Old Charms . . . New Meaning

Beads provide sparkle and color in your fiber jewelry, but charms can serve the same purpose and add meaning as well. If you're no longer wearing that old charm bracelet from your childhood, why not try repurposing it? Your next needleweaving project can incorporate memories and meaning as you weave the objects into a charming necklace.

I once collected charms for a favorite bracelet, but now I rarely wear bracelets, so I transferred them to a necklace to give them new life.  As I did I, was reminded of travels, events and activities enjoyed long ago. Expo '67 in Montreal, visiting the Statue of Liberty and Mammoth Cave, IU winning the Rose Bowl, playing guitar, riding bikes with my sisters, and more. One or two left me wondering, "Why did I collect that?"

For my charm necklace I wanted to stick with silver, so any enameled or colored charms were saved for other projects. Since this was before I discovered needleweaving, I attached the silver charms to a matching chain. I was happy with the result and like to wear it when I'm in a reminiscent mood (which is more and more often lately!).

Maybe you still wear your old charm bracelet and like it just the way it is. Perhaps you never had one. Now's the time to revive the charm collecting habit and really personalize your next needleweaving project.

Good luck (charm)!

Leading a Charmed Life

Is there a hierarchy to the powers of amulet-like objects? Having only a vague idea of what they are led me to research definitions and put them in some kind of order (following that human need to order/classify).

Here are my guesses—before research—rated from least to most powerful.

• Charm: a small object that serves as a reminder of places visited, or represents an interest or hobby—often 'cute'.
• Amulet: a small object that is meaningful to the owner/wearer.
• Talisman: not sure what this is.
• Totem: representation of an animal one identifies with in some way, probably not worn, also a larger object.
• Touchstone: A small stone, often smooth, rubbed for reassurance or luck.
• Channelling: ?? not sure where this fits in (if it does) since any objects involved would be of the supernatural variety.

Here, with my ignorance on record, are the dictionary definitions:

charm n. 1. A small ornament worn on a bracelet. 2. An item worn for its supposed magical benefit; amulet.

amulet n. 1. An object worn, esp. around the neck, as a charm against evil or injury.

talisman n. 1. An object believed to give supernatural powers to or protect its bearer.

totem n. 1. a. An animal, plant or natural object serving as a symbol of a clan or family. b. A representation of this. 2. A venerated symbol.

channelling, touchstone Neither was included in my American Heritage Dictionary. Maybe I need a New Age Dictionary—I definitely need a large print one.

It looks like amulets and talismans offer protection, and charms may have more to do with luck. Totems seem strangely connected to branding and are not limited to the animal kingdom as I'd guessed.

Learning the correct definitions hasn't changed my conclusion: the powers these objects contain come from within the person, not the object. Our own powers are often the most overlooked.