I was after the perfect bag for my new addiction - sea glass collecting.
Like most people, I started off using my pockets. Every pocket in my jacket to my jeans. But soon those got too full (and even developed holes much to my dismay!).
So then I moved to using recycled plastic bags. But unseen tears led to the heart ache of lost gems not to mention the annoying issue of dealing with wet plastic bags and sand being dragged into the house.
I searched for something that would be more ideal and eco-friendly to support this obsession. I soon came across a durable plastic mesh bag tucked away in the toiletries section of a shop. It was simple and ugly but it did the trick of collecting all my beach combing finds relatively safe whilst keeping the sand out.
That's when my idea started to formulate. Why not create an even more practicable bag that could not only hold lots of beach combing gems and necessities but also keep my treasures safe.
I wanted to create something waterproof that could easily hold at least 1lb, fit my flip flops during summer and even my dog leash. I needed something that could fit tiny sea glass but at the same time keep the fine sand out.
I needed something that I could zip up so that I could swim to and from my secret beach without the fear of losing anything. Or for those times when I was in the water searching and couldn't risk any waves crashing on me and having my sea glass fall out.
I needed something that I could easily hold on my wrist or wear across my chest or waist so that my hands were free to pick up gems.
I wanted something that I could easily dip into the water or hose off to wash the sand away, yet dry quickly soon after.
Something lightweight that could be easily folded and placed in my pocket.
That is what I needed, and so that is what I created.
Yoake [yo-a-keh] is the first edition of the Reverse.Gem Beach combing Bag. Yoake [夜明け] in Japanese means "Dawn". This indigo bag represents those early morning beach combing walks when the sun is just slowly starting to rise through the dark blue horizon. There is just no better way to start the day!
