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

Tip of the Day

If you didn't order your Coffee Cup from the Austria World Tour release, don't. Especially if you'd prefer a smaller version. ;)

11 days until the new release!

Lazy Days of... Spring!

I've been lazy, not posting over the holidays and have been steadily watching my daily hits falling from 400 to about, oh 80 or so. Naughty! But I'm back with some news... Oh yes! Oh yes, I've seen the Spring beads. You will be very, very pleased with them. This is a really stellar release, but enough gushing and some dirt for you:

Greens & Creams dominate the glass, with some burgundy shades to co-ordinate with the silver core Ruby. Yes this stone finally makes it into the "peasant" budget by ditching the expensive gold core for more sensible silver. A Cream Armadillo dominates - (remember those lovely Chai Buds & Glass Stones that we miss so much???) - well someone at TBHQ was listening and although not quite the same as our old favorites, you'll be pleased with the new spring cream glass.

The silvers are amazing; among my favorites are a silver elongated Phoenix bird to captivate your imagination, a leaping rabbit in the style of "Decorated Bird" from the Fall release, a small silver Flowers bead offered in gold or silver, and some bending-the-mind barrel silver beads that offer a new look from anything we've seen before. The Double Heart clasp is a must, and re-invents the design of the past TB locks. I think this will be a crowd pleaser.

No, I haven't stolen any pictures to share with you. Well, I have, but quite frankly the fan-sponsored forums do a much better job of sharing the sneak peeks & details these days. They've almost put my blog out of business. So I'm just going to summarize a few tips for everyone who doesn't have the time to regularly read the forums/FB groups:

Jan 27th - Spring Release and WorldWide Price Increase

I've had many requests for the Retirement list. Please refer to this excellent blog by a Canadian retailer for the info on the Jan 2012 retirements:

Part 1: http://tartooful.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/trollbeads-2012-retirements-part-i-glass/

And Part 2: http://tartooful.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/trollbeads-2012-retirements-part-ii/

If you aren't on FACEBOOK you need to sign up. Trollbeads US has been running daily contests giving away the new Ltd Edition China Zodiac beads.

https://www.facebook.com/#!/TrollbeadsUS

Dec 9th Rumored Releases

If you haven't found that perfect gift for the Trollbeads collecting family or friends yet, hang tight! On December 9th Trollbeads is releasing Maternity & Paternity in an affordable silver version. These are great beads with a universal message and will make the perfect stocking stuffer. (Hubby if you are reading this I'm sorry, but I still want the gold silver version. :P )

A rumored set of 12 Chinese Zodiac beads are also scheduled to be released. These are similar in design & will complement with the Ltd China silvers. Before you make your list of zodiac signs, make sure you realize that the Chinese New Year does not start on Jan 1, which means your Zodiac may not be what you think it is if you go only by birth year. Google should be able to retrieve a Zodiac calculator for you to find your & your families signs.

If you are shopping for the girl that has too many beads, or you are like my husband and can't tell one bead from the next, consider getting her some Trollbeads earrings. The basic silver hooks and a set of earring "dangles" cost under $100. Here is my pick for the season, the Snowflake. You can shop online @ www.trollbeads.com - they ship worldwide, gift wrap, AND all you need is two finger typing skills & your credit cards. C'mon, you can do it!

***I have had a request for the retirement list as the link published has been disabled. I will post this later this week.