If you look.... you will find.....

 Findings, in Saint Helena is a shop true to its name.  Run by a lovely lady named Maura Wilson, it is a place where you will find even when not really looking!  Recently, I left the shop with a find - a phenomenal piece of jewelry from a company called Unode50 (pronounced "uno de cinquenta," meaning one of 50.)  Ingeniously, the company produces only 50 of each style, hence, your piece is one of only 50 around the world!  Based in Madrid, Unode50 was founded by Concha Diaz del Rio, who, along with her fellow designers, creates eye-catching accessories using mixed metals, resin and leather. I follow all kinds of accessories and trinkets ardently, especially antique or "antiqued" and anything truly original (have you ever been to Le marche aux puces de Saint-Ouen in Paris?)  I beg for a story of every piece that catches my fancy.

The story: Charm bracelets date back to ancient times when they were worn for superstitious rather than fashion purposes.  They were talismans to please the gods, ward off evil spirits and help in gaining entry into the afterlife. Further on, charms signified status and family origin.  Legend has it that Queen Victoria was responsible for turning charm bracelets into fashionable and stylish items, setting a new trend that has lingered on almost two centuries later and shall stay on for a while more......

This voluptuous bracelet is made of mixed metals and has seven symetrically attached charms: key, turtle, elephant, mammoth tusk, clove, heart, gold bar.  The clasp is a stroke of genius: a miniature corkscrew tranformed into a secure lock!  Could you possibly want anything more?  

www.Unode50.com

www.findingsnapavalley.com