The Tide’s Edge Keepsakes process of pressing seaweed on paper…
 
The beaches and coves of Mid Coast Maine, especially those near my home in Five Islands are where I collect the seaweed I use for my jewelry and collages.
 
After gathering fresh seaweed, I arrange the delicate fronds on wet paper cotton rag paper using brushes and an old favorite chopstick. Some intricate designs can take more than an hour to complete.   

​Once I am happy with a design, the wet paper is placed between blotters and then squished in a press my father made for me. Polysaccharides in the seaweed act like a natural glue and help the seaweed adhere to the paper during the pressing process.  Thankfully there is no need to use glues or resins.
Drying time depends on the humidity level and pieces can take from several days on up to a week to fully dry. The jewel toned colors of the seaweed are naturally vivid and have not been dyed or enhanced.