Another Blast From The Past

I'd be willing to bet that 75% of the ladies who follow my Blog either: know what this is, can guess what it is, or own one.

Back in the 70's these "Charm Bracelets" were all the rage. And I longed for one, just like all the other girls. Oftentimes, parents would gift a daughter one, and they were so trendy and gorgeous.

The first one I ever got was while I was in High School, from a certain smitten young man who went on to lead me to the altar. It was Sterling silver and very wide, with room probably for fifty charms. If anybody knows Jamie, you'd know that if he was hanging a shelf, and one nail would do, then ten would be better. He goes over the top, and my charm bracelet was over the top too. Especially on these less than graceful arms.

But this picture of the very first charm he gave me, soldered to the bracelet, starting a lovely tradition of charm giving for all occasions. And the bracelet pictured here is a finer silver one, not the original.

In my high school days, charm bracelets started popping up, especially after Larter's Pharmacy started to get in on the action. Do you remember those large four-sided revolving display cases? The ones that sat on the counter? Of course they're in every jewelry department, all much the same. But I could have stared at them for hours, spinning them around, while the charms glittered and shone. The charms were of every description! Birthstones. Initials. Birthdays. Christmas. All things "LOVE." And my all time favorite, Zodiac signs. In the lower display cases were rows of shining sterling silver bracelets, all nestled in their beautiful gift boxes. They were truly quality gifts.

Many of the charms could be engraved, which made them much more popular, and several of mine are.

Two other things I must mention.......I will never forget Florence MacDonald's charm bracelet. At least I think it was Florence's. She was rooming with my grandmother in Souris hospital many years ago during one of Momma's frequent stays, and I remember being absolutely fascinated by her gorgeous charm bracelet. There was one charm for every one of her children, and I believe also for children she fostered. I'm sure someone out there will correct me if I'm wrong. But she had so many that her bracelet tinkled like the sound of sleigh bells, just ringing out! It was something. And I also met a lady who shall remain nameless, whose charm bracelet and every charm on it, was solid gold. It was stunning. She was from Boston and summered here, and I did a lot of sewing for her.

But neither of these events stole any thunder from the pride I felt every time I wore my bracelet.

But it seems as we got older, we quit collecting charms and stopped wearing the bracelets.

So many charms, and a memory with each one. The wedding rings and the little diamond ring in a gift box would be self explanatory. The "Happy Birthday" charm is engraved from Mary and Lorna, my two Larter's Pharmacy buddies. Momma gave me the little chick coming out of an Easter egg. There's a story with each one.

And this little guy was a gift from my son Chance years ago. At that time, my charm bracelet lay unused in my jewelry box, safe and sound, but never worn. But when Chance gave me the little charm, I thought, why not do something with it, besides hang it from a chain?

So, on a trip to a jewelry shop in Charlottetown, I took in my wide and clunky bracelet. I left instructions, and picked it up a couple of weeks later.

Well, wow! I had chosen a finer sterling bracelet. The charms were all removed from the original, some were soldered and some had jump rings, and were all safely resoldered to the new bracelet. And this little humming bird started it all.

It's still an old-fashioned and out of date style of jewelry, but I have worn it several times since, with pride. And it sparks a conversation every time. I remember the first time I wore it was to a birthday party for Debbie Outhouse, and all the ladies said the same thing........"I must dig mine out and start wearing it!"

Well, of course it's never that easy, silver needs cleaning and polishing, and mine was done as part of the update package, it was just shining!!

We wear all manner of jewelry these days, but nothing beats the classics. You just keep going back to it.

Do I have beach glass jewelry?

What a crazy question!

Do I have a Pandora?

Well, who doesn't!!!

Do I have any gold?

Tons! In fact I've been gifted so many gold charms over the years, I could have them all mounted on a gold chain, much the same as the one I admired years ago.

So ladies, have a look and find your old charm bracelet, and make it new again. In fact with Mother's Day coming up, and all our children wondering, "What are we going to get Mom this year?" Well, a pretty new charm might be just the ticket.

What do we need? Most of us?

Absolutely nothing.