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Pony Talk => Off Topic => Toy Box & Games Cupboard => Topic started by: Sukey on February 28, 2016, 11:12:32 AM

Title: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sukey on February 28, 2016, 11:12:32 AM

I'm not sure what they are called, but you could wear them on a plastic belt/necklace/bracelet which was often rainbow colored. The charms range from bottles, telephones, to eggs in a frying pan. Anyway they released them again- I saw them at the craft store Michael's! I almost bought some! They are the same molds! I saw a bunch that I had when I was little. I couldn't stop looking at them lol!

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Thunderwing on February 28, 2016, 11:32:04 AM

I don't think they had a proper name... weren't they available in the gumball type machines?

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: tiggerkitn25 on February 28, 2016, 01:26:09 PM

I did buy some last weekend.  =)  I found a few different ones at a different Michael's too. 

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: sailorstitch on February 28, 2016, 07:28:53 PM

OMG!!! They brought those back!!!! Now I need some! I have some of the original ones, but now I want some of the new ones too.

sailorstitch

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Wardah on February 28, 2016, 10:23:26 PM

Any pics? I'm curious what they look like.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: nemubones on February 28, 2016, 10:47:44 PM

I can't believe they brought those back, so heading to Michael's on my day off.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Leigh_Lu on February 29, 2016, 10:22:44 AM

Charmkins?

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Seachanger on February 29, 2016, 10:33:09 AM

They are flash charms! They are awesome and I love how they went for the same look and didn't try to modernize them somehow.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Galactica on February 29, 2016, 10:37:49 AM

Oh yeah I know exactly what you are talking about- I had a lot of them, I think some are actually quite collectible! (I found out one of my friends collects these actively so I just sent her what I had).

They remind me of being a kid in the 80s :)

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: ponyqueen on February 29, 2016, 11:22:05 AM

Egad I have so many of those things... never got rid of them. Didn't know they were a 'thing'!

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: tiggerkitn25 on February 29, 2016, 12:34:08 PM

Here is Michael's Facebook post about them with a good pic:

https://www.facebook.com/Michaels/photos/pb.85894279164.-2207520000.1450056253./10153832393174165/?type=3&theater

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: billietallent on February 29, 2016, 06:34:40 PM

They were called Charms 'n Things. If you look on Etsy, you can find some vintage MOC ones. I didn't know their proper name as a kid; I always called them bell charms.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Raindrop on March 01, 2016, 07:19:07 AM

I bought myself an abacus charm yesterday :).

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on March 01, 2016, 09:28:32 AM

Yes! I remember those!
:D
They are so awesome.. I had a slew of them back in the day. :) Wish I still had them all!

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ledbyrd on March 01, 2016, 06:20:39 PM

Ack the nostalgia! So awesome! I might have to pick up a few of these next time I go to Michael's.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Skylar on March 01, 2016, 07:05:51 PM

I had a whole bunch! Sold them on Ebay long ago. Sort of miss them.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sukey on March 01, 2016, 08:43:44 PM

Yeah, I really couldn't stop looking at them. Maybe I should have bought some. I was really eyeing the abacus, too! And the roller skate!

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on March 02, 2016, 06:16:30 AM

Quote from: Sukey on March 01, 2016, 08:43:44 PM

Yeah, I really couldn't stop looking at them. Maybe I should have bought some. I was really eyeing the abacus, too! And the roller skate!

I had a ton of them on a really long pink 'chain' necklace that I turned into a belt. I mean this thing was so long I fit all the charms on it and it was sooo cool.. I would dance around and make the charms jingle when I wore it, haha! There's a now infamous photo of me as a kid at a park dancing with the charm 'belt' on...I'll have to dig it out now and share it on the thread some time!  ^.^

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sukey on March 02, 2016, 02:53:47 PM

That'd be cool to see! My belt was rainbow! My charms are at my parents house somewhere!

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: GazeboMouse on March 05, 2016, 10:00:49 AM

I had one as a child in the 80s but can't work out what it was. All I remember that it was a turquoisy blue, could have been a tennis racquet, could have been something totally different! Wish they would sell them again over here! So 80s...

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: SunnyDazeAhead on March 06, 2016, 06:36:14 AM

I REMEMBER THOSE!!!  :whoa: I used to find them at Ben Franklin or the Party House back in the 80s. I have a Michael's across the street from me so I will have to check it out!! I'd love to get some of those back as I always loved charms and charm bracelets! :lovey:

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: kCherry on March 06, 2016, 10:17:48 AM

Woah! Serious flashback!!!!!!! :drunk:

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: sailorstitch on March 06, 2016, 08:06:08 PM

How much are they at Michael's?

sailorstitch

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: tiggerkitn25 on March 07, 2016, 09:27:02 AM

$2 plus tax.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on March 12, 2016, 02:04:37 PM

I finally got to Michael's and got some of these  :)

Pics under the spoiler because they're pretty big

Spoiler

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 (http://s298.photobucket.com/user/barbiedisneyfan/media/IMG_0304_zpsf9dulz7w.jpg.html)     


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 (http://s298.photobucket.com/user/barbiedisneyfan/media/IMG_0303_zpske6v0oy2.jpg.html)

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 (http://s298.photobucket.com/user/barbiedisneyfan/media/IMG_0300_zps2ocrjzdx.jpg.html)

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 (http://s298.photobucket.com/user/barbiedisneyfan/media/IMG_0301_zpsmpwdgx4l.jpg.html)

I bought an extra frying pan by mistake. I'd be willing to trade for another charm if anyone wants to trade.    :)


Ponyfan

. 

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on March 25, 2016, 01:41:41 PM

I bought some more Flash Charms today. :)


Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on March 25, 2016, 01:46:29 PM

I need to go to our Michael's ! :D

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on March 25, 2016, 03:24:01 PM

I still have an extra frying pan with eggs charm.


Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: princessluna11706 on April 25, 2016, 01:09:02 AM

I used to love these too ^_^ Glad to see they've brought them back unchanged!

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on April 25, 2016, 06:37:06 AM

Quote from: Ponyfan on March 25, 2016, 03:24:01 PM

I still have an extra frying pan with eggs charm.


Ponyfan

Hey, I'm interested if you still have it! :) Are you in the US? Sending PM.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on April 25, 2016, 10:24:50 AM

I saw series 2 is out today. I saw a lunchbox and thermos charm.

Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Galactica on April 25, 2016, 10:58:01 AM

They had a bunch at Michaels- but even at $2 a piece, it just felt too expenive for cheap plastic charms.  Guess I know now why my mother never bought me any!  (I had the fakie ones)

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: tiggerkitn25 on April 25, 2016, 02:06:35 PM

Galactica, I think they used to be in the quarter machines when I was little?

Yeah, I saw new ones in an email Michael's sent me.  My nearest one doesn't have them yet though.  I'm looking for 2 of the rainbows if anyone finds them.  =)

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on May 25, 2016, 12:35:00 PM

I saw a whole bunch of series 2 Flash Charms today. The cheeseburger one is so cute. :)


Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: tiggerkitn25 on May 25, 2016, 01:23:26 PM

I'm STILL looking for 2 rainbow charms from series 2 if anyone can help me out.  =)  My store hasn't gotten series 2 yet, I'll check again this weekend.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on May 25, 2016, 03:10:49 PM

Here's a pic of my collection so far.

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tiggerkitn25 my store had a few rainbow charms. I'd be happy to check on them for you the next time I go.  :)


Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Princess Lala on May 26, 2016, 12:20:04 AM

Omg I'm a 90's kid ('91) and I totally had a ton of these!!!! Wow I want to go up to micheals and look at them all!

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on May 26, 2016, 06:36:27 AM

Quote from: Ponyfan on May 25, 2016, 03:10:49 PM

Here's a pic of my collection so far.

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 (http://s298.photobucket.com/user/barbiedisneyfan/media/Flash%20Charms_zpsfzoldlrp.jpg.html)

tiggerkitn25 my store had a few rainbow charms. I'd be happy to check on them for you the next time I go.  :)


Ponyfan

Awesome collection, Ponyfan! :D

I just recently got into collecting the '80s ones again and recently discovered I have a She-Ra chain!!  ^.^
Back at the end of the She-Ra toy production in the late '80s, Imperial bought all the inventory to make chains out of the melted She-Ra stuff :( Sad for Mattel [and all She-Ra fans] but worked out good for Imperial since it was sold so cheaply! Anyways... nowadays, She-Ra chains, which are a light pinkish hue with white swirled around, go for about $30 - $50 each - sometimes higher!

I'll have to take a photo of my charms and chain and share with y'all. I've also acquired several '80s/90s 'knock off' chains and charms. They are super fun and they all remind me of my childhood. :)

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: tiggerkitn25 on May 26, 2016, 01:39:30 PM

Quote from: Ponyfan on May 25, 2016, 03:10:49 PM

Here's a pic of my collection so far.

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 (http://s298.photobucket.com/user/barbiedisneyfan/media/Flash%20Charms_zpsfzoldlrp.jpg.html)

tiggerkitn25 my store had a few rainbow charms. I'd be happy to check on them for you the next time I go.  :)


Ponyfan

Ponyfan, that would be awesome if you could pick 2 up for me.  I'll check my store this weekend too, just in case.  If I wind up with four, no problem!  I'm sure I can find things to clip them onto lol.  Thanks so much!  Nice collection, btw!

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on May 28, 2016, 11:21:08 AM

Thanks Sweet_Stuff and tiggerkitn25.   :)  That's really interesting about the She-Ra chain.  I got some more Series 2 Flash charms today. Tiggerkitn25 I sent you a PM.  :)

Here's my second chain.

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 (http://s298.photobucket.com/user/barbiedisneyfan/media/IMG_0514_zpsv3ig0kpw.jpg.html)


Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: plushroo on May 29, 2016, 08:34:17 PM

Yes! I still have a few of mine from when I was a kid.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on May 29, 2016, 08:40:03 PM

Quote from: plushroo on May 29, 2016, 08:34:17 PM

Yes! I still have a few of mine from when I was a kid.

Which ones do you have? :D

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: NovelNerd on May 29, 2016, 08:49:21 PM

Oh man I would love to have these again! No Micheal's close by what a pain.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on May 30, 2016, 08:49:09 PM

Quote from: Maddie on May 29, 2016, 08:49:21 PM

Oh man I would love to have these again! No Micheal's close by what a pain.

I will have some for sale / trade at the Pony Meet Up event! :D

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on May 31, 2016, 06:52:08 AM

Has anyone seen one of the Flash Charms guides in their Michael's store? According to this YouTube video it says some of the charms have already been retired.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGHbtj0byn0

I did not see one of those guides at my store.


Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: NovelNerd on May 31, 2016, 10:50:57 AM

Quote from: Sweet_Stuff on May 30, 2016, 08:49:09 PM

Quote from: Maddie on May 29, 2016, 08:49:21 PM

Oh man I would love to have these again! No Micheal's close by what a pain.

I will have some for sale / trade at the Pony Meet Up event! :D

Oh cool I'll have to look through them! I wish Micheal's sold them online. The nearest store to me is like forty miles. All this makes me wonder where the ones I had as a kid went.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on June 04, 2016, 09:46:50 AM

If you have a Michael's close by you might want to see if your store is having a sale on these.  My store is selling the regular charms for $1 and the kits (usually $10) for $5.

Would anyone mind picking up a free Flash Charm guide for me from their store?  My store doesn't have them yet.


Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on June 04, 2016, 10:46:29 AM

Quote from: Maddie on May 31, 2016, 10:50:57 AM

Quote from: Sweet_Stuff on May 30, 2016, 08:49:09 PM

Quote from: Maddie on May 29, 2016, 08:49:21 PM

Oh man I would love to have these again! No Micheal's close by what a pain.

I will have some for sale / trade at the Pony Meet Up event! :D

Oh cool I'll have to look through them! I wish Micheal's sold them online. The nearest store to me is like forty miles. All this makes me wonder where the ones I had as a kid went.

Yeah my childhood charms and necklaces, still don't know where they went...

I'll have vintage Imperial charms, a few vintage knock offs and some necklaces.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on June 20, 2016, 05:55:42 AM

Someone found a booklet for me. Thank you. :)

Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: JazzMatazz on June 21, 2016, 04:51:57 PM

I had a bunch of those as a handme down from Cousins! I ended up selling them on ebay. Wasn't too many charms I was all about. This new set is super cute though!

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: NovelNerd on July 09, 2016, 01:09:46 AM

I'm obsessed with these now and have been going out of my way to get them. :lol:

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: BryteStar on July 09, 2016, 02:45:23 AM

I didn't know these were a thing in the 80's! I got the purple unicorn (of course) but I've been wanting to get some more, they're super cute!

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80\'s?
Post by: ValhallaLilly on July 12, 2016, 10:52:12 AM

When I get home I will post a pic of mine from when I was little.

Post Merge: July 12, 2016, 06:35:59 PM

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those are what I've got. seems like they were easy to break since I had a couple of just the bell section.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on November 03, 2016, 04:42:45 PM

Great picture ValhallaLilly. Does anyone know if Michael's discontinued these? When I checked last weekend I couldn't find any in store and none are listed online.

Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: tiggerkitn25 on November 03, 2016, 04:44:51 PM

I haven't seen any of these in weeks.  =(

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on November 03, 2016, 05:12:37 PM

I just heard back from Micheals. The Flash Charms are discontinued.  :sad: 

Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on November 03, 2016, 06:24:04 PM

I started a great collection of vintage charms..on two different necklaces - one necklace is the elusive 'She-Ra melted plastic' pink necklace -- over the past summer. :D I will post some photos this weekend!

Yes, I started another collection.. haha... I was trying to just get the charms I had as a kid then I just ended up getting a lot more.. Hmm. Sound familiar? :lol: XD 

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Thunderwing on November 03, 2016, 06:46:38 PM

I have a bunch of vintage ones I can sell, if interested, PM me! 

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: True on November 03, 2016, 10:45:28 PM

I never actually had any of the charms xD but I did have a bunch of the brightly colored plastic chains that I would layer up, I look at them every time I go to the craft store, and they always bring me back. I might get some, just to make a fun charm for my 3DS or something. :P

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: JazzMatazz on November 04, 2016, 02:34:51 PM

That's sad that they discontinued them so fast! I recently remembered their other common name is Bell Charms. I found some the beginning of October at goodwill and when I listed them on ebay the lot went over $40 I was not expecting that, knew they were worth at least 20 tops.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on November 05, 2016, 11:29:56 AM

Ok, finally I had time to take photos the other night and post them on this thread!  :lol:
Please excuse the terrible photos..  >_< I had my phone set up as a hot spot and the flash never came on because of it...so, I had to edit them through Flickr.


Anyways, an online friend of mine I know through a Facebook B/S/T Vintage toys group knows a ton about these and the original company who made these, Imperial.. Eventually I would like to get them appraised by him but will worry about that later! A few that stand out and are more valuable than the traditional "$3 - $5 commons" are the skis, little purple and white chicken in the egg charm and pink butterfly.. Also, I think the US map.. The purple colored baby bottle is also worth a little higher than the other baby bottles because of its color. I think a couple of mine are knockoffs, but sometimes that's hard to tell because some competitors got really good at making them so close to the Imperial charms. The chains I can tell just by glancing at them and their clasps..


Here's the dark pink chain with the first batch. Unfortunately, my childhood necklace and charms are lost somewhere.. They may be at my grandma and grandpa's house but I haven't been there in years to even look.. I have to find that photo of me as a kid wearing the necklace as a belt..  :biggrin:

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Here's the "She-Ra" pink chain with more! Regarding the chain, it's worth anywhere between $35 - $50 alone. You can tell it's real by the clip (Imperial type) and the pinky flesh color with white-ish colored swirls in it. When Mattel discontinued the She-Ra toy line, they melted the left over plastics and sold it to Imperial for cheap.. This was shortly after the discontinuation of the toyline.. '87 -'88. -- I got this info from my online friend! Sorry I don't have closer photos of the chain right now.. But anyways, I was super excited about my find! :D
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Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on November 06, 2016, 02:14:51 PM

You have a great collection Sweet_Stuff.  I was surprised the Flash Charms were discontinued so quickly also. They seemed to be selling well.


Ponyfan

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Sweet_Stuff on November 06, 2016, 02:22:06 PM

Quote from: Ponyfan on November 06, 2016, 02:14:51 PM

You have a great collection Sweet_Stuff.  I was surprised the Flash Charms were discontinued so quickly also. They seemed to be selling well.


Ponyfan

Thank you! :D

Yeah, that's really odd... that's what usually happens though.. People start liking something and they take it off the shelves..  -_- I never got to check them out my local store. :(

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: NovelNerd on November 18, 2016, 06:00:46 PM

Yeah I was sad they were discountined right when a Michael's opened here. I was just glad I didn't as able to get just about all of them while they were in clearance

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: cannibalism on November 18, 2016, 06:03:19 PM

i just bought a frying pan with an egg it in at micheal's this week, i put it on my keys :  )!! its sooo cute i aboslutely love it.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: BryteStar on November 24, 2016, 11:09:05 AM

Noooo they've been discontinued?!  :yikes: :sad:

I love mine so much...I only have a couple, but they make me so happy!

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Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: NovelNerd on November 24, 2016, 11:36:25 AM

Yeah but some Michael's still have leftover stock on sale. I would buy them up fast.

Title: Re: Anyone remember those plastic charms from the 80's?
Post by: Ponyfan on November 24, 2016, 01:54:12 PM

Wow BryteStar. You have a great collection.  :). Are the retro chains strong enough to hold the vintage charms? I have a few that I bought /traded for and am thinking of adding them to my 2nd chain.

Ponyfan