Oh So CHARMing
Charms, those darling and personable jewelry ornaments, are certainly on trend right now, but they aren't a hot-off-the-press concept.
Wearing, holding or giving charms, talismans and amulets has been a staple of human history. ICU (''Evil Eye'' or ''All-Seeing Eye'') charms popular in the Middle East and Greece are thought to give protection from bad luck or evil. Mexican milagros (miracles) are small charms that depict parts of the body and other shapes, used by the devoted as petitions to various saints for help or thanks. In China, charms are sometimes sewn in clothing for protection, good luck and prosperity. In the modern United States and Europe, charms are used as an expression of the wearer's style, life history and wishes.
Dubbed by charms expert and author Tracey Zabar as "history on a wrist," charms are making a dazzling comeback on fashion runways. Today, they're bolder, brighter, and attached to almost every accessory you could think of. Let's explore the charm-ing world of these fashionable baubles.
What is a Charm?
Charms are recognizable shapes smaller than 30mm (otherwise they are labeled as focal components) and have a single loop or hole at the top. Most of the charms available to jewelry-makers are made of sterling silver or ''pewter,'' although materials can also include precious gold, plated brass, stainless steel and non-metal materials.
Drops and pendants are similar, and also include religious symbols. When they're not busy adorning jewelry, you'll find them on zipper pulls, purse embellishments and even in scrapbooking. These components are especially popular for kumihimo or braided-style designs, throwback charm bracelets, gemstone stretch bracelets or quick-and-easy minimalist pendant necklaces on snake or ball chain.
Current Charm Trends
Spell it Out
Letter charms are showing up on jewelry, purses and even shoes to make a statement without actually saying a word. Spell monogrammed initials, a name, a brand, inspirational words or even go for something sassy. While words in jewelry and on accessories certainly garner attention on their own, letters on the runway are extra noticeable when they're completely blinged out with pavé-set rhinestones or colored with vivid enameling.
Find Your Center
Cultural symbols continue to hold their ground in the charm arena. Equally popular for men's, women's and unisex designs, these charms bring a new level of personalization, allowing customers to pick and choose words or images that hold a deeper meaning. Jewelry isn't just about being pretty (though these designs certainly are attractive); it's also now about conveying a sense of self. Especially popular charm symbols include the tree of life, Hamsa hand, cross, Om symbol and other images of spirituality, along with words such as ''Namaste,'' ''breathe'' and ''believe.''
Awareness and Charity
Charms also display social consciousness, featuring uplifting messages or symbols related to various causes. Affirmation charms have uplifting messages and awareness ribbons correlate to specific causes including the famous pink ribbon for breast cancer.
Rounding out this selection of charms are hearts, angels, wings and words such as ''hope'' and ''strength'' or phrases including ''never never give up!''
It's a Gift
Charms also make an ideal gift. Here are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Fill a bracelet with pianos, drums, harps and other musical images for your buddy who's crazy about music.
- Going to a baby shower? Embellish your gift wrap with baby-themed-charms - bottle, teddy bear, diaper pins and more.
- Dinner-party hosts could pick charms resonating with their guests, add them to wine charms or napkins and encourage them to take these home as keepsakes.
- Want to thank your beautician over the holidays? Make a tassel out of beauty themed charms that she can use to mark her tools.
- For that fashionista friend, create a purse charm she can clip on to whichever bag she's going with today, whether that’s Louis Vuitton or Zara.
- Give your kids' favorite teacher some well-deserved appreciation. Make a pair of jangly chandelier earrings featuring sterling silver A-B-C's, pencils, apples—whatever—and she'll think you're absolutely charming.
Purse Charms
Seen on everything from cocktail clutches to messenger bags, the purse charm is a removable, interchangeable and versatile way to personalize women's most popular accessory: the handbag.
Purse charms have evolved from dainty, understated accents to statement pieces sometimes bigger than the bag itself, as seen on the runways at Fendi and Emporio Armani.
These charms are detachable—designed to clip onto your keychain—and easily moved from bag to bag or replaced on a favorite bag with each outfit or season. And let's not forget the practical aspect—they're a great way to keep track of one's keys!
Themes range from animals and objects to tiny people and miniature purses, tassels and stamped or resin-coated quotes. Colorful feathers can be turned into tassel-like clusters, wide fans and other designs. Feathers are especially popular when creating in the traditions of native cultures of the Americas (North, South and Central).
Give macramé or kumihimo a go, or mix fabric, leather and other materials together to create your own variations of any and every theme!
Pretty much anything the customer (or the designer) wants to use to personalize her purse is, well, in the bag.
Of course there are a multitude of other themes to design around with charms, including special occasions, sports, hobbies and more, all available on the charms landing page. You might not be able to buy the Juicy Couture, Prada or tri-gold Cartier charms featured in magazines, but chances are you'll be able to find—or make—a reasonable, wallet-friendly counterpart. Create jewelry designed around your customers' interests and you're sure to charm them into a sale.
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