Am I Blue?
The heart series.

click photos to enlarge.

Today I am beginning my display with 2 bracelets from my flower series. Part of the joy of collecting charms is finding interesting bracelets. Eventually it all comes together, and the right group of charms is “married” to the right bracelet.

I may mix different age periods: 1940’s with Victorian, for example to get the right effect.

The “Am I blue?” bracelet is a mix of enameled and non-enameled and stone inlay hearts in shades of blue. The bracelet itself is probably from the 1970’s, but the woven mesh and silver work goes well with the charms. All are considered vintage and many are art deco and Victorian.

You’ll see as I post more.

Many of the charms are engraved: Ruby, C.T., Dot, B.M., J/r, M.M., Maurice, M.C. Papa, Sarah.

The engraving style varies and indicates the age of the piece.

The second piece, “Hearts and Flowers” is unique in that the 1970’s chain is double. The charms are a mélange of enamel and non-enamel, and stone inlay, from different time periods. The little floral enamel heart lock, second from the left, is a highly collectible Walter Lampl.

I chose a floral padlock to create a clasp redolent of the past. Walter Lampl padlock heart charms with working keys frequently go for over $300 on ebay.
The engravings read: J.B., F.M., Bob, Bee, V.V.D.

Bracelets will be in photo album.

From Yahoo…

Very pretty. Do you make the bracelets and then add the different charms to it? I dont know anything about charms so, forgive my ignorance.

editdeletereply lauritasita wrote on Dec 22, ’07 I see we are both doing something blue for art this weekend !!! I just love the first bracelet – you know I love anything blue. They are beautiful !!!

reply luisguerra wrote on Dec 22, ’07 Looking at it… welcome to the 60’s, and knowing you had an angel here, I would probably steal it for a blog.

reply gapeach7355 wrote on Dec 23, ’07 The BLUE bracelet is almost certainly 70’s, isn’t it? I bought one for my mother very similar (if not that exact style) when I worked at a local jewelry store during Christmas in my high school days–early 70’s.She treasured it as it was a was a nicer piece and this one reminds me of it a great deal. Love the heart theme… Charm bracelets are wonderful little wearable collections.Nothing else quite like them. The way they slide on your wrist and the play of the charms…lovely girly stuff!!!

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 23, ’07 Remember, these are “married” pieces–this is not how they “came”. The charms are collected and some of them are from the turn of the century and the 20’s

reply dianeoart wrote on Dec 23, ’07 You did a great job… they look fantastic.

reply gilesy01 wrote on Dec 23, ’07 Blue is my favourite colour. These really are beautiful. am I blue almost has the feel of a rosary about it in a strange way.

reply sanssouciblogs wrote on Dec 23, ’07, edited on Dec 29, ’07 No, I don’t “manufacture” the bracelets or the charms. They come from a vast, and I mean VAST collection over the last few years, mainly from ebay. My charms were made anywhere from the late 1800’s through the 70’s. In the “Am I Blue” bracelet, the little turquoise enamel heart 2 left of center, is from the late 1800’s, Victorian and cost several hundred dollars, to give you an idea.So what I do is collect charms, collect bracelets and put them together in my own design as one of a kind art.My “art” is design with components that appeal to me. They are my silver poetry. And there is plenty to come. You might say that these bracelets helped me heal after breast cancer. They kept me busy and distracted.

reply shoppingfreedom wrote on Dec 23, ’07 I love both of them. Can’t make up my mind about which one is the best, cos both are so beautiful to look at. What a great collection you have there. My life collection is already right in front of your eyes, all the collection of pictures I have shown in my blogs, and many more to come. It’s great to know that those charm bracelets that make you stay away from negative thoughts. They are really a life safer activity to you. So just keep up the great work, and ENJOY (^o^)v

reply papahere wrote on Dec 24, ’07 Sue…happy to know one of the charms in the “Am I Blue’ bracelet is engraved Papa…I magnified the picture but couldn’t see the engraving but assume it is on the back side. ~ Papa

reply laura1may wrote on Dec 24, ’07 How very pretty. Your choice of colours is exquisite.

reply shoppingfreedom wrote on Dec 28, ’07, edited on Dec 30, ’07