My Story

My name is Julie Hembree, the artist for Sea Dream Designs. I am a Pacific Northwest artist creating handcrafted coastal inspired artwork created with the treasures of the sea I have been collecting from decades of beachcombing.

I grew up in New England and spent my summers on the beaches in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine and still have many of the shells I collected as a child. After college I moved west and have lived the majority of my life near the shores of Washington state walking the beaches close to my home. When on vacation, I make every effort to bring back some seaglass or shell reminders of my travels.

In 2015, when my containers of driftwood, pebbles, seaglass and shells began to seriously overflow their space, I had to make a decision. Pare down the collection and toss the extras or figure out another use. It's safe to say I chose to re-use the goodies in gifts and custom requests for family and friends. Then after retiring from a lifelong career in teaching, I decided it was time to expand the parameters of my small business.

My artistic process closely mirrors storytelling. I once read that asking the question 'what if' is a powerful tool for novelists to develop a storyline. Now I use this technique to finetune the storytelling of my art because I believe each piece tells its own story. What artistic story do I want to tell? What feelings will the piece evoke? What materials will I use to illustrate my story? How can I use color, texture and materials to drive the narrative?

When I'm unsure of how to proceed, I add the novelist approach. What will happen if I try this? Sometimes the best art for me is the result of a happy experiment.

What is not an experiment is my belief in exceptional craftsmanship. I pay attention to detail. I attach a hanger as well as a dust cover to the back of the artwork frames. I use quality materials. I make sure that all shells are ethically sourced, cleaned and sanitized before use. The brand of resin used is non-toxic and is chemically engineered to offer the most efficient yellowing protection on the market. Its advanced stabilization additives provide superior, long-term clarity. I also only do small batch production and each piece is a one of a kind.

My customers are the people who connect with nature and the beauty of the oceans and want to bring the outside into their homes. I hope when they look at my artwork, they are reminded of the moments that have mattered in their lives. If I am speaking your language, please get in touch with me and let me know how I can help you!

My art will be for sale at the Blue Whole Gallery in Sequim, WA beginning in April 2023!