Granted, my parents (shockingly) didn’t always give in to my blandishments for charms on our family trips, and as I grew older my attention wandered, and I ceased to collect charms as life’s milestones piled up. But now, as I take a chance to breathe before the next onslaught of existence, I also take a chance to collect mementos from the times I wish to remember, and to file them on my bracelets as small tokens of achievement. The graduations I never bothered to attend, the places and events that seemed so unimportant at the time, yet which now glow in time’s reflected light – are surprisingly missed. I celebrate them in my charms, and for a brief moment re-live the feelings – bittersweet and tart as pomegranate on the tongue, gone in a flash, but part of me always.

For the record, I also add tokens of those times I DON’T want to remember- but should because they, too, are a part of who I am and how I came to be where I am now (Not perhaps a world leader, or hero, but still, a sentient woman living in wondrous times). I guess what I have become is old enough to appreciate that we all, every one of us, has a history, and a story, that is worth telling and enjoying, even if only to ourselves. So I love my tiny metallic scrapbooks, and I enjoy every one I see, and appreciate the person whose life it celebrates.

Mechanical charms are the ones that perform exactly as they would in full size, boxes open, scissors cut, fruit juicers squeeze etc. In the most detailed of these sometimes trees will light and turn, often to music; it’s as if the toy or tool has been hit with a reduction ray and all is in scale and working order.

Moving charms are just that – they move. The hands on a clock may turn, fish may float about, matchbooks open, etc. All mechanical charms are moving ones, but not all moving ones are mechanical. (It could be argued that a non moving sundial works like it’s larger counterpart yet doesn’t move, but I digress). If the clock moves and keeps time – it is mechanical; if you must move the hands it is not – it is a moving charm. This is no measure of its’ worth however. Scissors are technically simple mechanicals if sharp, but do you honestly know anyone who would trade a nuvo alien for one? If so please send them my way – I have plenty of scissors! ~twinkly grin~

carol's Veteran bracelet

When Carol came to me to ask if I’d design and make a bracelet for the Veterans’ Club to give to her boss last year, it was so much fun, and so well received that I felt I had to do one even better for her since she was then the President of the Veterans’ Club, and has now moved on to an even larger responsibility post graduation. I must admit I don’t think this will ever be completed – I an constantly finding something wonderful to add, both vintage and new! This may end up the definitive wrist ruffle. Since this picture was taken I have added a marine ‘hooah!’ charm, a double mechanical helicopter, and a ‘Big Bertha’ broken heart. I think a working Pin Fire Gun charm is in order, don’t you? Her Vets gave her a set of dog tags when she graduated, so if anyone knows where i can get some small sterling charms of dog tags I’d be thrilled. Any other ideas welcomed!

I made an offer, was turned down, the seller lowered the opening bid and buy it now price, I put in a snipe at just above the opening bid, and figured there was no chance I’d get it. But somehow it was meant to be and I won – now of course all I could think was that I’d been an idiot – no one else bid (what did they know that I missed?)

I’d checked with every vintage puffy heart expert I know – I’d gotten closer pictures – I’d checked on repros and marks and styles to a fare thee well. It was down to nail biting.

The seller shipped lightning fast and I had the package in 2 days:

I took it down for Michelle to see, just to be sure since I’ve only ever sold the odd heart charm, she said 1940’s. Whew!

There was even one more than I had thought – and the engraving even nicer than expected. I put the single damaged one (engraved ‘Bertha’) on my friend Carol’s Veteran’s Bracelet, for the Big Bertha Gun in WW2, and as her broken heart.

The Walter Lampl enamel December heart with poinsettia needs the stone replaced – originally it had a turquoise, but I am considering replacing with a diamond – tell me if you think that’s wise?

Here are pictures as it arrived – dark and dull as pewter (a smoker?)

You can check them out here!

walter lampl gold hourglass charm

14K gold circa 1940 hourglass charm by the Walter Lampl Company

The other one I love is KIVA
I am forming a group there of charmers so we can track the good we do together in the world. Please join me if you have a spare 25.00 to lend for a few years, it’ll make you feel great! Click here to join the Charmers Kiva group