Disney Italian charm bracelets

[disney-itch]

Hi, new to the community board...thought this would be a good place to ask my question.

I need info about the Disney Italian charm bracelets. Was at EPCOT last month and my children were so burnt out by the time I got to "Italy", I couldn't take the time to shop

I just called Disney World Merchandise Info and they said that the starter bracelets are $125 or $135 and first she said they were stainless and then switched to sterling silver...I'm very confused because I have found the stainless ones w/ "Disney" stamped on the back for around $10/starter bracelet on line. (I can't find any that are solid silver) Could Disney's mark-up be that high?? I really think from every thing I've read that the ones in "Italy/EPCOT" that are stainless and the stainless steel "Disney" stamped ones I've seen on line are the same.

Thanks,

Sandi

 

[pajamommy]

I can't answer your question, but I *think* I saw something about this on the Families board. It could have been another board, though, but that board sticks in my mind. You might want to do a search for it. Good luck!

 

[pajamommy]

Oh, and welcome to the DIS!!!

 

[Pam]

The resident authorities on these bracelets would be Kama89, Meriweather, helenabear, dizneenut, dream, and newmousecateer - they hang out in the YaYa dude ranch. I'll pop over there and ask them to share their knowledge with you!!

Welcome to the DIS!

 

[Dream]

Hi Disney-itch! Welcome!! LOL....LOVE your user name!!!
Well Pam listed me in her list of "pros" but I am small potatos compared to the others she listed! I know the Disney charms I have seen online are stainless....the others will know more about if there are sterling ones or not. We all collect the stainless ones and they are fine! You can find them on ebay for less than the charm sites, but there are many charm sites out there. The charms stamped with Disney on the back are the ones you want and they range from 25.00 - 35.00 (approx) per charm. Again...once the others wander over here they can give you specific sites!
Hope this helps some!

 

[Kama89]

Hi disney-itch!

Well, I have to admit... you stumped me. I can't recall ever hearing of any italian charm bracelets that are sterling silver. As far as I know... there are only two different types available... stainless over 18 K gold, or stainless over a gold plate. The Disney licensed italian charm products, as far as I know, are stainless over 18K just as all of the Italian brands are... Zopinni, Nomination, Boxing, etc... I wonder if it was possible that the woman you spoke with in Merchandising, was confused and possibly quoted you the price of a different bracelet, a sterling bracelet that wsn't a basic starter Italian charm bracelet? Interesting. I don't know... maybe there are some available in sterling now.

You mentioned shopping online, so perhaps you already have these sites, but I'll list a couple for you just in case.

italiancharms

carina

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

[disney-itch]

WOW, thanks for everyones quick replies

I called Disney Merchandise back and spoke to someone else. There is NOT a $125 silver "Italian" charm bracelet. The first time I called, the CM must have made a mistake!!! It looks as if the ones online are the same as the ones at Disney.

Actually I'm waiting for a call from my brother. He's in EPCOT today for a business meeting and I can have him pick up a bracelet and charms for me now that I know the prices are about the same (WDW vs Online) If he gets it for me...No postage

Thanks again everyone,

Sandi

PS...How do you get those really cute sayings under your name???

 

[Meriweather]

Have fun..........it's an expensive...but so fun hobby.

Here is a site I like. No postage

http://jewelry.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://store.yahoo.com/italian-charms/

 

[Kama89]

I hadn't seen these until today!! These are base links! How cute!!

 

[Meriweather]

Originally posted by Kama89
I hadn't seen these until today!! These are base links! How cute!!

Kim...STOP it.....
It's your fault I'm hooked on them as it is.

 

[Kama89]

It's your fault I'm hooked on them as it is.

Mwhahahaha!!!! Hey Nancy! You're the charm finding wizard... can you find a flying pig for me???

 

[CarolA]

I'm confused. Do you put them together your selves or what? How many charms would it take to make a braclet?

I don't know why I find this sounds like a good idea, but I do so....

 

[helenabear]

Welcome to the CB disney-itch!! The tag fairies are the ones who added most of what is under our names. In my case they just added the color for me. They either take requests at times or they will just catch you when you least expect it.

I LOVE THAT CHARM!!!!!! I am going to Italiancharms.com right now!!!

Carol, yes, you put those together yourself. It is rather easy and I believe www.italiancharms.com does have directions or if you find them in a store you can find out how to do it. I have no trouble doing it myself. You can get a starter bracelet that has about 14 charms for about $5-10 depending or free with a purchase. I have a small wrist but I like mine big so I have 18 charms. Most people I am told have about 18-20 for a medium to larger wrist depending on how loose you like it. If you have any more questions let me know

 

[Kama89]

Hi Carol,

On the average, it takes anywhere from 16-18 links to make an adult sized bracelet....mine is 16. Generally, when you begin, you start with a starter bracelet (no charms/designs).... I'm not positive, but I believe a starter bracelet is usually 14 links. A lot of the places that sell the bracelets offer promotions to get people started, one of which is: buy three charms/get the 14 starter links free. As you add/replace links with charms, you end up with a jewelry box full of plain links, that eventually you can link together and begin yet another bracelet. I'm working on #4. You can either add them yourself (a little tricky until you get the hang of it ) or ask the clerk to do it when you buy your charms. Of course, if you get them online, you're stuck doing it yourself. They do sell a tool that is supposed to make it easier to add and remove charms/links, but I've never used it myself.

 

[disney-itch]

Here is the way I understand the bracelet works.

First, you buy a starter bracelet which is made of 14 links.

You then add additional blank or charm links to make the correct size.

6 1/2" is 17 links, 7" is 18 links, 7 1/2 is 19 links

Once you have the correct total, when you get additional charms, you would take out the blanks. It looks as if you can buy a tool to help you put in and take out links or you can do it by hand.

Hope this makes sense



Sandi

 

[disney-itch]

CarolA:

Here is the way I understand the bracelet works.

First, you buy a starter bracelet which is made of 14 links.

You then add additional blank or charm links to make the correct size.

6 1/2" is 17 links, 7" is 18 links, 7 1/2 is 19 links

Once you have the correct total, when you get additional charms, you would take out the blanks. It looks as if you can buy a tool to help you put in and take out links or you can do it by hand.

Hope this makes sense



Also, are you going to World's ? When I was in college, I had some fellow skaters come back home with me (I'm from Pittsburgh) when National's were here in 83'. It was fun to see Scott H win a nationals in person!! I'd love to see World's.



Sandi

 

[DiznEeyore]

Look out -- these bracelets are sooo addicting! Someone posted about them on the crafting board and then Nancy (Meriweather)pointed me in the right direction -- now I'm hooked!

I did buy several of my charms from ebay and got a good deal on them. They are so adorable!

I have a question that hopefully one of the charm divas can answer: I know the ones that are sold at DL are not the same as the higher priced Walt Disney-engraved ones that all the charm places sell, but are you all saying I can buy the *good* stainless ones at WDW when we go??

 

[LucyStorm]

Sandi,
PM newmousecateer. She can tell you a neat trick for connecting your charms by using a toothpick. Much less expensive than those charm tools. And stay away from Kama89 and helenabear. If you aren't already addicted to these bracelets, you will be if you hang around with them long enough!

 

[Meriweather]

Originally posted by DiznEeyore
Look out -- these bracelets are sooo addicting! Someone posted about them on the crafting board and then Nancy (Meriweather)pointed me in the right direction -- now I'm hooked!

I did buy several of my charms from ebay and got a good deal on them. They are so adorable!

I have a question that hopefully one of the charm divas can answer: I know the ones that are sold at DL are not the same as the higher priced Walt Disney-engraved ones that all the charm places sell, but are you all saying I can buy the *good* stainless ones at WDW when we go??

Don't blame me!! It's all Kama's fault!!

I didn't see the good charms at WDW....but I wasn't really looking then.
Someone thats been there more recently might be able to tell you.
I think Jennifer2k3 (did I get the new name right?) looked and only saw the $3 ones............is that right? That was in Feb.

 

[newmousecateer]

My ears were ringing...who was talking about me?

Hi Sandi! Ok, I am right handed. I take one of those plastic cocktail toothpicks that have a square shaped flat end. I hold the part of the bracelet I am attaching to in my left hand and pull back on the charm on the end. In my right hand I have the charm I am attaching...with the flat end of the toothpick pushing the face of the charm forward so I can attach it.

No expensive tools...just a plastic toothpick. Hope this works for you.