craftgrrl | Help! What to do with charms?

Okay. I've been doing beading for years but really haven't done much with pendants and absolutely nothing with charms. My parents gave me a gift certificate to Fire Mountain Beads for my birthday, and I found a grab bag full of different beads, clasps, pendants, charms, and more for 25.00. (I believe the bag was a four pounder)

I was so excited, because ever since I was a kid I have LOVED grab bags. Plus I used to price jewelry for a thrift store, and my job was to go through piles of mismatched jewelry to find stuff to sell. I loved it.

Anyway, I got the bag and it has TONS of charms in it, and I have no idea what to do with them. Some are in sets with themes, but I do have a lot of individual ones, such as about 20-30 Celtic crosses, among others. I thought I'd make necklaces with them (I have black cotton cord that I can put pendants on). However, because of the way the loop is on all these charms, none of them would lay flat once I put them on the cord. Know what I mean?

So my question is, what the heck do I do?? I've searched like mad on google, and I found one video where a guy said that *if* it doesn't lie flat, to make a loop...but then he didn't show how to make a loop! I know there must be an obvious answer.

So what other things can I do with charms? I don't have an chain at the moment to work with, I only have the black cord, nylon "thread," and some beading wire. If any of you have ideas, or could link me to a website or two that will actually HELP me,I'd really appreciate it. :)

thank you!!