I’m no longer confused by my charm swap, the kind hostess, Mary, http://mymothersdaughter-maryb.blogspot.com/2007/04/anyone-up-for-charm-swap.html explained that we still need to make 22 charms even though she hasn’t heard from everyone. If there are extras, she’ll send them back. 
So this afternoon, I painted 25 thumbnail size roses on watercolor paper, (and added 3 teeny fairies too, wonder what that is for??).
I am so bummed by the charm pieces I ordered to put them on. When I ordered them online, I thought I was getting a solid piece, but they are two pieces, the centers come out and swing free in the frame.
And of course, I ordered about a million of them at once, thinking that the photo of them was perfect and I’d want to make a TON of these things, and just ought to order them all at once to save postage. Now I have all these charms and don’t like working with them.
There are a lot of extra steps involved since I can’t simply pop the paintings into the tiny frames and cover them with diamond glaze. I have to take the pieces all apart first, and now will have to reassemble them. But- I think I like them better WITHOUT the dangling frame. What do you think?
I have the diamond glaze coat on them and sprinkled a hint of glitter over it. The glaze is still wet in the photo here, it looks cloudy yet. I am always too impatient to wait for things to dry.
I’ve never been in a charm swap before, I want these to look nice. So here’s an idea, give me your advice and have a chance to win one!! 
Here is a close up, still cloudy, because it is wet- but what do you think? Should I hang them in their frame or leave them as is? Vote or leave a comment this week and I’ll enter you in a drawing to win one of the extra ones I made today!
I like them both ways but my preference is for with the frame! (I am always a sucker for extra work!)
I think they are BEAUTIFUL either way… but the hanging one is really unique! I guess for me , it would depend on “how much” more work it is.. If its alot.. mmm… then no.
Just happened upon your blog today from a link GPP Street Team blog.
Your charms are lovely. Those little roses are simply divine!
So disappointing for you to be stuck with all those little baubles that irritate you so.
But I really do believe the frame adds just the right touch. So beautiful. Just wish it weren’t so much work for you.
Karla…wow you have to make so many charms. I would be having a nervous breakdown!! LOL They are gorgeous!
I love them with the frame…but without the frame will be cute too…I just can’t decide! I say with the frame!!
Heather
Oh, you know I am just wild about your painted roses.. they are amazing.. i love them.. i am charmed by them!
Oh Karla those are sooo pretty. I like them with the frame too. Sorry if it is more work!
I am the same way, about paint I wish they made craft paints as quick drying as some of those nail polishes they have!!!!! Some artists I know use their hair dryer, I haven’t tried it perhaps I shall. It may not work for everything. Those charms are (I cannot resist) Charming!
They are quite lovely either way, but my preference would be with the frame……
🙂
I love your tiny roses! Tiny things have always fascinated me to the point, when I was in school, my art teacher was always trying to get me to draw and paint bigger! Like bigger than just a couple inches, lol!
I like the charm both ways, but given a preference, like the extra frame.
Hi Karla,
I am not going to make it any easier for you… I think the frame adds a little bit extra. So my vote would be with the frame. Either way… your tiny paintings look so sweet! They are real masterpieces, with or without frame!
hi Karla I love the little roses and I like them with the frame
have a fab day Beth Au
hi Karla I love the little roses and I like them with the frame
have a fab day Beth Au
oh my goodness they are so beautiful!!! I love it with the frame, but I love it without too. I like the way they dangle best
deezie
Your rose charms are really cute! I would leave them without the frame and use the frames for something else.
So glad you are back to your creativity!! These charms are beautiful. You are the most talented person I know.
Cheryl Sims
Hi Karla,
WOW they look great! You know, I really love my charm I bought from you and love how it is plain, but I think the frame is gorgeous and it really adds that ‘something’, so my vote now is also with the frame. Which looks like what everyone else says too, even though it’s a bummer that it is extra work for you, I think you would be able to charge a little more for them this way. So it’s not such a bad thing you bought them in bulk by the look of it!!!
Karla,
They look great! I like them with the frame too. It just adds something to them that you don’t see elsewhere.
Cheryl
I think the are gorgeous………I like the frame. Adds an extra little touch (not that its needed – because as I said, they are beautiful)
I have to agree with the majority and say with the frame. Sorry that it is more work!
Karla
I like them both, Karla, but I agree with the majority that the frame gives it that little extra something, seeing them side by side. Your roses are so special though that it really wouldn’t matter which frame you use. Sounds like a lot more work!
I’m just amazed at you teeny tiny roses….and don’t hate me either, but, I think the frame really shows them off nicely.
Karla, these are DIVINE!! I like them both ways, but the extra little frame dresses them up a bit more (as if your beautimous work needs anything extra) & I think I would like the movement it gives, too. Why don’t you make a few of both & see what sells best?
I’m SOOOO GLAD you are back home posting again !!!! 🙂
Stephanie
Angelic Accents
I really love your charms, I prefer the ones with the extra frame. They are gorgeous either way though.
Karla – such beautiful work you do! i like both of them, but i think that in the frame, adds that extra touch – accents the art very well. i’ve never seen such a charm like that, with the frame. its very unique. good luck with deciding what to do. they are certainly lovely either way.
Beth (mommy to a busy 3 3/4 year old)
I really like them in the frame too, it givs teh charm more movement and sets them off better.
Oh My! I have SUCH a love affair with pink roses, I love them both!
However, like the others, I like the frames. I know it is more work, but maybe just do a few with the frames and the rest as is.
Maybe you could use the empty frames for additional charms? Not sure how you would attach the paintings but I am sure your creative mind would figure it out.
Hmmm, that is a hard call. I LOVE the way the charms look with the hanging frame and it is very unusual. But I do think they look very cool without the frame, too. If I had to make 22 of them, I think I’d save the frames for another project–just to keep things less time consuming. You could maybe add a little dangling element, a chain or bead, from the center hole if you use them without the frame–just to dress it up a bit more, but that would still make them more time consuming. Anyone receiving your painted charm without the frame will be thrilled and will never miss the frame. However, if you had the time and wanted to make them extra special, the frame would knock their socks off. Hope that helps!
Hi Karla,
They are beautful! I think I would definately hang them in the frame. You were thinking with a jump ring?
I had to laugh at your having ordered “about a million” of the frames. A girl after my own heart. My studio is full of those kinds of buys. My kids tease me about selling my collections and the stuff in my studio when I die.
Have a beautful weekend. It will be fun to see what you come up with.
Shelley
They are just plain gorgeous! I think I like the frame, like everyone else,I like that they move. Oh I hope I win, I want one of these so bad it hurts!
Oh man, I would LOVE one of your awesome charms!!!
I love em all! Soooo charming!
Karla your roses are soooo charming. Clarice
I like them both, but if I were to pick one for myself, I think I’d choose unframed.
Pretty charms Karla!
~Jody
Karla, Please don’t enter my name for the drawing, because I will be getting one in the swap. BUT since you were asking for opinions,~ha~ here is mine. I of course love the charm both ways, with or without frame. Since I always buy a gazillion of everything also, I’d probably make a few of both ways. If you go frameless, you can always use the frames wrapped in wire and beads. To dangle or not to dangle is just a personal preference, if you like the dangle, and it’s not giving you a fit…dangle, if it’s giving you fits…go dangleless (new word now). I think they are great!!