Charms?

I am designing a necklace to celebrate women who have escaped abusive relationships. I've been on the Internet looking at sterling silver charms. I need the charms to be small (around 18-23 mm) or it will be over-powering.

I bought my DIL a Faith Necklace a few years ago and I'm following the same design pattern. It has the following charms: fish, bible, cross, heart that says faith on it and a red stone for the blood of Christ. It's really a great necklace but has the small, pewter charms. I prefer the sterling silver.

I'm about to go blind doing this research so decided that I would ask you gals if you know of any great sites that offer wonderful charms?

Dianne, this is a website I built for someone a few years back. I don't think she stays up with it much, but she has lots of charms on there.

http://www.goodie2shoez.com

Maybe if you email her (Karen Smith), she can tell you where she buys the charms wholesale - just tell her I referred you and what you're doing. Good luck!

Kathy

Dianne,
Wouldn't it be cool to have a:

1.Hand - to symbolize someone lifted them up by their caring hands.
2. Tear - to show they shed tears, but no more.
3. Bear - to show that all things are bearable with help and love AND Bear hugs.
4. Umbrella - to show that there are ports in any storm.
5. Sunflower - to show that life CAN be full of sunshine and flowers

Just some suggestions...I bet the other ladies here could come up with some good ones....yes? Jump in girls!

JJ

Thanks for the help. I already had a hand with a heart in the middle indicating a helping hand out of the situation.

And, a clear stone for a tear drop.

Maybe a butterfly for metamorphasis. (sp)

A hand mirror for finally being able to see the true woman.

A heart or a simple charm that says courage or wisdom.

I appreciate any input!

Well it sounds like to me you've already thought this over VERY WELL! I love the ideas you have, and I have always felt that charms were FOR ME, you know what I mean? Personal. So I know this gift will bring joy to the receiver.

I have a charm bracelet that I've just started just for this very reason, because it reminded me of one I use to have, and all of the special charms on it from those I love. What I wouldn't give to find that bracelet now!

JJ

One of the only pieces of jewelry I cherish and wear is a charm bracelet I sarted many years ago. It contains a gold frog with emerald eyes, a porpoise with a pearl its playing with, 2 hearts for my sons, a gold bird, a tear drop pearl for my Eddie. I have trouble finding gold charms now because they are not cheap. I need more charms one of these days.

I have a charm bracelet from all of the places where we've traveled. I even have a charm from the Vatican! I'm going to pass it on to my oldest granddaughter with a note, telling what each charm represents. I won't give it to her until she's responsible enough to not lose it. Maybe when she's 50?! At the rate she's going, it looks like she's going to be that age before she gets it together!!!!

If any of you have anymore ideas for charms, let me know. I like all the ones I've gotten (JJ!). I especially like the umbrella one.

Oh Hun...don't wait till she's 50! That's when my memory started failing....

Somewhere in between 35-42...that should be a safe zone.

What about a telephone? Signifying that help is only a phone call away?

JJ

I've told her she can call me anytime she wants or needs--collect but she doesn't. She doesn't like to answer questions. I don't drill her but I do want her to get her life in gear. Lordy, they scare me sometimes. Especially the girls because so much more can happen to them.

Dianne, I hear you on the comment about girls. I have one leaving for college in the fall. For some reason, I'm more concerned about her thatn the guys. I recall my parents feeling the same way with my three sisters and me, compared to my brother.

Tell us what you are goin to do with this charm bracelet. I can envision it in gift stores all over the country. They could create a tremendous awareness for domestic violence. This could be huge!

Does anyone have a prayer charm? It's a small box with a lid and you write your prayer and put it in the box then wear it to remind yourself to pray for whatever you have written on the paper. I found them on sale and bought several along with the sterling bracelets to have around for gifts. People seem to like them and they have meaning.

smile

It's a charm necklace, not a bracelet and I don't know what I'm going to do with it yet but it will somehow raise money for dv awareness or for shelters. I want it to be top quality though, not cheap. Women deserve the best.

Smile, I've seen the prayer box charms but none large enough to actually put a prayer in. I was thinking of possibly using one of the charms. Just not sure yet. Do I focus on what a woman goes through during dv or during recovery from it? That's the big question. What do you gals think?

The Faith Necklace that I bought my DIL isn't on a chain but a leather like link that can be shortened into a choker. I think I'll use that. It looks really good with the silver charms.

Dianne,
How about this idea a compass necklace . A small one where could I have that made and design for me or to sell or just for myself . How is that idea ? Help . I know how to or what I like the design to be . Anyone have any ideas???

Renee

Sorry , spelling wrong . Compass necklace . I know the design , but need to go about finding someone to make it for me. It is small . I am terrible driving I and Not sure about my North and and South

[ June 04, 2006, 12:02 AM: Message edited by: Renee ]

Say again Renee, not sure I know what it is you want here??

Dianne look what I found just for you.....

www.jewelry-charms.com/

Chatty, your link seems to be having problems.

Dianne, I have a ton of catalogues, and access to a lot more. I'll look during the next week and see what I can find.

Diane and Chatty and Meredith .

A compass Necklace for me in the shape of a triangle or circle . I get lost a and tell from north and south east and west . Nice while traveling . How is that idea . ???

I'll have to figure out a way to tie that in with healing from abuse...finding her way back to her heart/soul/spirit maybe?

Went to a street fair yesterday and saw a ton of jewelry so checked out the latest trends. I noticed a lot of leather like cords, rather than chains. Is this the new trend in necklaces, Meredith?

I was also thinking, should my charms all be the same size? Gads, this is beginning to get mind boggling! I'm not a "crafts" person.

Meredith not sure what you mean, I clicked onto the link for charms listed above and it popped right up. I then clicked my own website in case thats what you were referring to and it popped up easily as well???? Dianne different size charms are usually found on bracelets and that looks good plus it may be hard to find all the same size charms.

Chatty, when I clicked on the jewelry charms page, it came up with a non-related site that said that the URL was for sale. Same thing happened today.

Dianne, leather cords have been around forever. It's one of a bazillion different options, none of which are necessarily more "in" than the other. It gives a more casual look to a piece.

No, your charms don't have to all be the same size.

Meredith, I'm going to the International Gem & Jewelry Trade Show today with my girlfriends. This is something we do a couple of times a year. We are jewelry hounds. I was making beaded jewelry for a while, but not lately. Personally, I like cut stones. Love things that sparkle. Haven't gone to the show in over a year. I guess I just fell off the wagon: Not really anything I want to buy or need, but jewelry is never a need, just an obsession. I don't buy beads and findings anymore, just whatever catches my eye. (that I can afford). Maybe I'll pick up a few Christmas gifts today for my nieces and then won't feel so guilty.
Louisa

Louisa, step out and get yourself something while you're at it.

I believe that's the same show that comes to Baltimore. I've only been once and can't figure out why I haven't made it a priority. the prices were great!

Oh, Dotsie, I did I found this beautiful little carousel music box. It's red and yellow and has 3 little horses on it and the top has tiny simulated gemstones. You wind it up and it turns and plays music. I just love it. I also bought a pair of earrings and a ring. I'm always buying rings. I did find some necklaces that I plan to put away for Christmas gifts. We had fun and didn't get too out of control. I have a lot of things coming up that I need to save my money for. This show goes all around the country. It comes here 3 times a year. We love it and make a day of it.

Louisa

Glad to hear you treated yourself. I think it's the same show that comes to Baltimore in the fall and spring. I've only been once, but have talked about getting a bus load of women to go because I know everyone would love it!