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!

My Aunt Josie taught me to understand the Fall. Josie was my mom’s baby sister, the youngest of her family and more of a friend to me than just about anyone! We were friends first, family second. We shared jewelry, outfits, music, and books, and our summers, hanging out at her ranch. Josie was whip smart, financially independent and a fearless horsewoman. I think my mom was half terrified and half hopeful that I would take after her.

Personally, I’ve always lumped Fall with that impending dread of school, and the end of Summer was somewhat a time of adolescent gloom. I just hated that all the leaves, flowers and grass would be dying, and the days would get shorter, and there was just that unbearable sense of ENDING. I preferred springtime, the sense of new things growing and the excitement of a Summer full of fun ahead!

Aunt Josie loved autumn. And she took it kind of personal that I didn’t. Over the course of our summers together, she did manage to convert me to appreciate the changes brought by this season of death. Renewal of the earth and all that jazz. That leaves would die in a blaze of glorious color, fall to the ground and renew the earth, so that new green leaves would appear on that tree come spring… she was really into that. She always said, spring can’t happen without fall passing before.

Those lessons of renewal and rebirth are really important to me, now, because Aunt Josie passed away 3 years ago, a victim of breast cancer. We totally didn’t see it coming, and if she knew about it much beforehand, she didn’t let on. I don’t mind saying that I was really scared, for a while…could it happen to me? I found a ton of stuff to read about detecting and preventing breast cancer, and lots of great organizations that are spending money on helping other women with the disease…but it’s still a very chilling thought.

At the end of our last summer together, Aunt Josie gave me a back-to-school gift of a necklace, a delicate glass pendant in the shape of a new spring green leaf. It was kind of an inside joke, I guess, from the Fall Fanatic to the girl who preferred the spring. When I wear it, I think of renewal, and rebirth. Instead of being sad about Josie, I try to think of the women who have and will survive to see the next Spring.

PINK is absolutely everywhere right now. But this isn’t some teenie-bopper girlie fashion trend that just hit the “cool” shops. Pink is the color which signifies a cause closely associated with many women.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the annual campaign which has been wholeheartedly embraced by the fashion industry. Even Glamour Mag has a full spread on Thinking Pink!

Wearing pink is a great way to show support for an important charity, and some products even donate a portion of the proceeds!

Joanna Schlip is a world renowned makeup artist who has put makeup on many celebrity faces. I don’t have enough room to list them all but let’s just say she’s prettied up faces from Alicia Silverstone to Zooey Deschanel and everyone in between. According to a recent interview she gave, what are her favorites? Frosty pink lipstick and hot-pink nail polish!

ACCESSORIZE

You don’t have to go pink from head to toe to look great and lend your support. From catwalk models photographed by David Bailey, to lipsticks, bags, pink brooches and necklaces, there won’t be a reason to miss the campaign this October!

Do as the celebrities are doing and don a Breast Cancer fitted T-shirt. Or funk up an outfit with a wide-range of pink jewelry available. Or a pink wallet or handbag. Scarves and hats do well with pink highlights, especially for a night out on the town.

SAVING LIVES

2006 marks the 22nd anniversary of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which is designed to educate women about breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment.

Since the program began in 1985, mammography rates have more than doubled for women age 50 and older, breast cancer deaths have declined and the initiative has grown to be one of the most recognizable health awareness initiatives in the United States.

So show your support this month… and add a little color to your wardrobe.

This Pink Teardrop Murano Glass Pendant Necklace is only $17.99

Yes, I know – summer is over and fall is already here. But…I’m still holding on to those last few sunny days as much as I can, and wearing pink sure does get me in a happy mood!

And, best of all, I hope that by adding a nice splash of pink to my wardrobe or accessories, I can do my part to raise some awareness of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Some great ideas are the pink ribbons or wristbands, but a splash of color in the accessory department can have a great effect, and look amazing too! Try a sheer scarf with your black dress, pink pendants, earrings, or do it my way – by wearing a pink brooch throughout the month.

My favorite in my collection is a Musical Note Pink Brooch, but being a brooch girl, I do have many!

So, yes, although fall has definitely set in and the Fall Colors are taking over, try to brighten your day once in a while during October by wearing some pink. It’ll bring smiles reminding you of sunny summer days; all the while you’ll be showing your support to those millions of women who truly need it.

My mom sure will love you for it too!

Musical Note Pink Brooch for only $8

If you’re starting to feel a chill in the air, then you’re feeling the same thing I am – fall is really here! The month of September is coming to an end, while autumn comes to its peak.

As the trees are turning their beautiful autumn colors, so the colors and shapes of the fashions of the season are changing and evolving.

WHAT’S HOT THIS FALL

This year, styles from years ago are again at the top of the “must-have” lists for fall fashion. Leggings and knits are definitely leading the way.

Leggings were one of the top fashion icons of the 1980’s and they’re back again. For me, it’s just not going to happen, but it sure is fun to see all the young girls dressing up like I used to in high school!

On the other hand, I’m certainly happy about seeing knits popping up everywhere! They’re comfortable, stylish and not too pricey.

COLORS COLORS COLORS!

Last season’s white sensation has made a bold turn with red taking over as the “hot” color for this fall season. Whether you find it in shades of cherry, cranberry, or tomato, red will always turn heads. It’s classy, easy to accessorize, and always available.

When not going for a bold statement with the reds, there are other great colors making a big splash this fall! Teal blue is great around the office, and plum purple is quickly becoming the new black!

Personally, I love the purples best. You can pair it with winter white, sienna, and a whole range of other colors. Accent with mother of pearl, and you’ve got the perfect classy combo.

CHOICES

Whatever you choose, try to focus on color combinations more than the style. We all know we’re not 22 any more (well, some of you are!) – so the hottest little skirt isn’t always the top priority. But, getting those wonderful fall colors and the accessories to match will make your outfits just right for you!

Ooh La La! Red Murano Glass Bracelet - $12.99

This Mother of Pearl Pendant is beautiful with all the fall colors and is only about $25!

So there you have it. Get into fall with some great colors and comfortable styles! - Summer

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Hi Everyone!

Well you know how much I love to look fabulous and Tiffany is the absolute perfect fit. Buying Tiffany is a big deal though, it’s pricey, so eBay, Craigslist and person-to-person sites are great places to find deals. Be careful though, there are lots of shysters out there and Tiffany is popular. Tiffany knock offs are a dime a dozen.

So whether you’re looking for a Tiffany purse, Tiffany make-up or perfume, a pair of Tiffany sunglasses, shoes or a beautiful Tiffany belt, here’s some starter tips on buying Tiffany online.

Know Your Tiffany Products

Here’s the basics so you’ll feel comfortable that you’re getting the real goods!

1. Read item details carefully when looking for Tiffany products.
2. Make sure the Tiffany product actually exists! Visit Tiffany’s official site and check Tiffany products, descriptions and details carefully. Make sure the Tiffany product on eBay or Craigslist looks like the same item. Common fakes will have a different button, color changes, size differences and the like.
3. A new Tiffany bag that retails for $1000.00 but is being sold on eBay for $50.00 is probably a fake.
4. Make sure you’re buying an ‘authentic’ Tiffany product. Don’t buy if the Tiffany seller doesn’t mention authenticity.
5. Pictures posted shouldn’t be stock Tiffany photos. (the same as from the catalog) Pictures should be of the actual Tiffany product itself – if the person could afford something from Tiffany, but not even a single picture of it, don’t waste your time!
6. Figure delivery costs into your Tiffany product’s final price. If you’re spending a lot on your Tiffany the seller should insure it when it ships.
7. Never pay for your Tiffany product using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram – this way you’re protected if all seems to go wrong.

Know Your Tiffany Seller

Taking a little extra time to research the seller can go a long way in protecting your investment!

1. Research your Tiffany seller so you feel positive and secure. See what else they’re selling, what kind of contact info do they provide, are they secretive?
2. Check the Tiffany seller’s Feedback rating, when available. How many Tiffany transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses on Tiffany purchases do they have?
3. What do buyers of Tiffany say in their Feedback? Did the Tiffany seller receive praise?
4. Most top sellers have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee on your Tiffany purchase? What are their terms and conditions for buying Tiffany?
5. When you pay for your Tiffany with PayPal or Google Payments, the seller never sees your bank account or credit card numbers. Both protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments. PayPal Buyer Protection, for example, covers your Tiffany purchase for up to $1,000.

The simple line is this – be careful, be wary of something that’s too good to be true, and take just a little extra time to check up on the seller!

Whatever Tiffany you choose, however you choose to buy it, Tiffany is quality merchandise. Get the Tiffany you want and enjoy – safely.

This Round Cut Sunflower CZ Ring is a pretty good alternative at about $15!

Yellow gold is beautiful. Not only is yellow gold the traditional choice for wedding and engagement bands, it’s also a beautiful and practical setting for gemstones. Yellow gold jewelry never goes out of style.

One of the reasons yellow gold is so widely cherished and appreciated is because it can be worked into almost any shape. From thin and delicate strands to very thin sheets, yellow gold can be manipulated into nearly any shape the jewelry artist desires. Because of this, there is great potential for yellow gold in the creation of truly beautiful and unique jewelry designs.

Furthermore, pure yellow gold does not tarnish and rarely causes problems for people with skin irritations.

The Purity of Yellow Gold Jewelry

If you look at your favorite yellow gold ring you’ll notice it’s marked 18K, 14K, or 10K. The K stands for karat. This system is used to describe the percentage of pure gold in any given item.

24K yellow gold is 100% gold. 24K gold is not appropriate for jewelry making because it is too soft. A better option for yellow gold jewelry is 18K gold. 18K yellow gold, marked ‘750’ in Europe, is made of 18 parts gold and 6 parts of one or more additional metals. This makes 18K yellow gold 75% gold.

14K yellow gold, marked 585 in Europe, contains 14 parts gold and 10 parts additional metals, making it 58.3% gold. 12K yellow gold is 12 parts gold and 12 parts additional metals, making it 50% gold and 10K yellow gold, marked 417 in Europe, contains 10 parts gold and 14 parts of additional metals, making it 41.7% gold. In the United States, 10K gold is the minimum karat that can be called “gold.” In the United States, the term ‘solid gold’ can be used to describe an item that’s at least 10K gold all the way through.

The difference between an 18K yellow gold ring and a 10K gold ring is obvious. Whereas an 18K gold ring will be rich in color and shine, a 10K yellow gold ring will not have the color or luster as a ring made of a purer yellow gold.

Gold is pricey. In fact, it’s getting more expensive everyday. If you just don’t have the budget or the inclination to spend lots of money on solid gold jewelry, 14k gold filled jewelry is a wonderful alternative to pure 14k gold.

14k gold filled jewelry is a solid layer of 14k gold bonded to the outside of a base metal such as brass. What’s the difference between 14k gold filled jewelry and 14k gold plate? 14k gold filled has significantly more gold than the few microns of gold in gold plate. Actually, 14k gold filled jewelry has a hundred or more times gold than gold plate.

Under the normal wear and with the care you would give any precious metal jewelry, 14K gold filled jewelry will not flake or peel. 14k gold filled jewelry can be treasured for years.

Like solid 14k gold, 14k gold filled jewelry is tarnish-resistant and safe for most people with sensitive skin. In the end, 14k gold filled jewelry is a beautiful and economical alternative to solid 14k gold.

You can’t go wrong with 14k gold filled jewelry!