Silver Sunday~ Sterling Silver Charms

My love of silver charms began on a trip to Chicago for my girlfriend's 9th birthday.

I bought a charm of the Prudential building which at that time was the tallest building in Chicago.






And it went on from there. Above is my first charm bracelet with charms from high school and college.

My high school's basketball team won the Indiana State Championship my senior year.

Most people know that that is a BIG deal in Indiana!!!!!!

I went to Ball State Teachers College {Now Ball State University}. Can you name a famous Hoosier Ball State alum who was there when I was? There are a total of 3.




Over the years I continued buying charms~




The ones that had moving parts or were particularly detailed were my favorites.



I found them at flea markets, antique shops, garage sales, and jewelry stores.




The average price was $3 to $5.




After making 6 charm bracelets, I still had a box full of charms. A couple of years ago I put together a charm necklace.

I don't know the exact number of charms on my necklace, but it is well over 100.

Silver Sunday~ Antique Gazing Ball

Little did I know how difficult it would be to photograph my all-time favorite silver possession for this week's Silver Sunday.

Reflective silver things are hard to photograph well without being "in the picture".






This is a portion of my 12" diameter Antique Gazing Ball.

I bought it many years ago in Kentucky from an antiques dealer who specialized in garden antiques.

Gazing balls were first made in Venice in the 13th century. They were popular with the Victorians. Then again in the 1950's.

People tend to either LOVE them or HATE them.




I love this one because it is handblown. It is misshapen, irregular, and has a discolored surface.

I want to show you the end so you can see how the very old gazing balls were "finished off". The glass is nearly 3/8" thick and you can see the roughness where it was sliced after being blown.

Also you can see where the silvering ends on the neck.

The cork is original.




I don't know how old it is. I do know it is older than the ones my parents sold in their home and garden shop in the 1950's. My guess is l930's or earlier.

This is my "Dressing Room" reflected in the gazing ball. You can see part of my dress form collection!

To visit other Silver Sunday participants click the button on my sidebar.

How do you feel about gazing balls. LOVE them or HATE them????