas cracker charm – it's a sausage dog, but very sea worn and smooth, so more like a sausage than a dog these days, but a very rare and special find.”

However, these seasoned enthusiasts also enjoy a pretty rock or two – the simpler finds. “Nicole also really loves to find marbles – especially, so-called Codd Marbles,” the Scottish mudlarkers tell us.

“These were used as a kind of stopper, inside bottles, made to withstand the pressure of fizzy drinks. The truly fascinating thing about them is that children used to break these bottles so they could play with the marbles!”

“That was over 100 years ago and we still find these wee treasures on the beach today, though they are now really rare. It’s just amazing to think that the marble you find on a beach was once at the center of a game played by children over 100 years ago!” the couple marvels at the possibilities of the hobby.

Nicole and Craig list some other items that people can find at the beach: colorful buttons; beautiful glass beads; shards of Uranium glass (it glows under UV light); Victorian Pudding dolls, known as Frozen Charlottes; sometimes people even find intricately patterned pottery.

There’s all manner of bottle stoppers beachcombers come across: glass ones, ceramic ones, and some made with an early type of plastic, called vulcanite. The couple says that all of these are only scratching the surface of possibilities of what one can find when beachcombing!

However, not all finds are winners. “I guess plastics are the most obvious nasty thing to find on a beach,” the mudlarkers say. “We’d encourage everyone to pick up and recycle what they can… But even plastic can be a kind of treasure!”

Nicole says she’s been making beach art from the plastic she and Craig find at the beach. “It is really remarkable how you can take something that is so damaging to the environment and transform it into something beautiful that you can hang in your home and take joy from,” she says.

Nicole also thinks of the ecosystems of the places they visit so often. “It's also really rewarding to know that every piece of plastic that I use to make art can no longer do any harm to the wildlife we love to see when we’re off beachcombing.”

Do you feel like beachcombing is starting to grow on you? Craig and Nicole have lots of tips for people who are wanting to get into the hobby of looking for treasures at the beach. “Our first tip would be to check your tide times – both to avoid disappointment and for safety!”

“Also, look out for regular shapes – nature doesn’t make straight lines, so anything like that is probably made by human hands – clay pipe stems, marbles, old tiles, all have regular features!”

Although it may seem counterintuitive – after all, you’re probably looking to spend some time away from screens – Craig and Nicole say that technology is your friend. “Always take your phone,” they advise. “You never know when you might need it – not least for taking pictures of wonderfully rare finds!”

"But, again, safety first," Craig and Nicole say. "In some places, the tide can come in near to shore, leaving you stranded on a sandbank! It’s never happened to us, but we know that the coast guards are called out regularly to rescue unwary visitors to a beach in a neighboring town."

Safety is also extremely important when looking for items in the mud. "Stay away from the mud unless you really know what you are doing," the Linds warn us. “"It can be very deep and extremely difficult to get out of without several strong companions and a long rope."

The mudlarking couple encourages new enthusiasts to prioritize themselves. “Pick up what you fancy, and just relax and enjoy yourself surrounded by the beauty of nature! Beachcombing is about the experience, breathing the sea air, listening to the waves and focusing your mind, and it's good for the soul!”

The golden rule less is more can also be applied here. “Beachcombing is fun because there are lots of interesting things to find, so try to take what you really want and not just everything you can see,” Nicole and Craig say. 

“That way, there will always be more to find when you come back and there will be things for others to enjoy too. Unless it's plastic, feel free to take as much of that as you can!”