Italian Charm Bracelet

Every year it’s the same drill: the Christmas decorations go up ever closer to the Halloween decorations just barely coming down!

The next thing you know, it’s Thanksgiving.

Then it’s the time for good cheer, for gathering our family and friends together and for celebrating the many joys of the season.

That’s when the morning paper weighs a ton because of all the sale circulars for the mother of all shopping days, Black Friday.

Sure, there are good deals to be had, but oftentimes getting to those deals requires dragging yourself out of bed at oh-dark-thirty so you can join the rush for the much-desired loss leader at your local retailer when it opens before the birds even start chirping.

Of course, the Internet has changed all that. It’s now quite possible (and even feasible) to make it through your entire shopping list without leaving the comfort of your warm, toasty home. You can even find some excellent deals that way.

But there’s still one problem with this comfy scenario: what do you get for that person who seems to have everything? What do you buy, other than clothes, for that person who is into fashion? What do you get for someone that really loves something personal? All these, and more, are where Italian Charms come in quite perfectly.

Italian Charms make great gifts for moms, dads, friends, and more. There are literally thousands and thousands of designs to choose from – and with many priced under $10, you’re sure to find something to fit your budget (OR, you can afford to get a few!)

As far as styles, you can select one designed for the person that collects a particular theme, like elephants, cats, angels and many more. Even better yet, you can get a Custom Laser Italian Charm or a Custom Photo Italian Charm!

These custom Italian charms allow you to choose your own name, phrase, or picture and have it placed on an Italian Charm – what better way to give a fun, fashionable, and most importantly, a thoughtful gift!

Italian Charms?

Ok, here’s the “brief” in case you’re new to the Italian Charm craze. Charms and keepsakes have been around for thousands of years, but it was not until the 20th century that charms became decorative fashion jewelry.

In 2001, fashion industries made it popular once again to wear charm bracelets. Since then a huge flood of styles and brands have entered America and most all of them have been accepted with open arms. Walk thru a crowd of people and you are almost sure to see a few bracelets, most of which have precious memories captured inside.

While traditional charms dangle, Italian charms feature individual pieces soldered flat onto the surface of a charm link. These flat, modular pieces form an Italian charm bracelet when they are hooked together.

Here’s the best part: since Italian charms have standardized sizing, they are compatible across brands!!

Building a Bracelet

The standard sized Italian charm is 9mm, which is measured diagonally across the piece. However, Italian charms are also available in small (5mm), large (13mm) and mega (18mm) sizes. Usually it takes around 16-18 charms to build a full bracelet.

When looking into purchasing Italian charms, you will come across the term starter bracelet. You will need to begin with a starter bracelet, which consists of eighteen blank links. In order to create a personalized Italian charm bracelet, these blank links are replaced, one by one, with selected designs of Italian charms.

The best bet is to replace around 3-5 of the blank links with Italian Charms – this will make a nice-looking Italian Charm Bracelet. Or, just start with 1 or 2 as a gift, and you’ve given someone a new collectible hobby!

Getting Started – Choose a Theme!

Italian charm collecting is similar to creating a wardrobe that is thoughtfully put together to reflect your personality and taste. Before you begin purchasing individual charms it is a good to decide on how the pieces will work together. You will want to choose a theme for your bracelet. This theme could be anything – a list of family names, pictures from a vacation, animals, hobbies, or anything that you think fits!

You may want to focus on one color or even color combination. With so many choices available in charms, you can get as specific as you’d like with your theme. Another idea is to make a keepsake bracelet that tells your life story. With this kind of a theme, your charms can be selected or even custom made to commemorate achievements, and various aspects of your personality and life.

Where to Buy?

Purchasing Italian charms on eBay is exciting because there are thousands from which to choose. Often times you’ll find quick-selling auctions that start as low at $0.99, at the same time, finding some of the most beautiful and high-end Italian Charms on the market.

And with that, Happy Holidays and Happy Charm Shopping!

Getting Creative with Italian Charms

Buying birthday gifts is tough! We want to give the perfect gift. Sometimes we just don’t know what to buy. This is what I faced this year as my long-time friend Amy’s birthday approached. What to get her? What to get her!

Amy’s favorite thing in the world is her little pug, Fluffy. She loves that dog! She also loves Italian charms. I thought to make her a Fluffy-themed Italian charms bracelet with custom and pre-designed Italian charms. As I was choosing Italian charms for Amy’s bracelet though, I had an Italian charms epiphany: Amy would love an Italian charms collar for Fluffy!

I picked Italian charms with doggies, ordered Italian charms with Amy’s pictures, Italian charms with Fluffy’s pictures, Italian charms with Amy and Fluffy together. I also bought standard Italian charms to fit the doggy theme. The collar was packed with photo Italian charms, laser Italian charms and painted Italian charms. It was beautiful! It was a blast!

By the time I put the Italian charms collar together I was really excited. The Italian charms looked great! What’s better, Amy loved Fluffy’s Italian charms collar and Fluffy did too. She said it was the perfect gift! Ooh the things you can do with Italian charms: the possibilities are endless!

Once you get comfortable with assembling an Italian charm bracelet, the process is quick and simple.  To begin, you may want to use a tool to hold the links open while adding an Italian charm to your Italian charm bracelet. Tools designed for Italian charm bracelets are available, but a nail file or another strong, small tool will also work well.

Begin with either a starter Italian charm bracelet or a partially assembled Italian charm bracelet. The Italian charms are attached to a loop on the back of the Italian charm bracelet. In order to add the Italian charm, you need to expand the Italian charm bracelet links outward, pressing down with your thumb to keep it in place.

First, hold the Italian charm bracelet in the palm of your hand leaving your index finger and thumb free. Grasp the opposite end of the Italian charm bracelet with the other hand and pull to stretch the links. The links will not break! This exposes the hooks to which the charms are attached.

Press down firmly on the Italian charm bracelet with your left hand to hold the links open. For a first time starter Italian charm bracelet you’ll begin at the last link on the right side. The link opening is on each Italian charms left side. Slide the Italian charm onto the end of the Italian charm bracelet while holding the link open.

Italian Charm Bracelet: Removing Links

To remove links, hold the Italian charm bracelet in your left hand. Allow your index finger and thumb to remain free. Grasp the opposite end of the Italian charm bracelet and pull outward.  Your hands should be horizontal. Loops on the back of each charm link allow you to hook charms on or off.  Using your right hand, slide the charm to the right then push the right link toward the bottom to remove it. The charm will slide downward and then off your Italian charm bracelet.

Rearranging Italian charm bracelets is fun.  Have a blast!

While considered a “standard size” Italian charm, Super Link Italian charms are twice as wide as standard 9mm charms. With the same height as standard charms, super link Italian charms are a long horizontal piece. Super link Italian charms are also easily linked with standard charms. In contrast to double link Italian charms which feature two separate pieces creating one design, super link Italian charms are one solid piece the size of two charms links.

Super link Italian charms are a great way to spice up your Italian charm collection!

The sizes of super link Italian charms allow for more detail and design on the charm as well as a varied look for your bracelet. Super link Italian charms are an eye-catching way to display your birthstone or zodiac sign. Their shape is also perfect for license plate Italian charms, showing off your home state!

If you love Italian charm bracelets as much as I do, you’re sure to love super link Italian charms too!

Caring for your Italian charms is easy! By taking a few simple steps you can ensure a long life for your Italian charm collection.  Italian charms made from high quality stainless steel won’t tarnish with daily wear. However, oils from your skin and exposure to dirt or even hairspray will eventually dull the appearance of your Italian charms. Keep your Italian charms looking great with regular cleaning.

What to Do:

• Clean your Italian charms once a week by gently wiping it with a soft cleaning cloth. This will help your Italian charms maintain their sparkle and gleam. A simple jewelry polishing cloth is perfect for this purpose.
• When you’re not wearing your Italian charms, store them in a separate container from other jewelry. This will prevent the Italian charms from rubbing against other jewelry and becoming scratched. Try storing your Italian charms in soft jewelry or plastic bags.  I think the best place to store Italian charms is in an Italian charms display.

What to Avoid:

• Avoid showering or swimming with your Italian charms.
• Keep your Italian charms away from chemicals or cleaning solvents. This means, if your Italian charm bracelet is going to get wet when you wash dishes, remove it.
• Remove your Italian charms while participating in sports. Italian charms are durable but avoiding any rough contact will preserve the life of your bracelet.
• Take special care when wearing, or cleaning, a dangling Italian charms. The dangling pieces are strongly adhered to the Italian charm, but remain especially delicate. Handle with extra care to avoid damage to these fun styles.

Charm bracelets are fun to wear.  Recently, as I was cleaning my drawers and cabinets, I came across all sorts of odds and ends: a single earring, a ring with no stone, a pretty bead, some sea glass, buttons, shells, little bells and other things.  The idea came to me that I should create a homemade charm bracelet.

I’m sure glad I did!  I love my new homemade charm bracelet!

Because I had so much fun making my charm bracelet, I thought I would tell you how you can make a homemade charm bracelet too.

How to make your own charm bracelet:

You’ll need some supplies to begin making your charm bracelet.  You’ll need a strand of thick chain about 7 inches long for your charm bracelet chain.  You can find your charm bracelet chain at any jewelry store.  You’ll also need about 25-30 medium sized jump rings, 25-30 2 inch long eye pins, needle nose pliers with a cutter, your charms, some beads and a hand drill for your charm bracelet if you want to drill holes in any of your charms that don’t have one.

The next step in making a charm bracelet is visionary.  This is when you decide the look of your charm bracelet.  Sort your charms according to size, color, style or whatever you choose. Try to create a sense of congruency in your charm bracelet.  Lay your charms in a row and switch them around, trying different charm bracelet looks. 

You’ve now chose the look of your charm bracelet!

For the next step in making your charm bracelet, add the smallest charms, then the beads to the eye pins with your pliers. Continue stringing beads onto more eye pins to attach to your charm bracelet.

You will already see your charm bracelet coming together!

To assemble your charm bracelet, connect a jump ring to each charm, using the pliers to attach it to a charm bracelet link.  Keep your charms in order.  To fill in your charm bracelet, add the beaded eye pins. For a busier look, add more beads to your charm bracelet.  For a cleaner look, add fewer beads to your charm bracelet.

However you design your charm bracelet, your sure to love it!

About Laser Italian Charms

Crafted from stainless steel, laser Italian charms provide an elegant twist to Italian charms.  Custom laser Italian charms are created from stainless steel bracelet links engraved with symbols, artwork, text or phrases.  Because the dark grey etching stands in striking contrast to the shiny steel, these Italian charms have crisp, detailed images and text.

The Creation of Laser Italian Charms

Laser Italian charms are created using a special engraving machine.  In this process, stainless steel blank links are “burned” with images or text. A special coating is then applied to the laser Italian charms and sealed with a laser beam.  Because the artwork and text is etched into the steel itself, laser Italian charms are not only unique and beautiful, but durable as well. 

Custom Laser Italian Charms

Custom laser Italian charms are made just for you.  With custom laser Italian charms, the images are of your choosing. As long as they’re simple enough to fit on the laser Italian charms, any letter, symbol, phrase or image can be used in the creation of your custom laser Italian charms*.  These unique laser Italian charms are a great way to express yourself and your personality.  Laser Italian charms offer countless ways to share who you are and what you love!      

There are many unique and beautiful custom laser Italian charms to design.  Although laser Italian charms feature hundreds of sayings and names, custom laser Italian charms make your jewelry even more special!

*Copyrighted text, logos or images cannot be lasered onto custom laser Italian charms unless you own the rights and provide proof of their ownership.

Italian Charms Starters & Accessories

Accessorizing your look with Italian charms has never been easier. Sport your Italian charms on a classic Italian charms bracelet or have fun exploring new styles! Italian charms add panache to key chains, cell straps, watches and necklaces. Which will become your favorite? 

Italian Charms Bracelets

Begin by creating your own signature Italian charms bracelet. With a starter Italian charms bracelet, getting started is simple and fun. A starter consists of a standard sized bracelet made of 18 blank links. As your collection of Italian charms grows, swap out blank links for personalized Italian charms. Blank tiles can be used to stagger Italian charms and add a clean look or an entire bracelet can be created from Italian charms. To get this look, simply select as many Italian charms as will fit your wrist. Have a blast with the endless possibilities of Italian charms bracelets!

Italian Charms Key Chains

Add some personality to your key set!  A key chain is ideal for the Italian charms beginner. An Italian charms key chain is a great way to get started and enjoy your Italian charms every day, Veterans will love the versatility!  Italian charms can be swapped between bracelets and key chains. Show your style in every season with an Italian charms key chain to reflect holidays or your favorite sports team.

Italian Charms Necklaces 

Show off your favorite Italian charms on a necklace. Dangling like a pendant, the Italian charms can be switched to suit your mood. Italian charms necklaces are a great way to draw attention to that special Italian Charm or make a strong, stylish statement.  Birthstone Italian Charms are striking on a necklace, and fun designs make a great conversation piece.

Italian Charms Cell Straps

Face it: Your cell phone goes everywhere with you - so should your favorite Italian Charms! Each Italian charms strap loops onto your phone and comes with one blank link. Adding your own style is easy when you hook as many Italian charms as you’d like onto the starter link. Accessorize with an Italian charms cell strap and make your phone truly unique.

Italian Charms Watches

Go beyond the Italian charms bracelet! Italian charms add inspiration to your wrist watch with these special designs. Each Italian charms watch features fourteen blank links that can be swapped with your personally selected Italian Charms.

Whatever your Italian Charms style, have fun!  There’s a world of Italian charms out there just waiting to be explored!

The best way to display your collection of Italian charms is by wearing your Italian charms! You can enjoy your Italian charms on bracelets, cell phone straps, necklaces and key chains. However, when your collection grows large, you may need to find new ways to display your Italian charms.

Have you ever thought of displaying your own Italian charms collection? Well Italian charms display cases are available in many designs to suit your style. Fill your Italian charms display with seasonal, holiday or birthday Italian charms.  Italian charms displays are a great way to show off those Italian charms you love but can’t wear year-round.

There are many things you can do with your Italian charms display.  Display a specific theme of Italian charms. Then, if you want to change the look of your Italian charms bracelet, you can select from your own selection of Italian charms to create that special combination. Another idea is to keep a display case of Italian charms that you intend to give as gifts. When a birthday or holiday approaches, your Italian charms display case is ready with a collection of charms to choose from.

Italian charms display cases are a great way to show off your favorite Italian charms at any time!

Crafted from stainless steel, laser Italian charms offer a sophisticated twist on the Italian charm. Featuring a crisp look and clear design, laser Italian charms add extra personality to your look. Symbols, letters and sayings are just the beginning! Laser Italian charms offer countless ways to express who you are and what you love.

Laser Italian Charms Image Types

Say anything with laser Italian charms. Laser Italian charms feature your favorite funny or inspiring saying. Laser Italian charms reflect most every hobby, interest, career or personality. Laser Italian charms capture your world perfectly.

Standard Laser Italian Charms

Standard laser Italian charms feature blank stainless steel links lasered with an image or text. After the application of a special coating, the laser Italian charm is sealed with a laser beam which burns the image or text onto the charm. This process gives laser Italian charms their sleek, sharp look.

Custom Laser Italian Charms

Sometimes you want a personalized laser Italian charm. Customized laser Italian charms offer that individuality. These laser Italian charms are created in the same manner as standard laser Italian charms except the image “burned” onto the stainless steel charm is the customer’s chosen design.

What Can Be Lasered onto a Laser Italian Charm?

Any letter, symbol, phrase or image can be burned onto a laser Italian charm provided it’s simple enough to appear clearly on the charm. Copyrighted text, logos or images cannot be used unless the customer owns the rights and provides proof of their ownership. For example, an owner of a company has the right to create a laser Italian charm featuring the company logo.

Laser Italian Charm Text Limitations

Laser Italian charms are a standard 9mm sized Italian charm. Each charm accommodates a maximum of 23 characters. Choose from stock fonts and the font will be sized according to the number of characters ordered. Although standard laser Italian charms are available featuring hundreds of sayings and names, customized orders make your charms even more special!

Get a Custom Laser Italian Charm for Under $10!