(Below photo:New Bedford's Mayor Scott Lang,Louise and Trollbeads CEO Peter Aagaard.)
Sometimes when you are so close to something you can’t see it clearly until enough time goes by. Last weekend we hosted Trollbeads Fest! 2011, our second Fest. If you have planned a large event or a wedding you know what I am talking about. Months before the event the planning begins and hotel rooms are blocked off and the various caterers are scheduled. Then you start ordering the favors. The closer you get the more consumed you become by the event and you begin hearing from the guests frequently and the excitement grows. By a week or two before the event you start to lose sleep and the lists in your head that you check off from 2AM to 4AM drift off into a haze of pre-dawn dreams. During the event you notice something is not in place... but you know you had it on “the list” or did I? I must have dreamt that. There may not have been many things that were missed or things that anyone else noticed were missing but I noticed and that’s the important thing. So you go through the motions hoping everyone is enjoying themselves, learning and meeting new people all around Trollbeads and hoping no one is noticing that the list of your dreams was never been checked off. I am still coming down to earth so I will use the post-Fest comments made by the attendees. It's these comments that have convinced me everything went well after all. The first commentary is from Sandra McCann, a great collector who also came to last year’s fest. Thank you Sandra.
"I thought Louise and her crew did an exceptional job again this year! I enjoyed every moment of it and it's probably because I went out to dinner on Friday night after the Gallery Reception. Catching up with old friends and making new friends was definitely one of the highlights for me!!! I agree with Mary Anna about an appointed time for the famous "WRIST SHOT" photo! They seem to me a MUST when any Trollies get together and at FEST, the more the merrier!!! Also, Laura's suggestion of NAME TAGS. Most of us "know" each other from our avatar, not our name. A NAME TAG with our avatar on it would be GREAT!!! I absolutely LOVED the Aarggard's involvement in this years FEST! Having Peter there REALLY made it a BIG DEAL!!! It just shows how involved the family is in the whole business and as collectors, we can actually MEET them... truly a MUST!!! Having Kim Buck there was FANTASTIC! His passion for design really shows in all that he creates!!! The slide presentation by him was just AMAZING! Now I completely understand why my DOUBLE HEART bead comes apart when I take it off my bracelet.... makes me love it and HIM even more!!! And of course there was Eske Storm!!! I don't think I have ever met a more charming man who truly was such a GOOD SPORT! He was such a delight, really. Having the designers involved in FEST, in my opinion, was one of the highlights for me as a collector. To be able to talk to them really makes the beads come to LIFE!!! Having Sarah there to make the glass beads was great too!!! The idea that I think was the BEST was the LE Trollbeads Fest Bead!!! That idea, Louise was just OUTSTANDING!!! Not only was it a BEAUTIFUL bead but the fact that all who attended got the same bead and can remember what a fabulous time they had at FEST.... amazing!!! So I would suggest the same thing again for next year..... this really brings us all together in a very unique way. The dinner was just outstanding!!! I didn't go to the dinner last year and I've been kicking myself ever since because of that decision! So this year I decided I HAVE TO GO! It brings the whole FEST to a conclusion. Mary Anna's singing was just GREAT! I loved her fun songs and that she had printed out the words so we could all sing along... that really, for me, was one of the highlights of the dinner.I loved the GIFT BAG!!! I think I told you but in my house we actually FIGHT over the different mugs you've given me over the years! First the beautiful engraved TROLLBEADS GALLERY glass mug, then the engraved TBG tall mug and then last years Travel Coffee Mug.... truly we fight over it because it doesn't leak! LOL When I saw the reusable COLD TRAVEL CUP, I was in complete heaven!!! But seriously, soooooo very generous with the Gift Bag!!! Thank you!!! I loved every moment of it and would love for you to do another one next year, Louise. I know that there is a tremendous amount of work that goes into such an event but if you truly knew how happy you've made all of us by creating an event that we can get together IRL and talk about what has brought us all together (TROLLBEADS!) and laugh (boy did we do A LOT of that!!!)..... you should be soooooo very proud! THANK YOU!!!!! xo