Totally Charming - Charms Of Yesterday And Today

Charms have a long and colorful history, but as their name suggests, their initial use had more to do with the paranormal and mysterious than cosmetic jewelry. Coveted by Egyptians, Greeks and Romans, it wasn?t until the late 19th Century that their rise to a predominately fashion-oriented audience took hold. Nevertheless, more than other forms of jewelry, charm bracelets and necklaces often tell a story.

The ancient Egyptians, people obsessed by beauty and mysticism, were the first culture to make collecting charms for bracelets and necklaces an exclusive hobby, creating bejeweled charms of precious metals and gemstones. These LA-esque bling-obsessed poseurs of yesterday, fashioned all sorts of charms to ward off evil, denote status, and like their other beaded designs, prepare them for a glorious afterlife. While we have no idea how they fared in that higher place, we can thank them for leaving some remarkable pieces of jewelry and an art that has transcended through the ages.

Not to be outdone, Christians in Roman times used a special charm called an ichthys shaped in a child-like image of a fish. You might think ichthys means fish in some archaic tongue but, it is in fact, an acronym from the ancient Greek for ?Jesus Christ God?s Son Is Saviour?. Given this literal interpretation, it?s hardly surprising these fish-shaped charms were a mark for certain death to bearers if discovered. However, they were successfully used as a method to identify fellow Christians, although they were kept well hidden under clothes unless in a safe environment.

Similarly, centuries later, medieval knights adorned themselves with charms when heading into battle in the hope their charms would mysteriously bring victory and safety. Their wives too wore charms of precious metals as tokens of luck during childbirth and to ensure their family was protected against disease. Even surgeons of the day wore them, and given the patient mortality rates, you can understand why ? they needed all the help they could get! You can still find bracelets from this time in English antique stores. They?re very expensive but utterly fascinating.

Although charm bracelets and necklaces never completely died out, by the Renaissance, attraction to all things mystical waned. It was Queen Victoria who rediscovered their appeal during the 19th Century. She often said she was not really interested in jewelry, but given the collection of treasures she amassed, it seems quite likely she had her fingers crossed behind her back when she said this. The Queen had effigies of her children and later grandchildren made, which she attached to bracelets. She often included them as gifts to female member of her enormous, extended family ? the most popular being portraits of her beloved Albert.

It?s from Victoria?s interest that charm bracelets and necklaces became family heirlooms with enormous sentimentality attached to them. For families, each charm told a story of the previous wearer and also provided an opportunity for the current generation to add onto for the next in the family line. As eras changed, so did the styles of the charm bracelet. Consequently today, antique charms reflect designs from the Georgian through to Art Nouveau periods.

During and after World War II, collecting charms for bracelets and necklaces became even more popular. Soldiers picked up charms throughout Europe and Asia as mementos for their loved ones and the increase in travel meant charms were bought as souvenirs by those lucky enough to be able to afford leaving their own shores.

Modern charms can be made from just about any material, cost permitting. Gold and silver aside, some of the most magnificent charms are studded with precious jewels or the jewels themselves set in drops. Thankfully, the production of pewter has made charm collecting far more accessible for most of us and you can find truly lovely and interesting charms at very affordable prices in both silver and gold colors.

Of course, there are no rules when beginning to create a charm bracelet or necklace. It?s probably best to stick to one color metal but the theme can be anything you want ? ancient Egypt, celestial (sun, moon and stars), animals or insects, fashion etc. Charm bracelets make ideal, interesting and cost-effective presents as the recipient can then add charms of their choice. It also means you can present further charms on other occasions to add to the bracelet. Most importantly, like anything to do with beads and jewelry-making, creating charm bracelets and necklaces should be fun!

Tracy Stillman is a freelance writer and the owner of Not Just Beadz, an online bead shop which provides quality beads and beading supplies at affordable prices. http://www.notjustbeadz.com

Wine Charms for Every Occasion

Wondering what to gift your hostess for today?s cocktail party? Here is the perfect gift. Wine charms. It is as charming as it sounds. Perfect for dinners, get-togethers, parties, wine tasting events and theme parties. With an attractive wine charm, you can keep track of your glass, as it will be tagged with an elegant charm. It can also be used for beer mugs and other glasses. Wouldn?t it be fun to tag a Monopoly wine charm to your glass? With pieces such as Free Parking, Community Chest and Go To Jail, it will surely make excellent conversation. At a poker game, you could choose the poker wine charm, which comes with six different cards. Loop it around your glass and you are surely bound to win!

Going to a bridal shower? Or a wedding party? Carry along a set of Pewter Wine Charms. It comes with a wedding car and cake, a wedding invitation and a bride and groom! It is ideal for the occasion. Do you prefer gold and silver metal beads? You can get it at just $9.99. It comes along with a silver pouch. For the same price you can get gambler charms, mythical charms and art charms. If you are looking for elegance and a little class, then multi-colored beads should be your choice. For those who love the sea, there is a boating wine charm. It has several attachments such as an anchor, wheel and sail. For beach lovers there is a beach wine charm complete with sun, sea and surf!

Or maybe you prefer a BBQ wine charm or a Big Money Pewter Wine Charm, both available at $9.99. A perfect gift for a woman would be a flower based wine charm, which looks so attractive you will want to carry it away with you. If you host is a stargazer, then the celestial wine charm is best suited. There really is a charm for every occasion. You name it and someone has already created it. Such a variety is difficult to find in other products. These wine charms are made with such precision and care that one would think it should be more expensive. However, wine charms are quite affordable and you can buy one that suits your taste.

For example, a golfer could go for the golf wine charm and an artist can go for the art wine charm. You can even find wine charm that relate to different countries in the world. The Egyptian wine charm comes with colored beads. During the festive season of Christmas, the Christmas wine charm is very apt. There is wine charms based on dogs, cats, insects, pets, wild animals, medicine, winter? the list goes on.

John Lamont is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.acewineracks.com/fine.pl/building-kedco-plan.html an online resource for all kinds of wine racks, including wall wine racks, metal wine racks and more

A Circle of Life Diamond Pendant Will Round Out Your Existence

If you're in the market for a pendant or necklace, there are almost infinite varieties, shapes, and sizes to choose from. Whether it's a circle of life diamond pendant or black pearl necklace, they are a great treat or gift to give on birthdays and holidays. Here are the top five choices people are making for necklaces and pendants.

? A sterling silver ID pendant that displays the recipient's name in a readable script is popular. There are three Austrian crystals just below the name that match the birth stone color. It hangs on a neat diamond rolo chain.

? Once again, Austrian crystals adorn this gorgeous Heart's Birthstone Necklace, complete with a dangling 10-inch chain that has interspersed spacer beads.

? Angel Birthstone Charms are a top-selling item and you have a choice again of Austrian crystal birthstone colors. Complete with 14-K gold plating, or you can add your own gold necklace chain, if you wish.

? The Sterling Silver Mother's Birthstone Charm Pendant is popular and is meant, of course, for moms and grandmothers. It has an asymmetrical sterling heart, which makes a great gift for a loved one, personalized with their birthstone color. It comes complete with a 20-inch sterling silver chain.

? And finally the Birthstone Baby Bootie Charm is a wonderful necklace and is also a good choice for mothers or grandmothers who want to commemorate their children's birth month in a unique way. A single gem sits in the opening of the shoe and the charm dangles by itself on a chain.

The floating heart diamond necklace is also immensely popular and is absolutely gorgeous! It comes with a stunning chain that adjusts from 16 to 18 inches and has a very sturdy lobster-claw clasp. The pendant is 1 ? inches by 1 ? inches and is a very thick piece. This is not a flimsy or cheap piece and is sold at auctions regularly. It is heavily layered in Rhodium to give you many years of carefree wear. A circle of life diamond pendant is the number-one selling pendant and comes complete with a two-carat diamond circle. It looks extremely elegant for almost any occasion. If you love to collect jewelry, it is a must-have item. The circle of diamonds consists of 25, round, cut stones totaling two carats and comes on an 18-inch chain.

Another fantastic piece of jewelry is the black pearl necklace. The Tahitian, black pearl necklace is commonly seen in shades of black and gray. Although it does have a black body color, it will vary in its overtones, which are sometimes green or pink. This popular necklace goes well with fair or light colored skin as the pink overtones blend well. Women with dark skin are those who will more easily find the cream or black overtones look best. The majority of black pearls for making a black pearl necklace come from French Polynesia. The French Polynesian government has set a minimum nacre thickness at 0.8 millimeters.

Anything less than that is not allowed to be sold on the market. Nacre is the crystalline, calcium substance that is secreted by the mollusk. It is a defense against foreign article intrusion into its body, and this is the shiny part of the pearl. The Tahitian black pearl necklace doesn't come cheap and you're going to end up paying a lot for this stunning piece of jewelry. Of course, only you know what you like best and even though I've listed the top five selling necklaces and pendants, it all boils down to your own personal choice. Whether it's a circle of life diamond pendant or floating heart diamond necklace, jewelry will make you feel elegant and beautiful!

Terry Price is a successful publisher and author on the topic of jewelry at: http://www.diamond-silver-necklace.com/diamond-pendant.html Jaw-dropping jewelry doesn't have to be expensive! http://www.diamond-silver-necklace.com/pearl-necklace.html Did you enjoy this article? http://www.digg.com/about

Contemporary Pendant Lighting For Your Home

The right lighting accents can create the perfect ambiance to any room, on any budget, for any style. These are so unique and specific that professional decorators always start with lighting in order to bring out the attributes in a room and to draw a room together. Using the right kind can add a sense of joy and peace to a room. Obviously, darker rooms fair well with brighter rooms work well together. In general these can often be overlooked by amateurs and a floor lamp might be added as a last minute thought to the importance of lighting. If you are starting to decorate a room. If you are looking to accent an already decorated room, your task may be a bit harder.

This kind of piece gives a décor a freedom that others don’t. In reality, it can be more flexible and more decorative than almost any other style. Chandeliers tend to overpower a room while they provide enough where it is most needed but doesn’t detract attention from the rest of the room. In the center of the room is the most important piece in the room, then placing a more highly decorative piece in the middle of the room will accomplish this. The use can work in almost any room, provided that the style of the light compliments the rest of room. Naturally, high ceilings are most appropriate for pendant lighting while lower ceilings can use a limited styling when it comes to these kinds of ideas. Hitting your head every time you pass under the light will only detract from the room.

Simple and stylish pendant lighting can work well in simple living rooms, high ceiling bathrooms, and even some kitchens, depending on the style of the lighting and the kitchen. They can also get more exotic as the size of the room increases. Pendant lighting in the master bedroom nearly always leaves room for significant creativity and open ended styles. Home offices and rec rooms also have potential for pendant lighting. The most important key to using pendant lighting is using the light to draw the room together while considering how well it will light certain areas of the room.

In offices and living rooms, glare can be reduced through the use of pendant lighting. A glare on a computer screen or television screen can be highly annoying. Using appropriately placed fixtures can reduce this glare and create even lighting for more specified spaces. Since these are not easy to move around once it is installed, this consideration should be addressed prior to hanging the light.

Pendant lighting can be very expensive, and many people will opt for a $50 floor lamp over the cost of a pendant light However, the specialized world of pendant lighting allows for a higher level of creativity and personalization and is worth every penny of its higher than average price.

Des Smalls is the founder of SNSLamps.com which is a division of SNS Designs,Inc. They carry wide selection of unique table lamps. They offer the most popular housewarming ideas, such as tiffany style lamps, table lamps, buffet lamps for everyone.