This is what my Trollbeads bracelet looks like so far. It's a strange collection of colors, but that's okay, they're bright and cheerful. It'll change as I collect more beads.
It's been on my arm ever since I've had it and even fall asleep with it! During the rare moments no needle is in my hand, I find myself twirling and playing with it, enjoying the secret stories and meanings of the charms that they have for me. My daughter is crazy about hers as well, and it's fun to chose a new bead together. We talk about what each bead means to us and why we chose it, and which ones we'd like and why. It is another fun way to learn about each other...

I'll share with you a little about the beads and what they symbolize. From right to left:

Cells - fascinated by what nature is and how such a basic building block can create such wonder in the world.

Red Fizz - a birthday gift, a color that has always challenged me.

Lucky Dragon - I'm a dragon in the Chinese zodiac. They've always been an important symbol to me.

China - a birthday gift; a wonderful blue that reminds me of the Chinese worker suits I used to wear when there working in the rice fields...

Purple bubble - a spiritual color, a calming color, I imagine the bubbles burst through the surface like when I used to SCUBA.

The Lion - I'm a Leo

Green Rainbow - a fresh and cooling color, reminds me of the rustling leaves when walking through the woods

Three sisters - a birthday gift from Mieke, who considers me a like a little sister.

The Fish Lock - for the name "guppy" or "guppie" in Dutch: my daughter's second nickname.

I've always wanted one, a charm bracelet, and now I have one.
Here it is, my own Trollbead bracelet.

I've found something new and frivolous to get excited about: Trollbeads.

It all started when considering a gift for my daughter, who's turning sixteeen the 21st this month. I thought it was time for a more "serious" gift, something memorable, meaningful & personal. The classic charm bracelet came to mind, but upon seeing them in the jewelry shops, they looked flimsy, and visions of them breaking off and hooking onto sweaters and things immediately came to mind.

Then my eye caught these beads. Up until that moment I had completely forgotten that a good friend of mine had been given such a bracelet, each family member gifting her with a bead until it was full. I see it always on her arm, and each bead has a personal meaning to her and brings her pleasure every day.

The decision wasn't difficult to make and now, at the shop, the bracelet, and a glass bead waits for the other two silver beads on order. Dear Daughter will be able to create her own bracelet, special only to her. Did check first with and receive the enthousiastic blessing of one of her best friends - didn't want to go through all the trouble only to find it wasn't cool to have such a thing! I'm very excited and hope she'll be as well.

In the meantime, I've fallen in love with these beautful little sculptures too! Since my birthday is two days before, you can probably guess what I would like! A wish list is in the makng....

In case you're wondering what these Trollbeads are, here are some photos.....