Beachcomber Interview: Fiona Dart
Fiona Dart has an extensive and enviable stash of sea glass. While she has been a serious collector for more than 20 years, she admits she’s only been “hard core” for the past 4 years, happily and fruitfully scouring the shores of Tasmania, an isolated island off the southern coast of Australia. Dart prefers to strike in the morning, though regularly also combs the beaches with friends at other times of day. “My house resembles a museum. I should open it up to the public really,” says Dart, more prideful than apologetically.
“Every time I go to my beach I always have an amazing time. I am very very lucky and I never take this for granted. Just recently my friends and I shared a lovely moment with a pod of dolphins who were literally about 20 metres away from us in the water. It was a magical moment, and one which I will never forget.”
She has gifted dear friends with some of the mosaic sea pottery hearts that she had made over the years. And recently, her husband has made some driftwood sea boxes that she fills with treasure and sells to Instagram friends as well as a local Tasmanian gift shop who pride themselves on showcasing and selling Tasmanian Artisan’s work. Thus, she added driftwood to the items she collects and hauls back home on a daily basis.
“I am totally addicted and obsessed with beach-combing. The feeling of anticipation as I walk into my happy place is on an extreme level and the thrill of the find leaves me totally exhilarated. I am clearly besotted with this hobby and with the happy endorphin analgesic effect that this produces,” explains Dart.”I am sure my fellow seaglassers would agree with me. My husband thinks I am slightly eccentric but I am the type of person who demonstrates an addictive personality and I couldn’t think of any other pursuit that I would rather be doing. Beats going to the gym any day. I have reached an age in my life where I have found my ‘happy’. I am one of the lucky ones.”
Connect with Fiona on Instagram: @fifi3058.
View more Tasmanian beach glass stoppers from Fiona's collection
Read about sea glass stoppers in Fiona's collection ›
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This article appeared in the Glassing Magazine July/August 2018 issue.
