JIBBITZ HISTORYJibbitz originated in 2005 when stay-at-home mom Sheri Schmelzer of Boulder, Colo., created the charms from clay and rhinestones to decorate her and her three children's 12 pairs of Crocs. Setting up a small assembly line in their basement, the Schmelzers launched a company to share the designs with family and friends. Within a year, Jibbitz were available in thousands of stores and sold more than 8 million pieces worldwide. In 2006, Crocs Inc. acquired the company, keeping founders Rich and Sheri Schmelzer as president and chief design officer.www.crocshoesnews.comDID YOU KNOW?* Crocs clogs, the original design, helps people with foot problems such as planter warts, bunions and diabetes.* To clean Crocs, sterilize in a water and bleach mixture.* The footbed of Crocs is good for circulation and stimulates blood flow.Source: www.crocshoesnews.com
Crocs come in several colors, but if you really want to jazz them up, think Jibbitz. These charm-like accessories pop into the ventilation holes of the iconic shoes. You can show you're a fan of Mickey Mouse, create a daisy chain across your feet or spell out your name with alphabet letters with the whimsical adornments.
Since debuting in 2005, Jibbitz have exploded in popularity, said Crocs spokeswoman Shelley Weibel.
"Consumers loved the concept of expressing their individuality through the hundreds of Jibbitz charms available," she said.
Signal Mountain resident Berry Shults said her two children, Graham, 8, and Bennett, 4, were given Jibbitz a few years ago by a friend in Boulder, Colo., where the accessories originated.
"Bennett's favorite is a shark, and Graham's favorite is Tinkerbell and a big flower," said Mrs. Shults. "My favorite is Max from 'Where the Wild Things Are.' "
The designs are refreshed seasonally. Some of the latest styles are a light-up Buzz Lightyear from "Toy Story 3" and a 3-D alligator. Sports charms, particularly soccer balls and World Cup national flags, are also popular. The charms average in cost from $2 to $6.
Tami Chamberlain, mother of Zoe, 8, Emma, 6, and Shiloh, 5, said personalized Crocs can be a bonus for a busy mom.
"Emma said the Jibbitz makes it easier for her to locate her Crocs in a pile of shoes. I'll agree with her on that one. I inadvertently stole some kid's shoes from the pool the other day thinking they were Shiloh's."
All of the Chamberlain children own Crocs, but only Emma wears Jibbitz.
"Shiloh and Zoe complain that the backing (of the adornments) is uncomfortable," Mrs. Chamberlain said.
But all agree that the Jibbitz letters are "neat," especially when creating nameplates on their shoes, she said.
The original Crocs shoes were designed for adults, but it was evident that children liked the shoes as well, Ms. Weibel said. Children's shoe sizes were made available in 2003.
Jibbitz, she said, have become an all-ages attraction as well.