Well..it's game breaking for me because I cannot continue to build the house. I have the bucket tool, I walk on the beaches, and I never get a prompt to collect sand. Maybe I am missing something? These are the beaches past the blacksmith's house. If it matters, it is the 6th day of spring and still snowing. Does the snow matter? The beaches are still exposed.

Edit: it was me. I can confirm that I am an idiot and this works like it is supposed to. :)