Viola Fox charms are sold locally in San Francisco at assorted little boutiques and at Cafe Gratitude. The bad news is that you can't find them anywhere and each one is unique so you can't request a specific design. The good news is that you can't find them everywhere and the one you buy is a one of a kind. In this age of Starbucks in Paris and Gap pretty much everywhere, it's nice to find a product that really is unique.
The charms are made with glass and some kind of industrial metal and typically contain an image on one side and a brief message on the other. The metal is then fused together and the charm is placed on a sturdy chain, though you can dress up the charm simply by changing the chain.
I've had mine for years, but even before I bought it, I'd seen the charms around town for a long time and was always looking for one that had a message that meant something to me. Finally I found it: on one side an image of a teeny little figure making a mad jump from one cliff to another; on the back, the simple words, "Good Luck." One of the things I've learned in life is that often you just have to take a leap, and this little charm has served as my good luck charm.
It also consistently gets compliments from all types, just like my Orla Kiely bag. Sometimes good taste is just universal I guess.