Retired Trollbeads... VOTE!

You have until May 31st to vote for your favorite retired trollbead to be reintroduced into the collection. If you've signed up for emails from www.trollbeads.com, you should have gotten a newsletter inviting you to http://www.trollbeadsuniverse.com/global/en-us. Create a profile to vote for your favorite retired beads. It's great fun & I'm guessing that the winning bead will be released sometime in June.

I've been asked if I have a link to new releases for Trollbeads. Sadly I'm just as much in the dark as anyone. In the past new releases were leaked early usually through dealers in Denmark who knew first, but things have now tightened up and TBs is getting quite good at keeping things secret until the big day. Rumors are that the next release of new beads will be mid-June. Since the Ltd Spring Flowers was released over 2 months ago, we are due for something new.

There's a bit of a mix-up in the UK where some dealers are saying that the Angel Pendant & the Baby Dragon Fantasy splitter are retired, but there hasn't been anything official on this yet. I can't see it, but one never knows...

In the meantime entertain yourself by browsing the 2010 or 2009 Inspiration bracelets from the US Distributor's website: http://www.trollbeadsus.com/braceletbuilder-Inspiration.aspx# Safari is shown above, I just love this one.

Coffee Table Book

The Trollbeads Coffee Table book was released earlier this year in a variety of languages. Check out this blogger's review:

http://www.cathryncook.co.uk/blog/category/trollbeads/

If you are still looking for a copy, it is sold out at the publisher's webshop and at Amazon. You can try some local shops. Some have a copy that you can look at, not everyone may want to buy it. :)

For collectors within North America, or who have a friends in North America, the book can be ordered from:

http://www.trollbeadsgallery.com/product/An-Icon-in-Jewellery-Design-=-Trollbeads.aspx

but hurry as supplies are limited.

Silence

There are no rumours about a Mother's Day release for 2010. Trollbeads is either getting better at keeping secrets or perhaps there will be nothing new before May 9th. There is a little talk about a Summer 2010 release and Ltd Edition (no idea what) that should have ample suppy to satisfy collectors (unlike the Valentine's Agate release), but nothing concrete. It is so quiet it is almost spooky!!!

Debut bracelets have changed in the UK. They are releasing new combos with 2 glass beads, chain, & lock for a discounted price. You can check them out on Fable Trading's facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/My-Trollbeads/339012497799?ref=ts They are due out this week. Fable is also releasing Ready Made Style bracelets, "Hearts & Pink Flowers" is pictured above. This makes a great gift & still leaves room to add more beads.

In Australia they are also having a new starter bracelet promotion. The Flower Pearl lock, chain, and one of the Pink Empowerment beads (previously released in the US) for a discounted price is being released especially for Mother's Day and will be limited in supply. Some of the proceeds will be going to Breast Cancer charity.

Until then we'll have to satisfy ourselves with catching up on the current production beads, and there certainly is enough of those beautiful beads to keep us busy for a while. :)

Spring Flowers Kits

Oh yes, I've been lazy all of March. I didn't post about the Ltd Editon Agates or the Empowerment Haiti beads. But there was so much buzz about them most people knew & they sold or are selling out quickly. But this is NEW: Europe has just released 2 Ltd Edition Spring Flower kits, one with a pink theme and the other a blue-green theme. I've heard rumours they are to be released in North America this week. Here are some pictures if you've missed them.

Price Increases

There are nasty tidbits floating around about price increases in the US. Australia just had a huge increase, especially in the silver categories. There are 2 rumours, one that only Silver Group 2 & 3 will increase by a few dollars, and the second that a large price increase will happen across the entire line of TBs. The d-date is February 15th, so we will have to watch and see which prices increase.

The Valentine's Limited Edition Crazy Lace Agates are flowing into stores quickly and out again just as fast. Europe has received smooth ones while North America facted ones. Shop around as prices vary, and don't wait too long as they are selling out quickly.

More New Beads...

That gorgeous Amazonite is in the new release! How exciting, it will make a great spring bead. I have a spot for it ready on my Fantasy Necklace. Speaking of, they have also adapted the Butterfly pendant to work on the Fantasy too. I'm guessing there will also be some gold beads released, but no word on those yet. Only 12 more days until release day (according to the European dealers...) Can't wait!

2010 Spring Release

The new spring release is set to come out February 1st. If rumors are true (wink, wink) the release will consist of 6 Glass 1 beads (those of you who liked the Ltd Denmark Charity release will be pleased), 3 Glass 2 beads in rocking pastel colors, 2 very wearable & restyled pendants to replace the recently retired ones, a new very graceful lock, a dichroic silver bead, 2 stone-(amber?) beads, and 8 new silvers to love.

If pictures are accurate, one looks to be a rework of the recently retired Sparrow bead. There were many complaints that this bead was not balanced well and always flipped upside down, so it will be interesting to see what this bead's story really is.

I don't want to compromise TB's lovely new release, it will be here soon enough. But of course I've included one picture of the most beautiful beads that I'm sure will be a best seller.

All I can say about this release is my bank account will be suffering!