Kinda Like A Troll

So...a few months ago I saw an ad in a major fashion mag for beads. It wasn't the first time I had seen the ad, it was just the first time I became curious about it. It was for Troll beads. I wondered how a bead company could afford to place a full-page, color ad in a national magazine, an ad which could have easily cost over $40,000. So I went to the website to see what was up with these beads. http://www.trollbeadsus.com/
They are pretty little things, these Troll beads. Designed to embellish chains, preferrably snake chain or something comparable. Each bead has a little story, a little fairy tale that goes along with it, and each is created by a commisioned artist. The Danish company brings in these beautiful, unique creations and they are distributed around the world. (Other companies do similar pick your own bead jewelry too, like Pandora)

Authentic Troll beads can cost anywhere from $20 each up to $700 (for beads created from gold) and special, rare or retired beads can cost even more. One of the sites I checked for pricing on Troll beads listed a complete bracelet for $1,200 or so.

I remembered a while back one of my regular distributors brought in sterling silver core beads, and at the time, I thought nothing of it. I went back to their site and readjusted my thinking and ordered several colors of these beads, which I can retail in my store for a little less than half the cost of a Troll bead. They are beautiful and weighty creations that look unique and fabulous - especially in wire creations. I also thought they would make a great "filler" bead for those customers who are collecting Troll or Pandora beads and don't have the budget to fill up a bracelet or necklace but want more than a couple of beads. Now that I have them in stock, I find myself staring at them, trying to find ways to work them into projects that would give them the best show. Come in and buy one and set it in front of you when you're working on your next beading project and you'll see what I mean. I've already re-ordered these beauties in other colors...looks like I'll have a full bracelet in no time!