Pewter Charms, Pendants & Beads for Jewelry Making

Ideas for Using Pewter Charms, Pendants and Beads

A small jewelry charm can become the starting point for an entire design. Choose a favorite animal, symbol or theme and coordinate it with beads, chain, leather cord and other findings. A Southwestern charm paired with turquoise-colored or natural stone beads creates a completely different look from the same charm combined with dark leather cord or antiqued metal chain.

Charms also make jewelry personal. Add animal charms for favorite pets or wildlife, religious charms for faith-inspired jewelry, hearts for family and friendship, or symbolic designs that have a special meaning to the wearer. A charm bracelet can grow over time as new charms are added to represent hobbies, travels, accomplishments, family events and other memories.

Charms Aren't Just for Bracelets

Turn a pewter charm into a simple necklace by attaching it to chain or cord with a jump ring. Smaller charms can make earrings, while larger or more detailed designs work well as focal pendants. Charms can also decorate keychains, zipper pulls, purses, bookmarks, ornaments, gift tags and handmade keepsakes.

Using Beads as Charms

A decorative bead doesn't have to remain part of a strand. Beads with a hole running from top to bottom can be placed on a head pin or piece of jewelry wire. Create a loop above the bead and it becomes a dangling charm that can be attached to a bracelet, necklace, earring, keychain or other project. This works especially well with three-dimensional beads such as our pewter guardian and praying angels.

Attaching a Charm to Jewelry

Most charms can be attached with a jump ring. Open the jump ring by twisting the ends sideways rather than pulling them apart, slip on the charm and jewelry link, then twist the ring closed again. This helps the jump ring retain its round shape and creates a neater, more secure connection.

When choosing a jump ring, make sure it is small enough to complement the charm but large enough to pass through both the charm opening and the bracelet, chain or other attachment point. Heavier charms may need a stronger or heavier-gauge jump ring than very small, lightweight charms.

Did You Know?

The same design may be described by several different names. A salamander charm may also be called a lizard or reptile charm, a buffalo may be searched for as a bison, and teepee, tipi and tepee are all commonly used spellings. Southwestern and Western designs may also be described using Native American, Indian or Zuni-style terminology. Knowing alternate names can make it easier to find coordinating charms and jewelry components for a particular theme.