Attn TBHQ, We do shop Internationally! Duh!

JOYFUL! People are freaking out everywhere about this. So here is what I know:

1) If you can't wait, buy one now from: http://www.acotis.co.uk/trollbeads-joyful/md11502/p_65713/ Joyful has been released in the UK as a Ltd Edition timed to correspond with their Mother's Day. But you may pay more than in your country, and there is shipping too.

2) If you are like me and prefer to dance on the knife's edge, (well, I like to think of myself as a daring & risk taking Trollie,) put your faith in the rumors that this bead will be coming to the US, Canada, South Africa, Denmark, NL, Germany, Italy & other places soon. For North America, it will coincide with our Mother's Day in May, so late April release is probable.

3) If you are absolutely annoyed that Trollbeads HQ in Denmark did not take the advice from my past Blog post, http://trollgirl2.blogspot.com/2011/10/10-things-trollbeads-needs-to-do.html and time Ltd Edition releases to be the same date WORLDWIDE, then email them or post on their FB site to let them know. Why bother? Because our local dealers lose business when everyone orders their Joyfuls from the UK, which makes it harder for Trollbeads retailers to be in business, which makes it less likely they'll keep carrying Trollbeads, which means we can't pick our beads in real life, which would make us sad, which would make me sad, etc etc etc.

So let's not let Joyful make us all SAD, and contact TBHQ and your TB distributors to let them know your opinions. This is the internet age, we all shop online, PayPal and international shipping options are our best friends & we all are on International Forums. Trollbeads, please dig your heads out of the sand & stop treating us like we don't know how to turn on a computer. Sigh....

Eske Eye Candy

Oh you naughty ladies! It's not what you think! ;) Here is a picture of my current Eske bracelet, most of the silvers are designed by him. He will have his own online shop up & running soon, so stay tuned...

(silvers: Thor's hammer, World Tour Denmark Viking Ship, Fabled Faces, retired Viking, the small Sleipner Drum from his own work, and the Elephant Lock.)

Eske Storm on Facebook

Eske is on Facebook! Follow the link & LIKE his new page:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Eske-Storm-Goldsmith-Design/229975643749477

Attn. US Fans

Find the details about the Valentine's Trunk Show deals on Trollbeads US's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/TrollbeadsUS?sk=app_275817399152934

Attn. Hong Kong Fans

Hong Kong fans: Excellent promotional deal was spotted on the Trollbeads Hong Kong's Facebook page. Check it out: https://www.facebook.com/?sk=nf#!/Trollbeadshongkong

Valentine, be mine!

Valentine's Day. Let's face it boys, if you want to make her happy, the only currency your bead-obsessed lady is likely to accept is, well, more beads. So I've chosen a few ideas for you, that will step out of the cliche "Pink & Hearts" type of gifts.

For the girl that has every bead, try a Trollbeads ring! The Baby's Breath and the Daisy are two of my favorites, just make sure to get a gift receipt so she can exchange the size. Another great idea (and often overlooked) is a Safety Chain and/or stopper beads. They are a must for any girl's bracelet but one of those not-fun type of Trollbeads items that she may need.

A few of my other picks: Swan Lock (very romantic), Glass Trolls or 3 Flowers with the dichroic glass, these may be beads she won't buy herself but the dichroic adds a new dimension to a bracelet. For a more traditional gift, the Bright Red Prism, Pearl Tassel, Cute Teddy silver, or the White Heart (black & white) glass bead are in keeping with the love theme but versatile too and can work into many color schemes.

I really love the White Petals glass bead, with lavender and white on clear glass. This is soft & pretty and perfect for the girl who hates pink but likes pastels. The faceted black Onyx gemstone and the new Red Tiger's Eye are a sure hit for darker colors. If she doesn't have one in her beadbox yet, the Ltd Edition Troll Coin is a great collectors item too.

If you are feeling the "Star Crossed Lovers" vibe, or just want her to be really impressed, why not give her the silver Sparkling Star silver bead or splurge for the Gold & Silver Stars bead. Then Google Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet, be inspired by the bit about "two star crossed lovers" and write it in the card.

For you US boys, Trollbeads US is having a Valentine's Day promotion with some great offers. February 10th to 14th, you can get a Free bracelet with purchase of Decorated clasp, Buy 3 get the 4th free on beads, and $50 off gold/silver (over $250) or $100 off a gold bead (over $500). You can pre-order online at several shops, but try www.ordertrollbeads.com or locate your nearest dealer on www.trollbeadsuniverse.com

If you really want to impress her, consider ordering the Limited Edition RAF Benevolent Fund Heart Bead from the U.K. You can preorder from www.steffans.co.uk

Of course it won't arrive by Valentine's Day, but that's OK, she won't mind receiving a "consolation" bead until it arrives. ;)

New Eske Storm Dealer

Eske's new "Four Foxes" bead, courtesy of Beads4Love.com

I really love Eske Storm. If the name doesn't ring a bell for you, he has designed the "viking" theme beads for Trollbeads, including Migaard Serpent, Viking, Fabled Faces, and the Elephant Lock to name a few. It's long overdue, but I'd like to share a new webpage that is selling more of Eske's work. These are his own work, not under Trollbeads, but with TBHQ retiring a few of his designs recently, here is a great place for you to get your Eske fill.

http://www.beads4love.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&language=en