| Men are always struggling with new gift ideas to | | | | always been obsessed with hearts, and almost |
| help make them a hero for at least the week. | | | | every item of jewelry I own has a heart on it |
| This Valentine's Day, that could be you. Though | | | | somewhere. Men, if you pay attention to your |
| the following idea is simple, you wife/girlfriend will | | | | significant other, you may notice she is particularly |
| almost be guaranteed to love it. | | | | drawn to dolphins, angels, or even acorns. (Sounds |
| I am not going to propose you make anything or | | | | strange I know, but it is true.) Besides shapes, |
| even buy anything crazy that looks like you hired | | | | women often a have favorite color or season. My |
| someone else to buy it for you. In fact, all I am | | | | mother's home is designed around fall colors so |
| going to recommend for you to buy is jewelry, | | | | she is always reminded of that season when she |
| but the trick is making it personal. Every woman | | | | is at home. I also know women who have only |
| loves knowing that the man she is dating/married | | | | one color that they use in their wardrobe, |
| to knows her preferences. If he knows her likes | | | | decorating, cars, etc. For example, everything my |
| he is showing that he is paying attention to her. | | | | grandmother owns from her dishes to her |
| (This may be a novel concept to some, but it is | | | | earrings are blue. My grandfather loved her blue |
| definitely a useful one to know about.) The | | | | eyes, and that was his favorite color she wore, |
| customized jewelry/gift idea comes from a | | | | so it became the only color in her life. |
| bracelet I saw years ago. | | | | Another idea is to think of something memorable |
| I came across the most romantic piece of | | | | the two of you have done together. For example, |
| jewelry I had ever seen in an antique store in | | | | the two of you may have gone on a vacation in |
| Estes Park, Colorado. It was a beautiful, but | | | | the past year. Find a piece of jewelry that could |
| simple charm bracelet that was over 80 years | | | | represent that vacation. Many items of jewelry |
| old. The original owner of the bracelet was a | | | | depict a theme from a particular country or |
| gentleman who needed an anniversary gift for his | | | | region. A lot of the jewelry I work with results in |
| young wife of only one year. He decided to work | | | | seashore motifs, which would be perfect if you |
| with a local jeweler to come up with a | | | | had been on a tropical vacation that year. |
| "month-a-versary" bracelet. He went through each | | | | So, gentlemen, you do not have to really do too |
| month of their one year marriage and recalled | | | | much work. Simply look through your wife's |
| one particular significant event, and then designed | | | | girlfriend's favorite things, pictures, magazines, |
| a charm with the jeweler to match the event. For | | | | books, etc. and find what she loves. Focus in on |
| example, one charm on the bracelet was a dog in | | | | one simple item that she particularly is attached to |
| a doghouse - obviously not the best month for | | | | and take the idea to a jewelry website. There are |
| the husband. Another charm was a delicate | | | | plenty of websites that will customize a beaded |
| envelop that opened with a tiny, gold letter that | | | | bracelet with a simple added charm for decent |
| pulled out and said, "I love you" on it. This month | | | | prices. Who knows, you may visit some of these |
| was probably when he wrote a significant love | | | | websites and already have a bracelet made that |
| letter. Over all the bracelet was delicate and | | | | would be perfect for the woman in your life. |
| beautiful, but more important, it was completely | | | | Then, when you give her the gift you can simply |
| personal. | | | | say, "I know how much you loved the ocean, so |
| Now, I am not recommending for every man to | | | | I found this bracelet with a seahorse charm on it |
| head out to his nearest jeweler and design his | | | | to remind you." Bingo, you are instantly out of the |
| own bracelet, but the concept can easily be | | | | doghouse for the several weeks. |
| duplicated. There are many ways add a simple | | | | Feel free to check out my website for some the |
| touch to jewelry that makes it unique and | | | | charm ideas. Looking through the cell phone |
| personal. When I am making jewelry it is rarely | | | | charms and bracelets in particular may help you |
| ever finished until I add one simple item to make | | | | think of ideas that would be perfect to use. If |
| it catch a buyer's eye. The finishing touch is a | | | | there is something you do have in mind, feel free |
| simple, sterling silver charm with a shape or | | | | to contact us, and would be more than happy to |
| carved picture on it, but that is what makes a | | | | create a custom piece for you. |
| woman drawn to that particular bracelet. For | | | | Good luck with your quest, and hopefully it will |
| clarification, many women have a "signature" | | | | help you think a little on your creative side |
| shape. I have a dear friend that loves stars, and | | | | without burning too many brain cells in the |
| she is always looking for the perfect accessory | | | | process. |
| with a star somewhere in it. I personally have | | | | |