October 31, 2009 – 4:40 pm
I’ve never understood people who can’t figure out what to give to those they love, be it at holiday time or birthday, Valentines Day or any other special occasion. Surely if you love someone you know what will delight them, and with a little thought can be tailored to any budget. Write a fancy gift certificate for a romantic massage, set up a house account at a favorite restaurant (the best present my husband ever gave me – and cost not a cent) or yes – you knew I was getting to this – a single charm that expresses something special.
Back in the romantic days of the Renaissance lovers exchanged tiny paintings of a single eye – or lips, recognizable only to the secret loved one, to be gazed at in secret – one wonders if in more modern times other body parts are added to photo charms.
Flowers spoke a language in Victorian charms and the red or white rose charm could express totally different passions when gifted, and hang on a bracelet with perfect propriety, the lust involved known only to the owner, and the giver.
For any feeling, from secret longing to good-bye, the expression in a charm details the life of the wearer. When she looks at it – even decades later, the feeling felt is as strong as the first time. Someone cared enough to find the perfect expression of their feelings, and a moment is captured in time.
Keep the chocolates, flowers, wine and (please please keep the appliances and clothes!) last minute perfume we’ve never liked.
There are a million charms – say something wonderful, maybe something you couldn’t say out loud. We’ll hear you, and think of it every time we wear the charm, for the rest of our lives.
October 13, 2009 – 12:34 am
The first annual charm convention was held last week in Cincinnati Ohio, attended by the core of the collector community. It was hosted by 3 brilliant and incredibly hardworking members of the charm club of Cincinatti, and no matter what it will always be the best – impossible to top Pob’s Pub or the gift bags, the show and tell, the buying, selling, major trading and best of all meeting old friends for the first time. As Pandi would say – we were gobsmacked.
So next year in California? It looks like Pasadena, the weekend of October 8th thru 10th – come early or stay later as you choose if you want to see the sights of Hollywood, Los Angeles, Disneyland etc.
I hope to have the hotel right in Old Town so everything is walking distance, but at the moment they are rather high per night, so I’m still looking. That weekend will be the Rose Bowl Flea Market for anyone interested. Further details to follow – but I would love to get some idea of the number of people we’ll be housing/driving/gifting etc?
you can email me or add your name here under comments.
September 23, 2009 – 1:20 am
The seller calls this charm a magician, I’ve seen it listed as a corpse in a casket, and I think it’s a groom in a hope chest. But tell me what you think? what every girl really needs in her hope chest charm- the GROOM!
open the top and up he pops,
September 4, 2009 – 4:10 pm
Deco styling and fine German enameling make this rare 1910-30's charm a collectors dream
You have to see this auction – it’s an example of research well done and fun to read. Charms of every vintage era become history lessons , and the more we collect and learn the more deeply we appreciate the past and use it to enrich the future. This is the very essence of a sweetheart charm from the first World War. I’d love it on a bracelet with a Touch Wud and a Fums Up, with some Military Puffy Heart charms! Click here to bid on this very rare German enamel charm from WWI
August 25, 2009 – 10:37 pm
Granted the painting isn’t vintage but isn’t it glorious? The idea of such talent using a lovely old frame for a memento mori is brilliant. This is a particularly nice skull in a gold frame of Victorian era. halloween or day of the dead – a classic either way
