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We have just heard Trollbeads Worldwide CEO Peter Aagaard will be at Trollbeads Fest! 2011 on Spetember 24th.

Everyone at Trollbeads Gallery and Rogers Gallery couldn't be more excited or more proud.  Since the end of January and since creating Trollbeads-United States, Peter has worked tirelessly to bring together the best team he could and the success of his efforts is so apparent on all levels of the business. From retailer communications to national advertizing and now by hiring the new CEO of Trollbeads-United States, Michael J. Belleveau, Peter has created a steady vessel worthy of this brand we all love so much.  Belleveau, a well-respected executive, headed Baccarat Inc. for 8 years before stepping down earlier this week. During his career, he has held positions in the Swiss watch and luxury tableware arenas, including sales and general management posts with Cartier, Victorinox/Swiss Army and Bulgari. I was lucky to have met him recently and my first impressions found him direct and warm.  The future of Trollbeads in the United States is more secure than ever and the future plans,according to those in the know, will be tremendously exciting.

As you can imagine the last 8 months has been a whirlwind for Peter and for the whole Aagaard family visiting all the jewelry shows, U.S. retailers and between flying back and forth from Denmark.  Now you can understand why for us it is so special to have Peter make it to Trollbeads Fest! 2011.  Peter will be speaking during the event discussing the history of the family's involvement and some of the outstanding accomplishments of the the Aagaard Stewardship. They have created glass making centers in communities in need from India,South Africa and their work with displaced Tibetans has been monumental.

We started Trollbeads Fest last year and had an amazing event with people coming from all over the world...and 19 states!  This year promises to be even better with glass bead demonstrations, visiting Trollbeads designers and hundreds of special beads.  For more information visit TrollbeadsFest!2011.

The Trollbeads photograph above was taken by my friend and professional photograher Celia Pearson.  Celia is well known for her many years as a professional photographer and whose work has been published in many books, magazines and journals and I always feel honored when she starts working with my Trollbeads.

I'm proud to call Celia a close friend and our friendship all began in 2006 with a gallery exhibition she had at Rogers Gallery (our gallery) displaying her images of sea glass which had just been published in the book "Pure Sea Glass". Pearson illustrated the award winning book written by Richard LaMotte and to this day it is the foremost informational text on sea glass.  As with the glass she photographed for the book, Celia's handling of the subtle tones in glass Trollbeads is just as sensitive.

Each year Celia stays with us on her trips north and we pass our time together compatibly while she works her camera shooting our sea glass and I work mine shooting unique beads for my Trollbeads Gallery.  It's a balanced and symbiotic relationship because she shares my love of glass. Whether it's my sea glass or the seductive colors of Trollbeads she'll shoot while she's here, it's a favorite subject for Celia and her camera.

The small photograph above is one Celia took of my sea glass on one of her visits. I remember it was this time she took the photograph for the header bracelet of Trollbeads Forum, the image of the light blues and black bracelet.

Visit Celia's site to see her phenomenal work including her museum installations, exhibits or all of the other work she publishes. http://celiapearson.com/

 From left to right:Carole, Soren, Kim Murray (our star event helper) Louise,Penni and Peter Aagaard.

Our brick and mortar store, Rogers Gallery (as opposed to TrollbeadsGallery.com) hosted our second event with a genuine Trollbeads designer and who also happens to be one of my very favorite designers, Soren Nielsen. Yes, he is as kind and gentle as he appears in his pictures.

The event itself was wonderful in the sense that the people who attended were not as much excited about the product this time but more by meeting the artist who helped create Trollbeads and to them that was the whole purpose for attending.  I feel as though I have succeeded in expressing the very essence of the spirit behind the company and this spirit is all about the artists and about the art they create.  Everyone was so excited to meet Soren and to see him work with his wax and flame that they stood in layers trying to see every step and technique.

After a while at “the bench”  Soren graciously invited the more adventuresome souls to try their hand at the wax and helped them get a feel for the technique and each one created something they could take home and have made into a bead.  Before Soren left late that afternoon he created a charm by using a pod he found in front of the gallery.  We have two special Stewartia trees and each year their blossums develop into beautiful pods and as much as I have appreciated the pods each year I never would have thought to make anything of them.  Imagine seeing the world from Soren's eyes, he must go throught life imagining everything as a bead. I am now anxious to have it made into a silver charm I can have dangle from my bracelet.

How did I feel? Wow, how do I even begin to explain how if felt for me to have Soren under my roof and in my gallery?  How can I put it into words?  Let alone Soren, but to have his brother in law, Peter Aagaard at the same time was just as exciting. You have to understand I have been absolutely fascinated by this incredible family for years now and before they came to distribute the line in the U.S. themselves earlier this year, I never thought the time would come where I would actually have them in my gallery with me. First Isobel and now Soren and Peter. I was nervous and excited at the same time.

With each incounter with the family and with the designers I come to learn more about the creative process and about the company itself.

Soren and Peter, we all give you our thanks for the very enjoyable day.

Every time I look at my emails or check Trollbeads Facebook sites I discover new treasures coming from Trollbeads in all shapes and forms! Just when you think they have released the most perfect introduction of beads this autumn...more great things are on their way.

As many of you now know we are officially introducing the Trollbeads Skeleton to the U.S. market at Trollbeads Fest! 2011 on September 23rd and 24th.  We have seen the Skeletons at the New York Show and surprisingly fell madly in love with them.  I say this because last year when they were only offered to the European market we all pacified ourselves with thinking we weren't interested.  Let me tell you...hold all comments and opinions until after you meet one in person, it is beautiful and hilarious all at the same time. He's meant to hang in a "lazy attitude" and trust me he does.  Of course when you consider it is one of Soren's designs you can appreciate it even more!  I like to think of it as personal sculpture!

The Trollbeads Coin, issued for their 35th Anniversary is nothing short of stunning.  We should be getting ours next week.  Please reserve yours now by emailing us or calling us at 888-758-3641. Louise@TrollbeadsGallery.com.  We will supply further information on its creator, very talented Danish designer, Thor Hoy and photos of each side, on TrollbeadsGallery under "What's New" the second it arrives.  I will post the price when I get it!!

The next release and one everyone has been talking about is the set being offered to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness.  There are going to be 2 versions of gift sets.  Everyone has been discussing this because it is a fund raiser that is close to our hearts but also because the Pink Prism, as in the older version, is a part of it too.  The release will inlcude 2 versions.  One set is the ring "Strength, Wisdom and Courage" ring sold with the Pink Prism at $225.00 and the second set the ring is sold with the "Rose Ribbon" Trollbead and is $99.00. Both Sets.

The above photo is the ring and the pink prism.

Other news-the new autumn beads are really phenomenal and if you haven't seen them check them out here!The Autumn Collection 2011

Guest Blogger Anna Teresa gets creative on funding $$ sources for buying Trollbeads!

I have seen the new Autumn Trollbeads release and I can tell you: it is breathtaking. Unlike the two last releases this time there are SO many beads I want to buy. Glass, stone,silver, gold. I think this time I really get bankrupt. But, as a mother of three cute little sons and with quite some responsibility I have to think of something else than going crazy with all these gorgeous beads. And because I think there are quite a few of you who think just like me, I will share some ways to get bead money.

1. Check your closets and attic and sell everything you don’t need or use anymore at the flea market. Books, toys, clothes. There are always other people who want to pay a few pennies for it. 2. Do you have gold jewelry you don’t wear?  Not that special ring you got from your grandmother, but old out dated, old fashioned items that just lay around? The gold price is very high, so if you exchange it, you will get a good sum. It is always good to ask two jewelers for a bid to choose the best one. 3. Travel to work or school on your bike, don’t spend money on gasoline, spend it on beads. 4. Give your husband a massage in exchange for a new bead.

So, now you have money to buy beads. Can you feel it burn in your pocket? You just have to spend it. But do you have a good reason to buy a bead? Let me help you with those too. A good reason to buy a Trollbeads is: To celebrate that you are happy and healthy. When you are moody and need to cheer up. When you have a new home for your beads but some rooms are still vacant. Are you on a diet: a bead for every two pounds you have lost, will do. You need new beads to make a combination for that wedding or Fest that is coming up!

Oh well, we can all think of hundred other reasons to buy a bead, can’t we? Just remember one thing: love what you already have and don’t be sad about all the things you can’t have. So when the new release comes out at the end of the week: see, feel, compare and buy those that you love the most.

Anna Teresa is a guest blogger and a professional writer from Holland. She was here in Massachusetts for Trollbeads Fest! 2010.

Since early Spring when the Aagaard/Nielsen Family came to the U.S. to establish a new distributorship we have been fortunate to meet each of the Aagaards.  Lise, Peter and their children have all been working so hard to create a smooth running distributorship and one that will see Trollbeads rise in popularity.  There has never been a question of the quality but the brand deserved so much more than what had been provided for preciously.

Next week I am very happy and excited to meet another member of the family,Soren Nielsen, Lise Aagaard's very prolific brother.  Soren is actually considered the creator of the Trollbeads line as he created the very first Trollbeads back in 1976.  Soren will be coming to Rogers Gallery and will be demonstrating the steps involved in creating a silver or even gold Trollbead.  The process includes creating the wax model and then creating a mold from that.  To see this "Imaginative Troll" use his skills will be a thrill to see when I think about all the times I've wondered about the process. We have some special take home memorablia for those who purchase one of Soren's Beads.  We will also be offering all of the Retired Beads of Soren's that we have on our website.

Just last year at this time I would never have imagined we would have him in the flesh.  It has been an amazing year for Trollbeads and I hope the focus continues to be as positive has it been.  To be lucky enough to sell a line as extraordinary as this makes me so fortunate but then to have it still be family owned and be managed but such good family centered people, makes me ecstatic.

SO if you are anywhere near the South Coast of Massachusetts please put this coming Thursday, August 18th on your calendar! Both Soren and Peter Aagaard will be with here between the hours of 1-5 PM. 

All this excitement and we still have Trollbeads Fest ! 2011 to look forward to!

We will be offering Trollbeads Specials during the event and they are the following!

Purchase 3 Trollbeads, receive 4th free.

Purchase gold beads* and receive $100 off. *(3 smallest beads are exempt.)

Purchase and gold and silver Trollbead  and receive $50.00 off.

We are also offering the brand new promotion from Trollbeads.  Buy a chain and any clasp and receive a free Glass Group 1 Trollbead!  We are also offering the special on our website. Trollbeads Gallery

Here is Soren's wonderful Skeleton Necklace!

Top Photo:Peter Aagaard,Isobel Aagaard,Lise Aagaard, Krista Rogers,Louise Rogers,Robun Aagaard,Alex Rogers and Nicolas Aagaard.

I thought Friday night would be a perfect time to have a totally uninformative blog on Trollbeads.  It's been my mission to share information of all things Trollbeads and to spread the artistic and creative history...but not tonight.  Tonight I am going to be very self indulgent and talk about myself and my life with Trollbeads. That was your warning to either stop reading or laugh along with me.

I've recently had a few interactions with professional people who are involved in marketing, event coordinating, and social media. They have asked me how I am able to juggle everything I do on the internet with Trollbeads. The only answer I can give is that I live Trollbeads morning, noon, night and even the middle of the night. Some of you can attest to this as the hours of my email answers are downright embarrassing.  The problem is this is not the answer these professionals are looking for.  They want a concrete answer from me.  Imagine the conversation, if you will.  On one hand you have a marketing expert who really wants to know a qualitative or quantitative answers from me because they view me as being a social marketing success. "How many hours to you do you spend writing your blog?" Or "what percentage of conversions do you have on your Facebook page?"  I should also say that they are probably wondering how I've managed it at all at my age. I will admit the to you thing one thing I can qualify and that is it's a  good thing these interviews have been held over the phone so they can't see me processing bead photos in Photoshop or see me checking my in-box as the conversation continues. I think I know what they want to hear but the only answer I can honestly give them can't explain it in their terms.  I have no secrets, I have no schedule, I have no hidden staff of internet search engine assistants, I have no degree in marketing, I have no superior knowledge of the trends in social marketing and I am not paying for Google ads.

What I do have is a life that is 90% embedded in Trollbeads, just like the news teams on the battle front. The other 10% is for my family, my friends...who have thinned out STE (Since my Trollbeads Era) and for my two orphan stores (did I mention I have 3 Facebook pages?).*

How could I ever explain to these sharp marketers that all this perceived "marketing success" I have... has all been the result of a totally all consuming, totally obsessive and totally authentic love affair I am having with Trollbeads.

Cheers, Louise

P.S.

*the numbers don't lie...help the orphans and "like" them.

1.) Trollbeads Gallery Facebook       9000+ likes

2.) Rogers Gallery Facebook           200+ likes

3.) Surroundings Home Facebook   100+ likes

Yesterday I made our newest category on Trollbeads Gallery go live...and within half an hour 14 Trollbeads had been sold!  With no notice my very quick customers caught on and took advantage of a new product category created JUST for Trollbeads collectors who can only shop via the internet.

"Trollbeads:With a Twist" is the name of the new category and that is exactly what it is.  They are standard glass Trollbeads that have some noticeable difference from the bead it is supposed to be. From color, design and size! The really big versions or small versions of the standard Groups 1,2 and 3 will also be included in this new category. Have you seen those great Azure Bubbles with green streaks or the Blue Deserts that are red or even yellow? The Trollbead to the left is a striking rendition of the new White Cap Trollbead. How about the Khaki Stripes with Pink in the khaki area?  I know for a fact that many collectors who are close to Trollbeads stores love to collect these beads and go around hunting for them. Notice the pink in the Khaki Stripes below!

Whatever the bead is the price is it's original retail price. Also shown here will be the precious stone beads that are very light compared to the standard stone bead or very dark.  The extremes of the stone beads makes them beautiful when used all together.  The dark Aventurine looks like deep emerald.

Another precious stone Trollbeads to keep your eyes out for is the very light Golden Quartz.  It looks like a yellow sapphire! The one below is a beauty but they

come in even lighter than this one!

The beads like Azure Bubbles (above) are good to buy from this category because where they are all so different at least you can choose the one you want. Do you like it with brown? With Pink? With light green? The Blue Desert (below) is certainly a beautiful bead but it definitely is not blue!  I will be posting more and more beads here so stay tuned!

I am getting very excited thinking about this year's Trollbeads Fest with both  Eske Storm and Kim Buck, both being guest designers from Denmark.  Kim Buck is a relative new comer to the Trollbeads design team but he has already carved out a clearly recognizable "look" with his beads.  If you happen to study the Trollbeads and come to know the designers you can see a style that is definitely unique to each designer and Kim has a very clean style.  With his designs it appears to me very favorably that less is more.

Kim Buck's style is not specifically just for his Trollbead designs as he is a professional full time jewelry designer with his own studio and works on commissioned pieces for the world famous Georg Jensen Silversmiths in Copenhagen.  The Georg Jensen company is where fine jewelry and silverware has been produced for over a century and has enjoyed a prolific and successful history. Kim graduated from Copenhagen's Institute of Precious Metals in 1985 and as a designer for Georg Jensen, "Kim Buck does not solely focus on creating elegant lines, but rather on the interplay between personality and design, between the wearer and the object."

Kim's "Love Within" Trollbead speaks volumes in a very private way as you can wear your heart on your sleeve but keep it to yourself.  The simplicity of this design adds a great band of silver on your bracelet and it can be engraved upon. At Trollbeads Fest! 2011 we will have these beads available engraved with "Trollbeads Fest! 2011".

My personal favorite is "Two Sides to Everything".  I liked it so much I recently contracted to have it made into 18K Gold and it quickly sold out.  I would love to see his "Trefoil Knot" in 18K Gold but judging from the weight it would be prohibidly costly where gold is historically so high.

I am very much looking forward to meeting Kim and I know many of you are also!  For information on Trollbeads Fest! 2011 please visit the website. Tickets and events are listed. History making year for Trollbeads in the United States.

*From the Georg Jensen website.

 This is a blog by our guest blogger from the Netherlands, Anna Teresa Bellinzis. Below she is standing next to our sign on Trollbeads Fest 2010, Day 1!

Memories of Trollbeads Fest 2010

When I see Louise's announcements for Trollbeads Fest 2011 I just have to think back to October 2010. Because I was so lucky to be at the first Fest and that was a great experience. When I joined the Trollbeads Gallery Forum I never even thought of going to Mattapoisett. That was something unreachable. But then, one day, I received a mail from a great, great friend who asked me if I would like to come. I looked at my husband and was speechless. What should I say, I asked him. Go, if you want to, my husband said. We sure can manage a few days without you. So I wrote back a big YES, my tickets were booked and I found another lovely friend who wanted to share a hotel room with me. Then the waiting began. Six long months in which I saved money to buy wonderful beads; the happy universe was number one on my list. I bought some souvenirs for my friends in The States and thought night after night which outfits I should bring to the fest. Because they had to match my beads of course! And then there was the day I flew to Boston were I met Chuck and Mary. I was a bit nervous: would we like each other in real life as we do on the forum? After a big hug I knew the answer. Yes we would have a great time together. I felt instantly safe with them. After a few hours we arrived at New Bedford and saw other forum members. More hugs followed and it was as if we were relatives that hadn’t seen each other for a long time. It felt trusted, like family. We laughed, looked at each other’s beads and talked for hours. The following days were great.

We met Louise and her staff at Louise's great gallery. We could look at beads as long as we wanted and if we needed a certain color we could choose from so many beads that were in store. Penni was so patient with me looking for the perfect color when I wanted to buy a deep bubbles with pink and a real dark amethyst. Do you remember Penni? And there was wine and cheese and a raffle and we had a lot of fun with plastic skeletons that Chuck brought with him, with a nod to the Trollbeads silver and gold Skeletons that had jsut been released in Europe. (Pictured at the end of the blog)

Louise also organized a day with even more beads, Australian pax designer Suzanne Hopping signing the Coffee Table Book, there were demonstrations, balloons filled with beads, a boat trip and a superb diner. And I think I can say that everyone present felt proud to be at this Fest that turned out to be a great success. And no: it was not all about the beads. It was about seeing friends and talking without the passion we share. And celebrate that passion with even more Trollbeads!

Now I remember something funny. At the hotel I saw other (non-Trollie) guests looking at us as we were all dressed up with as many beads we could wear. What were they thinking? Well, at least that we were a very happy bunch of people. This year I am not able to go to the Fest, but I recommend to everyone who is still doubting, to go. If you want to have a great time and meet all your Friends from Trollbeads Gallery Forum, the weekend of September 23 and 24th is one you can’t miss.

                                The skeleton crew in 2010!