Made in USA.jpgI sometimes laugh at myself and the way that I process designs. Lots of influence by things and others. Had a little bit of a road block with charm bracelet bases. Most of the ones done today are very flimsy or obscenely pricey. Ugh. Well, you know the old adage...Necessity is the mother of _______.

So what to do. I decided that I didn't want to invent the wheel so I looked back at some of my antique Jewelry design collection (will have to share more of that later.) I came across a Parisian catalog "Samaritaine" circa 1914. Beautifully illustrated little pamphlet like catalog. Oh the artistry. Sigh. Much has sadly been forgotten in technique. Anyway, I came across a chain I loved and could hand forge (fabricate) in my studio.



blog inspired charm bracele.jpgOne thought leads to another and then I remembered that American icon James Avery is know for hand forging charm bracelets. AHA! I happen to have one. What I didn't like is that all the links are the same size so the charms will twist and you have to fight to get the charms to all hang in one direction (see center bracelet in pic below). Back to the Parisian catalog.







Here is what I came up with. Two styles (both far left). One is an oval. The other a round. One lighter (the oval) and one heavier (the round). Granted they are on a more substantial scale than the James Avery (center). I want our bracelets to have some heft.

blog inspired charm bracelets 2.jpg


I love them but there is always room for improvement. What do you think? Any thoughts to share?

18 Comments

Vicki H

Date 9/22/2015

Dana Iverson

Date 9/22/2015

Judith Harris

Date 9/22/2015

Tina S

Date 9/22/2015

Dryden Barnes

Date 9/22/2015

Dryden Barnes

Date 9/22/2015

Dryden Barnes

Date 9/22/2015

barbara leitschaft

Date 9/22/2015

Dryden Barnes

Date 9/22/2015

Dryden Barnes

Date 9/22/2015

Linda L M

Date 9/22/2015

Linda L M

Date 9/22/2015

Teresa yost

Date 9/22/2015

Melinda Alvarez

Date 9/22/2015

Mary Lynne Zahler

Date 9/22/2015

Lisa Maloy-Perez

Date 9/22/2015

Kathy Ayscue

Date 10/2/2015

Melinda Alvarez

Date 10/4/2015

Add a Comment. We'd love to hear from you!