Part of the fun in charm bracelets is creating them to personalize the recipient's passions, achievements and hobbies. The beads and charms each will symbolize some event or even some secret between you and whoever receives it. Still, it can be a bit overwhelming once you begin looking at all of the choices in silver beads, glass beads and even crystal beads. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Who is the gift for? If you're creating a necklace or bracelet for a young girl, perhaps a granddaughter or niece, you'll want to make your selections ones that will grow with her. She will add to it as she experiences all of the incredible life events she will soon know. Select a bracelet that's both feminine but sturdy. The timeless choice is silver, but gold is also a popular look. If she's still a baby, consider a charm that has her birthstone. This is always a beautiful way to honor both mom and daughter. Incorporate the time of year, too. For instance, if her birthday is in March or April, a delicate flower with her birthstone centered in the design is perfect. For those winter babies, we suggest a whimsical snowman, again, with her birthstone included. You'll be able to easily incorporate beads and charms as she grows.
Don't forget to memorialize religious ceremonies, first day of school, the day she makes the cheerleading squad, homecoming queen or plays in her first piano recital. These moments are what keep us warm throughout our lives.
We haven't left the guys out. New trends reveal more men are beginning to get in on the bracelet craze. Some are incorporating leather straps versus gold or silver chains. There are a lot of good looking wood beads that work really well with silver beads and lampwork beads. They're very masculine and allow a guy to add a bit of personality to his wardrobe. Cowboy hats, horses, sports cars, footballs and of course, graduation caps and diplomas all work well for a men's bracelet. Have a surfer in the family? Choose some colorful beads to incorporate with a surfboard design. Also, guys tend to be a bit harder on their jewellery and accessories, so be sure to choose quality glass beads.
Recently, a family come together to celebrate its matriarch's birthday. She has five children, eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Each family member chose a special charm and crystal beads that represented a special time they had spent with her. The choices were combined on a lovely bracelet and presented to her on her 99th birthday. She now has a truly unique jewelry design that is symbolic of all that's good in this life: family, love and kindness. She is quite proud of showing off her charm bracelet that includes a baseball bat her son chose because she taught him how to play ball when his father was fighting in the war; a chef's hat from another son who remembers her teaching him how to cook before he left for college; and a small typewriter from a granddaughter who wished to show her appreciation to a grandmother who encouraged her to pen her first novel.