Beachcombing passion becomes business

Combining driftwood that she finds on Nova Scotia’s beaches with polymer clay sculptures, Laura Cleveland creates and sells one-of-akind pieces of art under the name Rain1design.

Editor’s Note

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For several years, Laura Cleveland has been making beautiful art pieces inspired by her surroundings, but it wasn’t until a year ago that she started her own business to sell her artwork.

Cleveland lives in Cape Forchu on John's Cove beach, outside Yarmouth, N.S.

“The best part is wandering the beaches and finding special pieces,” she says.

When Cleveland first visited Nova Scotia, the natural thing for her to do was to walk the shoreline. She was drawn to shells, sea glass, unique rocks, and driftwood, anyway.

She says some of the driftwood pieces are stunningly beautiful on their own, and she has a few unadorned pieces in her home.

When Cleveland moved here, beachcombing became even more of a pastime. She feels especially lucky enough to live so close to the ocean.

“High winds, tides and storms can be like having your local store get a new shipment, and there’s a whole new selection of products to choose from,” she says.

Cleveland loves collecting driftwood the most because of how unique and beautiful each piece is.

Once she has found a piece she likes, she combines the driftwood together with clay, meshing the two together.

“Adding clay flowers, fish or birds to the driftwood just seemed natural to me,” she says.

The first piece Cleveland ever made is still her favourite, and still hangs in her home. However, she says she is fond of everything she makes.

Cleveland explains that she learned how to make her clay pieces through trial and error, and just playing with clay as a medium. Some pieces worked, others didn’t, she says.

CREATIVE PURSUIT

After bringing the driftwood home, Cleveland washes it

with a bleach solution to clean the wood and prevent any further decay. Some pieces she will leave completely natural, while others she will apply a sealer to. Sometimes, she experiments with subtle staining or modifications. Every piece is different.

“Sometimes some really beautiful pieces are too far gone or damaged and can’t be used,” says Cleveland.

The return policy, however, is very easy to use, she assures.

As far as the clay pieces, Cleveland says she sculpts or forms the shapes by hand using polymer clay, and when

she has designed what she wants, the pieces are baked to harden them. After baking, sometimes she adds a small amount of antiquing or other details and then applies a sealer coating.

“Driftwood art is beautiful, and numerous artists have done incredible work with it,” she says. “This is just my way of using it, in a slightly different way.”

Selling her art is something she says she just fell into. She began by making her pieces for herself, and found that others really liked her work, too. Today she sells under the banner,

Rain1design.

Cleveland says she has always been creative and needs to be. She lets this creativity speak to her.

“I let the driftwood tell me what will go on it and in what colour,” she says describing her creative process.

She will also fill custom orders when requested.

In the future, Cleveland says her plan is to just go wherever her art takes her. She says she wants to keep her business small and still enjoyable.

Creating this artwork is something Cleveland does part time, and just for the enjoyment of it.

“I’m retired and soaking in the beauty of where I live,” she says.

She describes the ocean as being mesmerizing and therapeutic.

“So to have a hobby, and part time business, that allows me to wander the shore with my husband and our 170pound St Bernewf puppy is a bonus,” says Cleveland.

Finding a really unique piece of driftwood makes the day even more special.

On their outings, Cleveland says they also try to pick up a little bit of shoreline plastic. Every little bit helps, she says.

Depending on the location it’s also a way to meet other beach combers or dog walkers. People seem to be in a better mood on the beach, she notes.

To view or purchase artwork from Rain1design, check the business out on Facebook and Instagram by searching for the same name. Some of her products are available at the gift shops at the Cape Forchu Lighthouse, the Yarmouth County Museum and Archives, Seahags and Scallywags in Yarmouth, and the CAT ferry.