Design Hunter's Journal

For the past 26 years, Ayla’s Originals has been the go-to bead shop in Evanston IL, filled with quality beads, charms, and findings. I always know I will find natural stone beads and supplies of the highest quality when I shop there! Ayla and Joe Pizzo are amazing resources, and I can ask them any questions about supplies or how to make something.

I recently moved to a different city, but am pleased to discover that Ayla also has an online store: AylasOriginals on Etsy.com! It’s great having a trusted source of supplies. I checked out her online inventory and was particularly impressed by the variety of silver charms:

Handmade Sterling Silver Charms

If you are working with natural stones, whether beads or cabochons, adding a small sterling silver charm can provide the perfect finishing touch. Ayla has a wonderful assortment of handmade silver charms to complete your pendants, bracelets, and earrings.

These can be hard to find when you need them, so I have gathered them all here for you:

Sterling Silver Leaf Charms

See this Sterling Silver Leaf Charm from Ayla’s Originals on Etsy

Use these leaf charms to finish off a necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings. These charms are 13 x 7 x 4mm.

Small Teardrop Charms

These small teardrop charms would make great danglers to embellish clasps on necklaces and bracelets. They measure 11 x 5 x 4mm.

Stamped Flower Charms

This stamped flower charm has a rough-hewn, handmade look that will complement all sorts of natural stones and handmade beads. Or, it could stand on its own. These charms measure 18 x 14 x 2mm, with a 4mm loop.

Hill Tribe Fish Charms

See this Hill Tribe Fish Pendant on Ayla’s Originals Etsy Shop

The fish design is kind of unusual, but this charm would also look great with natural stones and handmade beads of all varieties. The charm is 11mm square.

Medallion Silver Charm

This versatile silver medallion charm is 11mm square.

Ayla’s online store has many other categories of beads and findings to explore. For jewelry designers interested in quality supplies, AylasOriginals is a great resource!

-Louise Hunter Burton