Oh. My. Gosh. Y'all.
More Than Sea Glass: The Story of the Mamas Behind the Magic
Some folks have those workshops that look like a Pinterest board: quiet, sterile, everything in its perfect little place. And to that, we say: bless your hearts.
Our South Jersey studio? Honey, it's more like a full-contact sport. It’s filled with love, laughter, a few necessary tears (hello, Monday mornings!), and, let’s be real, a whole lotta beautiful messes. Back Bay Designs was started by a mom who fumbled her way through life and the beaches with her own "tiny mermaids." A decade later, we’re a team of local mamas who are all-in. We truly believe that our art isn't just about the seaglass; it's a vehicle for making people feel important, inspired, and unequivocally loved.
The Treasure Hunt, The Shitshow, The Joy
I love that I get to work hand in hand with Mother Nature everyday. That I get to go on a literal treasure hunt and bring that hidden beauty out. Something that was once trash, thrown away and forgotten, gets to go into someone’s home where they might love it fiercely, where it gives them joy and inspiration.
This is the very core of what we do. We find this gorgeous, weathered treasure, not to hoard it ourselves, but to give it a whole new stage. Just like a mom sees the raw, imperfect, glorious beauty in her own kids (even when they're making a mess of things!), we see the soul in each unique, imperfect piece of sea glass.
Mamas on the Beach: The Chaos That Became Our Core
Our ridiculous journey began over a decade ago on the quiet, peaceful back bays of Cape May County. It started with one mom, her tiny mermaids, and a bucket—a memory that now infuses every single piece of art we create. We built this whole damn business on the simple joy of finding a beautiful rock and creating those “pockets of peace.”
Look, this isn't just a business; it's a family. We have an open studio policy because we get it—sometimes your kids or grandkids need to come to work with you, and we’re here for that chaotic goodness. And when you send us love, it tells us that you feel that heart, too.
"Great gift! It arrived on time and was well packaged. It turned out even better than I expected." — Erin
"Super cute! Very nice quality. Cant wait to gift it to my bestie! Shipping was fast and packaged so securely." — Kathryn
These reviews? These are the little hits of caffeine that fuel our mamas-only operation. They tell us that the nonstop work we put into every single piece—the durable, time-tested adhesives, the archival inks to resist fading, the careful packaging—is noticed. Our 10+ years of experience isn’t just a number; it’s a decade of failing, learning, laughing until we cry, and then perfecting our craft. It's about creating a piece that doesn't just look cute when it arrives, but that will last and truly become a beloved pocket of peace in your home.
Our Messy, Loving, Mama-Powered Studio is Our Secret Sauce
We're ringmasters of the shitshow, but we swear, our messy, loving, mama-powered studio is our actual secret ingredient. When you bring a piece home from Back Bay Designs, you're not just getting a piece of simple, calming art; you're getting a piece of our ridiculously grateful story. You’re getting the love and laughter of a whole community of mamas who found a way to share a little peace with the world, one tiny, beautiful piece of sea glass at a time.
Thank you for welcoming us, mess and all, into your home and into your stories. 🫶