It’s a Party!
Seaglass Beach Cottage
By Sharla Gorder / Photos by Kate Treick Photography
It’s a party, and you’re invited! Come hang out at the bar with us — no, not that kind of bar — this kind: the Seaglass Beach Cottage Art Bar in Gulf Breeze. It’s a neighborhood “bar” like no other.
A dozen of Bella’s best gathered for some girl time at the shop recently to make some memories — and some art. We closed the place down, and not one of us woke up the next day with a hangover.
Our “bartenders,” Michelle Noa and Holly Games, artists and co-owners of Seaglass Beach Cottage, greeted us like family. Sam, the resident pooch, kept us all safe. I served appetizers and mocktails and we all enjoyed catching up and browsing the fabulous finds in the shop, while our hosts prepped our project for us.
We bellied up to the bar and found all our art supplies neatly organized around a 12 by 12 wooden “canvas.” Everyone had their own supply of tumbled and fired glass shards, various sticks and stems, and dozens of intricate butterfly decals. There were also piles of seashells and driftwood, scraps of braided rope and fishing nets and tiny sea-life trinkets: turtles and rays and jellyfish and octopuses. And of course, there were paints and glitter and even Pensacola Beach sand.
For the next two hours, we laughed and learned. We chatted and created. And we all produced our own original and unique glass and resin works of art. Many of us worked around a common theme — wildflowers and butterflies — while others took a totally free-form approach. But every single one of us created a masterpiece to take home and be proud of.
Seaglass Beach Cottage, while specializing in these unique art classes, is first and foremost a coastal art gallery and gift shop.
“When we first opened, we featured 30 local artists,” Noa said. “We are always on the lookout for unique art and gifts.”
Among their best sellers are a line of insulated stainless tumblers, beautifully crafted with resin and Pensacola Beach sand. Their beach photography by Jeff Waldorff also does extremely well. And Barry Flood’s cypress carvings of mermaids, pelicans and other sea creatures are very popular.
“Tourists want something original to take home to remember their visit. A shot glass from a big T-shirt shop just doesn’t cut it,” Noa said.
And the locals want something special too — a place to go to be inspired.
“We have always wanted to be an inspiring place,” Games said. “We have laughed, cried and prayed with people. We enjoy forming relationships as we meet people who visit the store. We want people to feel comfortable here.”
And they do.
“When we first opened,” Games said, “we had a guy come in to see Sam, our resident laid-back lab. Next thing we know, this guy is lying on the floor at the front of the store with the dog.”
Seaglass Beach Cottage is a warm and welcoming place, owing largely to the rapport of its owners. Noa and Games are not just business partners; they are best friends. They met in high school more than 30 years ago and have remained close ever since. When they decided to go into business together in 2016, it was not without caution.
“Before we opened Seaglass, many people advised us not to go into business together, as friendships rarely survive business partnerships,” Noa explained. “However, Holly and I have always had a very open and honest friendship, and we vowed that nothing would ever take precedence over our relationship.”
They work well together — like the left and right sides of a brilliant brain. While they are both artists, Games draws from of lifetime of retail experience to keep things running smoothly at Seaglass. Her first business was a lucrative lemonade stand when she was eight.
Of course, the challenges of running a business have changed a bit since then. COVID threw a monkey wrench into everyone’s business plans. But for Noa and Games, it also inspired a unique opportunity.
“When COVID hit, and the bridge shut down, and people weren’t shopping, we had to roll with the punches,” Games said. “We had to figure out how to stay afloat. Our art classes drew people back together. And they just keep coming back. We have had people take more than a dozen classes here at our Art Bar.”
In addition to the glass and resin art classes, Noa and Games host all kinds of painting classes and are excited to introduce a new series of children’s art classes this spring and summer.
“We want to offer kids some art experiences that they don’t typically get in school. We have some great ideas.”
Yes, they do. And a “bar” that you can frequent with your friends and create art has got to be among their best. While their weekly classes are always innovative and fun, they also host walk-in art project days on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Or you can just stop by and browse. Chat with Games about your kids. Share a recipe with Noa. Lie on the floor with Sam.
It’s all good.
They’ll meet you at the bar.
Seaglass Beach Cottage
Where: 3755-D Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Gulf Breeze
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday through Saturday
Cost: Art class prices range from $50 to $75 per artist
Info: 850-733-9861; seaglassbeachcottage.com; Facebook/SeaGlass Beach Cottage
