December 29, 2009
What Are The Uses For Italian Charms?
The most popular and fastest growing trend regarding jewelry today is that of Italian charms. The trend was started in Italy in the 1980s. It spread widely after soccer players were seen sporting the modular bracelets that represented their individual country’s colors. The trend spilled over to the United States in the 1990s by American tourists and has only spread like wildfire since.
Each bracelet consists of 18 interchangeable rectangular stainless steel links. The Italian charm starter bracelet consisting of blank links allows for a complete look. Each link is a standardized size, which allows for a multitude of companies to provide charms at various rates. Unlike traditional charm bracelets that dangle. The Italian charm bracelet is a modular unit that can be changed according to an individual’s changing interests.
Charms can reflect any part of your individual personality. However, the most general charms represent that of what the interests, hobbies and career of a person may be. Each link can be replaced so that the bracelet can reflect a person’s changing interest. Each bracelet can be created through any theme that the individual can imagine. Common themes include color and family.
A traditional link of an Italian charm bracelet consists of a rectangular piece of stainless steel on which the design is soldered or etched onto the surface. Recently, Italian charm makers have begun making full color charms using an enamel process. This process is very expensive though so it is reserved for charms that will sell in large quantities. However, many charm wearers wish to have specific charms made that express the uniqueness of the individual wearing the bracelet. Therefore, as the popularity of Italian charms has increased, manufacturers of the charms have had to find quicker and less expensive means of creating charms.
Laser technology has provided this less expensive and quicker yet reliable form of production. Laser charms are produced by a laser permanently etching a design on the surface of the stainless steel link. Most laser charms sell for less than each. However, laser technology also provides a means of complete customization. Individual customized charms can be produced for to each.
A more expensive method of customization involves the use of photography. A photograph can also be used to create a charm by using two methods. The first method mounts a photograph onto the link and then seals it. The second way is dye-sublimation. This method transfers the colors of the photograph to the link.
Although the original trend involved only bracelets, the craze has spread to other merchandise. Fans of this growing style can now get key chains, anklets, earrings and necklaces.
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November 15, 2009
A Little Bracelet Symbolizes a Mother’s Vibrant Life
Everyone has a story about their mother. Mothers are as different as their unique personalities. Some are patient and kind. Some are loud and obnoxious. Others are very opinionated. In spite of these characteristic differences in a mother’s personality, they do the best that they can, as there is no wrong way to love their child.
Let me first point out that being a mother is the most challenging, yet rewarding, experience in a woman’s life. Women have the ability to love their child unconditionally, in spite of the circumstances. It is said that a Mother’s Love begins at the very thought of conception and never ends; not even after death.
This year I wanted to mark my mother’s 80th birthday with something special. It didn’t need to be expensive; I simply wanted somethat that would reflect upon her life and our relationship. I eventually chose to put together an Italian charm bracelet that would reflect each of the stages of her life, especially her role of a mother.
For the mother who just gave birth to a red-faced, wrinkly skinned, squalling infant with no hair, no teeth, and no idea of who this woman is, her first comment is “Isn’t my baby the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen in your life?!” A new mother’s love is blind.
A mother’s love for her toddler is patient, as she tirelessly teaches this youngster what society expects of them. Temper tantrums thrown in frustration are dealt with. Lessons in potty training and communication are constant. Though this stage is short-lived, it takes a lot of energy to keep up with a rambunctious child of this age. The mother’s love grows with each accomplishment.
The love for the school-aged child can best be described as consistent, as the mother learns to let her child develop an individual personality. She allows her child to socialize; enables her child to experience life; challenges her child to become independent; supports her child through trials and triumphs, alike. Through all of these stages of development, her love is unwavering.
The mother of the teen-ager experiences a love which is forgiving. Adolescents often test their boundaries; challenge the rules; bend the truth. Even though they are trying to be independent, they lack the maturity to do so. Often, mistakes are made. All a mother can do is encourage the child to learn from their mistakes; to take responsibility for their actions; to face the consequences. By doing so, she is enabling the child to grow into a self-reliant adult.
The love a mother has for her adult child is full of pride, for she has the satisfaction of a job well done in raising her child. Her efforts have been successful. Her love has overcome all of the obstacles and stages in life. This love is reciprocated because the adult child realizes and appreciates the love their mother has shown them throughout their life.
There is a special bond formed by mother and child once the child becomes a parent. The mother’s ever-changing role is now defined as “Grandmother”. This woman’s love has come full circle now because she understands the challenges her child will face in raising a child. She knows the rewards her child will receive. She appreciates the lessons in love that her grandchild will learn. For, there is no stronger love than that of a mother; and no love more rewarding than becoming a grandmother!
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