Santa Barbara Sea Glass & Ocean Arts Festival Preparations Underway in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) - Sea glass is shining everywhere at the Earl Warren Showgrounds in Santa Barbara

“They’ve already preplanned their booth and how it s going to look. They’ve probably set up in their living room or their driveway like us and now they’re just getting it ready and executing it in their space," said director Kim Clark of the festival.

“This is a little driftwood person. I call him the greeter and he wants to hug you. I work with driftwood a lot," said artist Alan Clark of the festival.

For those unfamiliar, you may be wondering what’s so special about sea glass?

“ It’s a form of something being recycled and something being natural that has been the sea and reformed," said volunteer Mary Dame of the festival.

A total of 50 artists from across the nation are participating in this year’s festival.

Visitors will find handmade pieces ranging from jewelry to framed art.

And after months — or even years — of collecting, these artists are ready to let their work make waves.

The festival has encouraged sea glass artists, visitors and shoppers from all over the world to come to Southern California.

This year's Santa Barbara Sea Glass & Ocean Arts Festival kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 12 and continues through Sunday, Sept. 11 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.