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Caroline Mellor's avatar

Exquisite photos, and a lovely read! Yes the pebbles on my local beaches also come alive in salt water. My kids bring them home and they all just look grey. Have a lovely evening :-)

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thanks so much for your comment, Caroline! I bet your kids are as disappointed as I was. And we all will go back and pick up pretty stones nonetheless! =)

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Marcel Borgstijn's avatar

Those stones! Wow.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Marcel!

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David Greenwood's avatar

Forty years ago I picked up a large stone from a beach on a rainy day. Ever since 'Stone' has sat on the same corner of the same writing table. In seven different houses, in six different towns,doing four different jobs and through all the relationship stuff which goes with living.

Every day when I sit at the table to work, I pick up Stone and remember all the lifetime we have shared since that rainy beach day. He knows me well, Stone's past is however, still a mystery to me.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Well, maybe it is better this way!

Thank you for sharing “Stone”’s and your story! Love it!

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Luz Mendes's avatar

Beautiful! One thing is true, from your last picture, they’re not boring stones anymore. Look forward to seeing your next project!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Luz!

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Hey Susanne, another soul who has full pockets every time you go to the beach. My dad was like that... there is evidence all over the cottage, and I have the gene. Unfortunately, you are right that what you see in situ is not necessarily what you end up with when objects dry and are in another environment. I very much look forward to seeing what you do with your tied up rocks. Very interesting!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

I usually try to limit myself to one or two beach treasures. This time was an exception, because I was on a mission to get these bigger stones for my project. But then there were all these smaller colorful ones and I couldn’t help myself!

Do you still have a cottage up here? We are always near Thy Nationalpark. It is my favorite area…

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søren k. harbel's avatar

My family cottage is in north Sjælland. Jutland was too far before the bridges.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

And even with the bridge, it is still way out. But worth it…

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søren k. harbel's avatar

Couldn’t agree more! I like the vistas, wind, smell and solitude of the west coast.

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Tom Schroder's avatar

Susanne, I don't know where to begin with how wonderful this post is. The idea of walking along a rainy beach and picking up stones is powerful and pulls me in right away, just to imagine the opportunity to do the same...the freedom and joy of such a simple thing. And, of course, your photos are always great - and your "stone art" is so powerful and creative, too. Thank you for this.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Tom, it means so much to me that you say that, because I almost didn't publish today's newsletter. I am so glad that it resonated with you. Thank you for your feedback!

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Mark Foard's avatar

A lovely read, Susanne, and those stone creations are wonderful.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Mark!

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Lin Gregory's avatar

I really enjoyed reading this Susanne - following your journey on the sand to see what treasures lay there was well written. There's something quite freeing about wandering a rainswept beach isn't there. Pebbles look so lovely with the glaze of rain but they also have a minimalist purity (for want of a better description) when they dry out. That comes across really well within the final image and the beautiful way in which you've bound them with other beach finds - are they leather strips or textile? What ever it is they look really beautiful - a great teaser for your next photobook!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you for your lovely comment, Lin! I am so glad you enjoyed my short essay. I wasn't sure whether I should share it, but now I am glad I did. I picked the stones because of their shape and simplicity. I knew exactly what I wanted to do with them. And they are perfect. The smaller, colourful pebbles I picked up for their amazing colours and textures. I love to look at them and have them as a little reminder of this beautiful beach.

The strips look and feel like leather, but are actually fake leather. It is perfect for what I had in mind.

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Lin Gregory's avatar

You've chosen well Susanne - looking forward to seeing the project here in full.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you, Lin! I can’t wait to share it, but I still have to work on it a little more.

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Deborah Gregory's avatar

I enjoyed this post so much. Thanks for sharing, Susanne. Your words and images are a gentle reminder to cherish the fleeting beauty in all things, especially treasures found on a quiet beach walk.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

I am so grateful for your feedback, Deborah. I almost didn't publish it, because I thought it wasn't good enough, there wasn't any value or point to it. But then I decided to let the reader decide whether they enjoy it or not.

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Helen Lowe's avatar

Thank you for the simplicity and poignancy of your reflections…your co-creations with Nature are soothing to behold.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you very much, Helen! I am so glad you enjoyed the read. It was a joy to work with these stones - quite the meditative work.

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Mary Martha's avatar

Incredible work, Susanne! Such beautiful & graphic creations out of what you earlier thought was boring!

Love your beach photos too, they remind me of home in New England.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you for your feedback, Mary! I love this beach. Even when it is not raining, it is very quiet there.

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perfectlight's avatar

love your stone art!!!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you! It was fun making them.

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Juliette's avatar

I had not thought about how the stones can feel and look one way on the beach but then feel and look differently in another environment, but I guess we do transform that way too. I look forward to seeing what you will do artistically with your rocks! And can I also say that I love that Ben was able to vacation with you. That makes me smile!

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

I bet the next time you pick up a stone at the beach you will think about this! 😉 And yes, I agree, we are very much the same…

When Ben was younger, we would travel without him. But he is almost thirteen now, which means our time together is slowly running out, and my husband and I decided only to go on vacations when Ben can be a part of it. (Florida last November was an exception, but my husband was with Ben).

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Deborah Callahan's avatar

It's been too long since I walked on the beach and picked my favourite stones.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Oh no! I guess it's about time, then!

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Benjamin Fargen's avatar

Lovely 🖤📷👏

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thanks, Benjamin!

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Hatice's avatar

Beautiful, another beach stone lover here. Thanks for sharing.

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Susanne Helmert's avatar

Thank you for reading, Hatice!

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