Meet OUr 2024 Artists & Vendors
Meet OUr Experts & Collectors
Kirsti Scott
Kirsti Scott is the Editor and Publisher of Beachcombing magazine and the owner of Etched by the Sea. She is on the board of the International Sea Glass Association, founder of Beachcombing Club and the Virtual Beachcombing Festival, and a member of the Sanibel-Captiva Shell Club.
Kirsti is an artist, designer, writer, and lifelong beachcomber. She collected sea glass and seashells on the beaches of Delaware and Sanibel as a child, spent teenage summers beachcombing on Nantucket, and now beachcombs wherever she travels — from California to the Great Lakes to the East Coast to Europe. Her beach destination bucket list includes trips to hunt for fossils in the England, seashell collecting in Japan, and trips to hunt for sea glass in Japan, Australia, Russia, and Europe.
Kirsti lives in California on Monterey Bay with her husband, Matt, a couple of cats, and occasionally their three grown children. She is the founder and Creative Director of Scott Design Inc and a founder and co-organizer of TEDxSantaCruz. A graphic designer and communicator for over 30 years, Kirsti has degrees in Economics from Stanford University and Graphic Design from Rhode Island School of Design.
Kirsti will be available Saturday and Sunday with all our Experts & Collectors!
Scott McKenzie
Scott McKenzie is an Assistant Professor at the Zurn School of Geology at Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA. Boasting over 61 popular and peer-reviewed publications on paleontology and geology, Mr. McKenzie was also a 2021 winner of the “Teaching Excellence Award”. Mr. McKenzie also holds a number of letters and certificates from the Geological Institute of America.
Mr. McKenzie represents Mercyhurst university at regional science fairs and conventions and has presented seminars and talks in six states and was recently featured with Mercyhurst students in a NHK Tokyo documentary on fossils and evolution.
Scott McKenzie will be presenting on Saturday, October 19th & Sunday, October 20th (2:00pm - 3:00pm) on “Odd Beach Finds” in the Lecture Hall and will also be available for identification and conversation in his booth both days!
Anne Davis &
Kyle Davis
Anne Davis is the dynamic force behind LC’S Glass, alongside her son. Ky, also known as Captain Ky the Sea Glass Guy. Together, they form an unstoppable duo dedicated to uncovering the world’s undiscovered sea glass beaches.
While Ky traverses the globe on his sailboat, The Emerald of Pleiades, in pursuit of hidden treasures, Anne is the anchor behind the scenes. Known as “Ky’s mom” among their avid Facebook followers, Anne’s role is multi-faceted. She organizes and researches their finds, crafts sea glass creations and manages the intricacies of sales and shipping.
Their treasure trove, predominantly sourced from the sun-kissed shores of the Caribbean, boasts a mesmerizing array of discoveries. From marbles and dominos to beads, buttons and unique pottery - every single piece tells a story. Then, of course, there’s the sea glass - Anne and Ky have amassed a kaleidoscope of hues in all shapes, sizes and quality.
To join their adventure and explore the wonders of LC’s Glass, connect with them on Facebook at @SunsOutTonguesOut, Instagram and YouTube at @TheBoredPirate.
Lynne & Larry
Brady
Lynne and Larry have shared photos and brought the piece of glass to experts. Several have said it had likely been in the lake approximately 100 years. Shipwreck experts at the Buffalo Beach Glass Festival said that it could have fallen off of a ship many years ago. When Lynne and Larry contacted the Corning Museum of Glass in upstate New York, they said it seemed to have been created for some purpose but had no idea what use the piece would have had.
They will have the 275lbs piece on display both days and be available for conversation, questions, photos and more!
Shea Alltmont
Shea Alltmont is the Communications Manager at the Avon Lake Public Library, but when she’s also an avid beach combing enthusiast and educator!
Shea offers a program called “Beaches Kick Glass,” a presentation for beach glass enthusiasts, treasure hunters, new beach combers and those wanting to adventure to their local beach for interesting finds that can be discovered along the shores of Lake Erie - teaching you more about this relaxing and intriguing hobby of beach combing.
Presenting on beach glass and other sandy treasures at the Avon Lake Public Library as well as other local libraries and other venues along the Great Lakes as well as operating/moderating the Facebook page “Beaches Kick Glass” for other enthusiasts to share their experiences, Shea has shared her knowledge with others for over 6 years.
She is also a member of the International Sea Glass Association and was an official shard identifier for the 16th Annual North American Sea Glass Festival in 2023!
Shea will be presenting on Saturday, October 19th (11:30am - 12:30pm) on Night Beach Combing and Sunday, October 20th (11:30am -12:30pm) on Daytime Beach Combing in our lecture hall, she will also be available in her booth both days in the Great Hall!
Alex Watkins
Alex Watkins: Bottle and Glass Identifier and Co-Owner of Rusted Rooster Rare Finds
Alex is a passionate glass enthusiast and one of the proprietors of Rusted Rooster Rare Finds in Warren County, PA. With over 30 years of experience in collecting and digging bottles, Alex has identified thousands of pieces of glass and pottery, showcasing his deep knowledge and dedication to the craft.
His journey began at the age of 12 when he stumbled upon his father’s childhood bottle collection in the basement, igniting a lifelong passion for glass. Since 2016, Alex has participated in the Great Lakes Beach Glass and Coastal Arts Festival, where he shares his expertise in identifying shard bottles and engaging with fellow enthusiasts.
Alex’s fascination with glass extends to early American pattern glass, as well as the intricate process of dating bottles through mold seams, lips, and colors—almost like a forensic analysis of history. He enjoys discussing all aspects of glass collecting and has a keen interest in identifying ceramic and pottery shards from the beach.
While beach glass represents a weathered and broken part of his hobby, Alex is still on the hunt for his first beach bottle. Join him as he uncovers the beauty and stories behind each piece of glass, sharing his love for this rewarding pursuit!