My charm bracelet is not the world's greatest, but it means the world to me. Each tiny image conjures up memories of people, places and events. And that's the richness of a charm bracelet: tiny icons that represent the past, the present and even the future. My charm bracelet spans 5 decades.
Date(s): February 5, 2006. Album by Georjean West. 1 - 46 of 46 Total. 369 Visits.
1 I started this charm bracelet in the summer of 1965 as I collected charms in Europe. I have added to it over the years and the charms commemorate special times in my life.
2 The bracelet currently has 56 charms, but it's an ever changing display as I add or take off a charm and need to adjust the others for balance.
3 All of the charms and glass on this bracelet are old, and most of the more interesting ones are 40 years old. It weighs 130.6 grams.
4 Several of the charms are movable. A few of them are valuable. Some are just cute. Of course, the bracelet is invaluable to me.
5 In the last two years, I've added charms in memory of certain people/places.
6 I like to think that I'm closer to those people, places and experiences whenever I wear this bracelet.
7 This sterling mother of pearl unicorn was originally a pendant. It represents my grandniece Grace.
8 This carnelian bead pleases me whenever I look at it. Not sure if it's the color or the translucence. I like to think it's my memory of a bowling league in the 70s and a special fan.
9 Skis and boot were a souvenir of skiing trip in 1972. Imagine a Colorado girl going to Wisconsin for a skiing trip.
10 This tiny charm is faith, love and charity (cross, heart and anchor) and it's one of my favorites.
11 Here's a donkey with Pikes Peak banner because who hasn't been an ass in the mountains?
12 This prayer book opens to the Lord's Prayer. The cover is mother of pearl.
13 Dutch sterling wooden shoes -- from our tour of Holland in 1965.
14 This wonderful Indian charm reminds me of a stay in Manitou Springs with Jack...
15 Sterling gnome -- who knows why I have this charm? I don't remember, but it's on my bracelet for good. Same for the piece of turquoise.
16 Jose Carioca, part of Disney's Three Caballeros movie in 1945. This charm was added in 2005 to complete my set. I originally had one Caballero and I found the other two on Ebay!
17 This cuckoo clock charm was purchased in Switzerland in 1965.
18 Next to the clock is the Chapel at the Air Force Academy, the scene of a significant life event for me.
19 Riding the elephant in the zoo in 1972 with Greg and Sara
20 Stanhope charm -- look through the binoculars for a scene of the Golden Gate Bridge and five others. San Francisco is a wonderful memory for me in the 70s.
21 Petite ballet slippers, represent my grandniece Emma and one special recital.
22 This is a 40s sterling heart. It represents my older sister Marlowe who died in 2003.
23 Key to my Heart charm from an old boyfriend.
24 St. Christopher medal charm will keep me protected on the road and in the air. The reverse is actually the more interesting side.
25 Here's the back of the St. Christopher's charm.
26 This was a Christmas gift when I was a senior in college. Next to it is green glass from a vintage Czech necklace. Its matching piece was broken, so I had to take this one off for balance. Instant charm!
27 Part of the artglass I added to the bracelet for color and because it was interesting.
28 Panchito, one of Disney's Three Caballeros and my original charm from Marlowe.
29 I was the roller skating queen. I lived in a very small town and there were only two places to go on a Saturday morning: the kiddie movies or the skating rink. Most of the time, I chose skating. The wheels on the tiny skates roll.
30 This German stein was a souvenir of a boat trip down the Rhine in summer 1965. The top opens and closes. Very appropriate for that trip, where beer was always flowing.
31 This sterling heart was made in the 1940s and represents my brother Norm, who lives in Colorado.
32 I bought this crown in Belgium in 1965, but I think it's more reminiscent of my trips to England 1965 and 1990.
33 Ah, California. I worked at Los Angeles International Airport in 1966 in the Public Relations Dept on summer break from college. Worked hard and had fun.
34 Of course, an Irish girl must have a four leaf clover! This represents my mother, who died in 1974.
35 The Eiffel Tower from the summer of 1965. A summer of fun and new experiences, and I got college credits! What a deal.
36 Another instant charm. Love this piece of green glass. It looks like a jade life saver.
37 Every bracelet should have a patriotic charm, especially these days.
38 The bells are ringing and the next charm should be a wedding ring. Represents Jack and our marriage.
39 Actually, this is an engagement ring, but it stands in for my real wedding ring which combines a round diamond from Jack with 6 smaller diamonds from my mother's wedding band.
40 On my way back to Colorado from Europe, I stopped in New York and attended the 1965-66 World's Fair. I really don't remember much there, but I'll never forget this symbol.
41 And this is Donald Duck, the last of my charms from The Three Amigos!
42 This little beauty is another 40s sterling heart. This one represents Debbie, my youngest sister who died in 1999.
43 This sterling rose represents my dad who died in 1974. Daddy grew the most amazing flowers, especially roses.
44 This piece of yellow glass intrigues me. It is free form shape and transparent, translucent and opaque all in one. The stoplight is for my driver's tests...and that's another story.
45 I collect paperweight jewelry and I was happy to find this glass covered charm that is for my birth month, December.
46 My bracelet may change in the future, but the core charms will always be there.
