charmed, i'm sure

Yesterday, in a fit of utter boredom (to which I usually reply, "Would you like me to hire you a band?") the girls asked if they could break out my supply of beads.  And in a fit of utter desperation, I caved.

I have a LOT of beads.  And charms.  At least I think I do.  I don't really have anyone else to compare stashes with, but it certainly seems like a lot to me.

I used to love to make charm bracelets (like these and this and this).  It was one of the most fun things I ever did, and I looked for cool beads, vintage beads, unusual charms, vintage buttons, ribbons, everything...everywhere I went.  Then I made the mistake of trying to sell them, and I lost the creative spark.  But I still love my beads-n-stuff.

 
 This is a stash of vintage cracker-jack charms, combined with some Barbie accessories (I was not at all above raiding the toy closet.  Ruthless, I was.)

So, yesterday, while the girls crafted away on their own masterpieces, I killed a goodly amount of time taking pictures of my beads and charms, color-coordinated.  It really was the best fun I've had in a while...Total play, girls chatting in the background, pretty shiny baubles and things.  Crafty heaven.

Would you like to see?  'Cause here they are!

(This one includes a hand-knit Kelly doll sweater.  I couldn't resist.)

 

A mere sampling...Mostly this is just the fun stuff, but there's lots of lovely glass beads and other things, too.  But so fun!  I love 'em.  And if anyone is interested, I'm happy to see them go on to more productive lives...It's sad to see them just sitting there.  (Barring that, I'll be playing away.)

Have a great one, my friends!

xoxox. 
  

Comments

[erika]

Wow, that is such a great collection and the bracelets are really nice too!

[Tiffany Harvey]

What a fun collection! I have decent stash of beads, but they are just that ~ plain beads. Nothing quite as fun as those charms!

[Happy Find]

AH! I LOVE them all!!!

[Angie]

So droolworthy!! The Cracker Jack charms alone on a necklace would send me 'round the bend. Your color story photos remind me of the work of Guido Cecere, who I love.

[Julie]

Jeetje! They are great...i would look at them all day :-)

[MELISSA]

Lucky girls! My mom always had stock piles of fun stuff for boring days and I miss that. I actually miss being bored sometimes ... oh the luxury of having nothing to do. :-)

"And if anyone is interested, I'm happy to see them go on to more productive lives..."

Ooooh ... I'm interested! I just started making charm bracelets and would love some new stuff, especially fun plastics and black and pink stuff! Do you want to sell some supplies by color or material? Or were you looking to just sell them made up as bracelets?

[Zelda was a writer]

lovely post!!!

[mindy]

visually stunning!! love, love, love little trinkets :-)

[kellie]

First, I'm so going to use the "would you like me to hire you a band" the next time one my kids says the dreaded words.
Second, great collection and I'm loving the colour-coordinated shots. Fabulous.

[Amy Hanson]

Melissa, I'm open to anything--just not making more bracelets...! Let me know what you are interested in (I can send you pics, if you like) and we can talk! xoxo.

[Amy Hanson]

Thanks everyone! I'm so glad you enjoyed them...:o)

[colleen]

Oh those pictures make my heart go pitter patter! You've also helped me to validate the jars of plastic bits (odd Barbie shoes, random game pieces, etc) that I have stashed away. I just know their day to shine will come.

[Meggie Gallina]

Uf you ever decide to sell them again, I know I'll buy them. You have so much cool stuff!

[gretchen ciccotti]

Great post- I love to see other people's bead stashes. Last weekend I let the kids do the same thing (except I always hide the vintage glass!) Some things I always keep to myself. Let me know if you'd want to do a bead trade~

Have a great rest-of-the-weekend!
Gretchen

[MELISSA]

Wow, exciting! I just sent you an email from my Google account. Thank you so much.