A Quick and Easy Gift: Wine Glass Charms

I know these hit their peak a while ago, but they are still a fun gift and very easy and inexpensive to make. Also known as wine glass identifiers, they go around the stem of the glass and make every glass unique so that each of your guests knows which glass is his or hers.

Basically, you need hoop-style earring findings (the type you can slide beads on and then turn the end up to close) or ring-size memory wire, some beads, and a charm for each identifier. How plain or fancy is up to you – you can use good crystals and spacers and create your own charms with larger beads on headpins, or use base metal charms and a variety of glass beads.

I recently made a set of these for friends. I decided on a beach theme and used six different beach/sea charms and Czech crystals in blues and greens. Charms can be purchased in all kind of theme groups to make your identifiers personal: sports, holidays, animals, beach and the always popular wine-themed charms.

One really el cheapo idea for the charms is to pick up mis-matched dangle earrings at yard sales and thrift stores. One of my customers says, “the uglier the earring, the easier it is to remember your charm!”

If you are using the ready made earring hoops, you can slide on a few beads, then the charm, then a few more beads, then gently turn up the end that is flattened and has a hole in it. That keeps the beads from falling off and allows the identifier to be opened and closed.

If you are using ring-sized memory wire, cut into loops, then use a lighter to heat the end of the wire (be sure to protect your hands by holding the wire with pliers) and while the wire is hot, bend the last ½” of the wire into a loop with your round-nosed pliers. After it cools, hread on your beads and charm, and then heat and turn the other end of the wire.

To add a little panache to your gift, use a larger hoop for storage of the rings. It can be decorated as well, and it can hang on the wine bottle when the identifiers are in use. Package the group in a nice little silk or brocade pouch and you have a lovely hostess gift.

Below is a picture of martini charms I made for my sister.