Thursday, April 1, 2010

Charmed, I'm sure...

When it comes to jewelry, a bracelet is a must-wear accessory for me. In fact, if I should happen to leave the house without a lovely bauble encircling my wrist, I feel positively nude (and not in the artistic sense).

My favorite type of bracelet to wear is a charm bracelet. Charms have a long history by themselves, but charm bracelets were most popular after World War II and into the 1950s. Several years ago, NPR did a piece on Tracey Zabar's book "Charmed Bracelets" - check out the All Things Considered interview here when you have a few moments.

So, why do I love charm bracelets? They jingle. They tell a story. Sometimes the charms are articulated - the kind with moving parts. They can serve as a remembrance of people or places. They can be fun, kitschy, or just plain wacky.

Here are a few of my own charm bracelets....

I like to call this one "Song and Dance."


While not a charm bracelet in the truest sense, it does have dangle-y bowling charms and a nice solid-sounding jingle. I wear this one a lot.


This is my absolute favorite charm bracelet.
It's got four articulated charms and even a tiny bullet!


I love this "Lie Detector" with the little arrow that spins.


I started collecting charms from Vermont a few years ago, so I can make myself a charm bracelet in honor of a state that I love to visit and in which I was married. I still need lots more, in particular a maple leaf charm. Here are the ones I have so far...

Squirrel, bear, pinecone, moose, and Bennington Battle Monument.


Okay, now it's your turn. Tell me, what piece of jewelry can't you leave the house without? Do you have a favorite bracelet or necklace or earrings?


8 comments:

Adri said...

I have a favorite ring that I bought at an antique store that I'll share with you soon...

I have had the unfortunate luck of losing an opal from it TWICE. It's going to be fixed in a few weeks so I'll blog about it when I get it back!

xo
Adri

InkyW said...

how funny - my great-aunt's gold charm bracelet is at the jewelers right now having some minor repairs so I can wear it - it's VERY heavy and full of charms dating back to the 30's. I also have my own sterling bracelet I started in high school (74-78). I'll take some pics for a blog post when I get my great aunt's back. I love them too!

art deco dame said...

Love charm bracelets!yours are so cute!I have my mothers from the 60's its a San Diego themed one its really cute.

Zootsuitmama said...

Love em! I remember when I was about 10, my aunt brought me a charm bracelet from Mexico. I wish I still had it. My fav things are earrings, especially bright colored and floral. Zootsuitmama

Little Miss B said...

Those are such lovely bracelets, they all have there own little stories to tell. I have a big star earring that I don't know what i'd do if i lost it.

Emily said...

I love charm bracelets too! I have my mom's that she got from her dad for her sweet 16. I have since added some of my own charms to it and I hope that one day I'll have a daughter to pass it down to. Great Post!

Miss CherryBubbles said...

What treasures you all have - and great stories too!

Adri and Inky - I'm looking forward to your jewelry blog posts ;)

1950s Atomic Ranch House said...

Love charm bracelets!