Several times a year glass floats like these are hidden along Lincoln City’s shoreline.
© Joyce McGreevy

A Cultural Tradition on the Oregon Coast

No one sees them, but dozens of Float Fairies roam this seven-mile stretch of the Oregon coast. Several mornings a year these anonymous volunteers stroll the shores of Lincoln City, carefully placing glass treasures among driftwood and seagrass. Soon, the Float Fairies blend in with us mere mortals who have come in search of these treasures.

Finders Keepers, a popular treasure hunt for handcrafted glass floats, originated in Lincoln City. Now in its 19th year and inspiring imitators, the event grew out of a cultural tradition.

Finders Keepers runs from mid-October to Memorial Day.
Treasures may include glass sand dollars, shells, and sea stars.
© Joyce McGreevy

Today, visitors come from all over, seeking their own brilliantly-colored, signed, and numbered glass floats.

Treasure Hunting

I, too, have come in search of treasure: treasured time with sisters. Having three sisters in Oregon, I’ve made my way from high-desert Bend to seaside Newport, then up the rugged coast to Lincoln City, where Carolyn lives.

“I love the coast life,” says Carolyn McGreevy at Lincoln City Public Library.
© Joyce McGreevy

A photographer of sea, sky, and stone, Carolyn charts the course of our glass float treasure hunt.

The world my sister sees. (Sunset at Lincoln City, Oregon)
© Carolyn McGreevy

First stop, North Lincoln County Historical Museum. There the Watson-Simpson Collection awaits us, resplendent as crown jewels.

The variety of sizes, colors, and provenance of glass floats is stunning.
© Joyce McGreevy

At first, fishermen crafted their floats from whatever glass was available to them—usually, recycled beverage bottles. Something about the sea stirs a terrible thirst, it seems.

Then, glass-making companies sprang up in Japan, Norway, Russia, and the U.S. Thousands of glassblowers found jobs making floats by hand. Circa 1890s-1930s, these floats are among the most ornate and coveted collectibles.

Patented in 1877, this is among the rarest of glass floats.
© Joyce McGreevy

A Fragile Industry

Later, companies switched to using industrial molds and machinery to mass-produce “improved” floats—cheaper, more uniform, less colorful. Eventually, companies phased out glass altogether.

Over time, the world’s fishing vessels began using plastic, aluminum, even Styrofoam floats. For generations of beachcombers, coveted glass floats became all the rarer—except in Lincoln City.

That’s where artist Jennifer Sears had a brilliant idea for celebrating the Millennium: commission local artists to create glass floats, each distinctive, then place them in the open for anyone to find.

Finders keepers, yes—losers weepers, no! Not with miles of Oregon coast to enjoy.
© Joyce McGreevy

Playing with Fire

Soon we’ll play Finders Keepers. But first, says Carolyn, let’s see how glassblowing happens. We make our way to Lincoln City Glass Center.

There we watch as artisans gather molten glass, scooping it like honey from crucibles heated to 2,100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Daniel Hogan and Steve Hagan face the heat. Wearing thick mitts, Jolene Boyce deftly flips a glass bowl.
© Joyce McGreevy

They roll the glowing mass across a marver, a special metal table, to distribute heat evenly. Then, as if adding sprinkles to ice cream, they dip the molten lump in crushed glass to add layers of color. At various points, the glass is returned to the crucible to keep it hot and malleable.

From crucible to kiln, glassmakers use an array of skills and tools to craft glass floats.
© Joyce McGreevy

As for the glassblowing, the artisans carry this out as nonchalantly as if they were chewing bubblegum, not working with bone-searing liquid fire.

Fire-born, sea-inspired, a glass mobile inspires visitors to Lincoln City Glass Center. 
© Carolyn McGreevy

Sailing, Sailing

All week, Carolyn and I tailor our adventures to the changeable coastal weather. On  bright days, we look at tide pools, fishing boats, and bright pebbles.

Agates and other colorful stones cover Oregon beaches.
© Carolyn McGreevy

On blustery days, we head for Captain OverKeel Cabin and batten down the hatches. Its interior resembles an ancient sailing ship. There’s no cable TV, no wifi, just the magic of forgetting what century this is.

On a “dark and stormy night,” this snug vessel drifts safely toward dreamland.
© Joyce McGreevy

Up and at ‘em

Nobody sleeps in on Finders Keepers days. By Saturday, the Float Fairies have placed 300 treasures all over the beach. Locals and visitors will soon be out in droves.

To help us on our quest, we seek out local expert Eric Johnson. As public relations coordinator for Lincoln City, Eric is first to see the glass floats as they arrive from artists’ studios all over Lincoln County.

Raised in Astoria, working in Cannon Beach and now Lincoln City,
Eric Johnson is truly a coastal citizen .  
© Joyce McGreevy

Does he have tips for spotting glass floats in the wild?

The secret, says Johnson, is not to look too hard. You’re more likely to discover a float the less fixated you are. And stay safe. Floats are never placed in risky-to-access areas. Just get out there and enjoy the day.

Oh, I see:  Instead of treasure-hunting to the point of frustration, simply notice the beauty all around you. Good life advice, too.

Can you spot a glass float on this stretch of coastline?
© Joyce McGreevy

Eureka!
© Joyce McGreevy

Finding Bliss

After combing the beach, antiquing in town, and sipping coffee by the fire, the prospect of a Lincoln City sunset draws Carolyn and me outdoors again.

And just like that, we find it—a gorgeous glass float!

Finders register their glass floats and post photos to Lincoln City’s Instagram.
© Joyce McGreevy

It’s in the hands of Todd Terrell, who marvels over its beauty with partner Rose Bliss. Their delight is what caught our attention.

Oregonians Rose Bliss and Todd Terrell celebrate Finders Keepers.
© Joyce McGreevy

For one companionable moment, we share in the joy, happy as nine-year-old kids. That’s all it is—a moment, created by years of cultural tradition on the Oregon coast.

A lovely moment to share with your sis. If that isn’t finding treasure, what is?

Glass art graces sidewalks in Lincoln City.
© Joyce McGreevy

When will Lincoln City drop more glass floats? Find out here. 

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