Beautiful Collectible Beads Charm the World

Bead charm bracelets have become incredibly popular, with many different companies making their own versions. The company that started it all, in 1976, was Trollbeads in Denmark.

Silversmith Søren Nielsen designed the beads and strung them on leather cords. Later, the family-owned company introduced a chain with a removable clasp, allowing wearers to add their own combinations of beads.

The Trollbeads collection continued to grow as interchangeable bead jewelry became a stylish trend. Today, Trollbeads come in a variety of materials, including silver, 18K gold, precious and semi-precious stones, colorful glass, and pearls.

The beads are known for their detailed craftsmanship and whimsical designs inspired by mythology, fables and nature. The chains can also accommodate beads from other companies such as Pandora, because it’s very simple to remove the clasp from one end.

Troll beads are sold online and at many jewelry stores around the world. Trollbeads.com is their official website, where you can order beads or look for a distributor near you. Another website, Trollbeadsuniverse.com, has a wealth of information about the company and its designers, and helps you locate your nearest retailer to place an order.

New bead collections are launched every season. The company avoids the big department stores to focus on selling in smaller boutiques, so unless there is one near you, it may be best to order online.

Pandora, on the other hand, is a company that also sells beads and charms, but their designs and distribution methods are different. Pandora was also founded in Denmark, in 1982. Now they sell their customizable bead jewelry in more than 65 countries.

Pandora’s silver and gold necklaces and bracelets have a patented “threaded” design that allows users to interchange the beads by threading them onto the chain, and also add clips to keep them in place.

 The beads are available in murano glass, sterling silver, 14K gold and precious or semi-precious stones. Pandora.net allows you to browse the collections and find the store nearest you. Many major shopping malls have Pandora stores, and large stores such as Jared and Bloomingdale’s also carry Pandora beads.

Chamilia, another bead charm company, makes beads and chains that are also compatible with Pandora. Unlike Pandora, their chains do not have the threads for attaching clips. 

Their collection includes many beautiful designs such as beads with Swarovski crystals. Chamilia designs are sometimes more cute and playful than Pandora.

Troll Beads: Jewelry Tidbits

Troll beads are created by internationally renowned jewelery designers; designed from Italian Murano glass, natural pearls, semi-precious and precious stones. Trollbeads are amazingly high-quality beads made from a variety of different premium materials and designed by numerous different people and are perfect for those who want to know how to make wire jewelry with unique pieces on them. They work almost like a charm bracelet, allowing the wearer to attach any bead to a chain to make her own piece of bead jewelry with its own story! Troll beads are beads originally created by a Scandinavian company and used in bracelets. They are whimsical and fun and are similar to the popular US "charm bracelets".

Charm bracelets have been the subject of several waves of trends. Queen Victoria wore charm bracelets that started a fashion among the European noble classes. Charms also were worn in the dark ages to represent family origin, religious and political convictions.

Trollbeads are compatible with Chamilia and Pandora beads. Those beads will fit on a troll beads bracelet however the Troll beads will not fit on a Chamilia or Pandora bracelet or chain. They are created by eighteen Danish and internationally renowned jewelry designers.

Troll beads allow you to create your own story with many different symbols, flowers, animals, zodiac signs, colors and materials, there are endless combinations or variations.
They really are remarkable, beautifully-created, and wonderful charms/beads - that take art of creating a bead or charm bracelet so much fun! Not only is it fun, but you can quickly and easily change your bracelet with every whim of desire, or to match any outfit you might wear ANY day!

Genuine troll beads are made from the highest quality raw materials including sterling silver, 18 karat gold, Italian Murano glass, natural pearls, semi- precious stones and amber. They are solid cast beads that simply slide onto the bracelet or necklace and are completely interchangeable. The beads do not lock into place, but move freely.

Start learning how to make jewelry designs that are stunning by adding to your collection of beads by adding troll beads.

How to Make Jewelry with Trollbeads

Here is a small project that you can use to put all of your newly purchased genuine troll beads to good use. I found this project, created by Kathy Mamet, who has nearly two decades of beading experience and providing classes to aspiring beaders. This a very good project for those that are wanting to learn how to make wire jewelry:

Twisted-Wire Bracelet

Skill level: Beginner
Estimated time: 1 hour
Tools: Chain-nose pliers (flat nose), round-nose pliers, wire cutters
Supplies: 20-gauge brass wire, 1 brass toggle clasp, 45-60 Troll beads with holes large enough to fit the 20-gauge wire.

Instructions:

1. Cut 4 yards of wire. Fold in half. Insert wire through ring on circle portion of toggle and slide to fold.
2. Using chain-nose pliers, make first twist by holding wires together, approximately 1/4 -inch down from toggle. Grasp toggle and twist until twisted wire is approximately 1/8 -inch long. (Note: do not over twist wire)
3. Now separate the wires. About 1/2 inch past the twist, bend one wire into a "U" shape. Slide a bead into the "U." Hold bead and twist until wire beneath forms a twist.
4. Repeat step 3 with the second wire.
5. Using chain-nose pliers, hold both wires 1/4 inch down from beads. Twist beaded section until twist is 1/8 -inch long.
6. Continue steps 3, 4 and 5 until bracelet fits comfortably around wrist, allowing room for adding stick portion of clasp.
7. Cut remaining two wires, leaving each with a 2- to three 3-inch tail. Using round-nose pliers, bend joined wires to 90-degree angle above twist.
8. Make loop by bringing wires over top jaw of round nose pliers. Slip toggle stick into opening of loop.
9. Grasp partial loop with round-nose pliers. Hold wire tails with chain nose pliers and wrap tightly around wire stems beneath loop, two to three times. Trim excess wire.

Let me know what you think of this project and I will try to find more that you can use to make even more of your troll beads jewelry. This is a pretty simple project for those just beginning to learn how to make jewelry.

Genuine Troll Beads & Books to Help Create Jewelry with Them

Tutorials for Jewelry Making

Well after a long holiday break from updating my how to make wire jewelry blog, I have returned to give all of you the opportunity to find out more about troll beads and the beading hobby by giving you a list of the books that have helped me to become familiar with beading, finding the right tools and workspace...of course in the most economical fashion possible. 

Cause if you're like me, you want to find fun hobbies to do, but really don't have that trust fund to fall back on to pay the bills. So without any further delay here is the list of four books that really helped me:

1. Jewelry Making and Beading for Dummies 

I have always enjoyed the "for Dummies" series of books, due to the simplification of all of the tasks. This one in particular has step by step instruction for beginner projects all the way to the more complex ones that involve things such as wire wrapping and knotting. So whether you want to use trollbeads for making necklaces, key chains or wine charms, you're sure to find the steps to guide you on how to make jewelry on your beading project.


2. The New! Beader's Companion by Judith Durant

Personally, I consider this my beading reference book! This was the second book that I purchased and after getting the basics down, "Beaders Companion" is just that, a companion to provide you with all of the terminology and reference for a huge list of beading techniques. I definitely recommend getting this book after reading a more introductory-type book like the book listed at #1.


3. Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire & Beaded Jewelry by Sharilyn Miller.

Now we have ventured into the arena for the more experienced beaders. After you have done about 3-5 projects of beading together trollbeads, this book will provide you with the information to create more complex jewerly. Sharilyn has a wonderful way of elaborately describing and detailing all of the advanced techniques. Once you've done a few of the ones illustrated in this book, you will be a pro!!!


4. Marketing & Selling your Handmade Jewelry: The Complete Guide to Turning your Passion into Profit by Viki Lareau

This final book is being listed because, after creating several works of art (IMHO!!), I ran across this book at Barnes & Nobles. I thought to myself, what the heck?!! I enjoy making these pieces of jewelry, why not see if I can make some extra spending money. Viki takes a very good approach to describing all of the skills and factors that come into play in presenting, pricing, marketing and ultimately selling your handmade pieces of jewelry. Now this book may not be for everyone, especially those of you who enjoy beading as a simple hobby to relax after a long week! If you want to pad that emergency fund with some extra cash, this might be the way to go.


I hope that you go out and enjoy these excellent books, but more so that you find the passion for creating one of a kind pieces of jewelry with troll beads. You will be creating items that you can't just go down to the local jewelry store or mall outlet to find!!

Stay tuned for the next upcoming post that will include a beginner's level beading project for you. In the meantime, if you want to pick up some beads to get ready to do some beading be sure to follow the link above!!

Genuine Troll Beads Make Great Gifts

Earlier in the month I wrote about how you can be quite selfless by creating heartfelt jewelry made from troll beads and donating them to sick children. Let me ask you if there has ever been a time...usually after watching a Kay Jewelers or Jared's commercial for the millionth time that you wish provide more meaningful gifts for your family and less time trying to track down the new iPhone or a new Lexus?

Starting a new hobby by learning how to make wire jewelry with your family, even if its just one night a week, can help tremendously to build the bond with your kids. Beading is quite a simple and even addicting hobby to start.

When you can make outlandish or pieces of jewelry that stand out, you will capture the imagination and enthusiasm of your kids. Even in an article by Kim Mitchell for GO! Magazine there is mention.
"Glitter and glam could be just the thing to get your girls interested in making Christmas gifts, Riall said.

With so many options in the jewelry isles, Riall said the time consuming part won't be the making, but the selecting."

So start by getting involved with your kids with you, clear off the kitchen and start putting troll beads onto your jewelry pieces. And if you're so inclined, give them as gifts to those your care about!

If you want to read the whole article from Kim click here

Homemade Jewelry with Trollbeads Given to Sick Children

It seems that it is all too common these days that the younger generation is accused of being too self-absorbed and selfish; I recently read a story of how some kids learned how to make wire jewelry in their spare time. 

How refreshing is it find that there are young groups of children that have banded together to make beaded jewelry and donate these items to sick children during their hospital stays.

What an example to all of us and even a call to action. Are you looking for some way to relax or find a new hobby? 

Then why not make bracelets and necklaces with troll beads? These unique little trinkets can then be donated to children’s hospitals or other charities for a sick child to be given. 

When they see these animated little troll beads of an animal or some other creature, it can take them away from their pain…if only for a few minutes.

To read the article of the young girl scout who has donated hundreds of personally created jewelry click here