Pages

Saturday 31 August 2013

Trollbead Necklaces - Fantasy Necklace (Pearl)

Ironically, just before I bought my Fantasy Necklace (FN) I'd been having a conversation with a troll friend about how I liked the idea of a FN, but there wasn't one currently I wanted, as I'd only ever seen one combination that I've gone "Oh Wow!" about.

So what are Fantasy Necklaces?  Essentially they are a single unbroken chain that you loop over your head in one piece with a dangle permanently attached.


They come in different lengths and also have different dangles, currently you can get pearl (above), onyx or fairy with wings.  There was a limited edition version with an amethyst which is gorgeous, and you can also get the pearl one in gold too.  You add beads by threading the double loop of the chain through the core so they just fall down to sit above the dangle like so...

I loved the idea of this style of necklace but what had held me back was the choice of dangles.  I was worried that this would limit the combos, as you always have the dangle there.  In essence my opinion on this hasn't changed, I would really love to see a FN with a sculptural silver dangle that is more adaptable to different designs.

I've seen some lovely artisan versions of this necklace, indeed one with a silver dangle (shaped like a sideways trollbead, but that wasn't what I meant by sculptural) and one with an amber one in the shape of a slightly closed flower with the silver casing shaped like the receptacle (which was lovely), but still I've not seen the perfect one for me!

So why, at this point, you might be wondering, did I buy one and with a pearl on? The most unlikely dangle if I was ever to purchase a FN?  Guess what... the price was too good to pass up on!  I was also thinking about Trolltree left stranded in my bead box, but mostly I bought this to experiment with and if it worked, I'd keep it, and if it didn't, I'd sell it on to another collector.

My necklace is 120cm and this is the longest you can get them in, it's very long!!  I wanted a long one as I like having the opportunity to do more with it, and in talking to fellow troll friends who have them, those who have gone shorter wish they had gone longer... conversely I can see the appeal of having a short shorter one too so you don't have to use a splitter bead and a lock...


A splitter is essentially a bead with 3 (or more) holes, like the Elderflower bead above, you divide your FN in 2, by placing it sideways either side of your dangle so you have 2 looped strands to the left and right.  You place both loops up the central hole and pull one out the left hand side hole and one out the right hand side hole and you end up with the arrangement shown above.  You can get other splitter beads and some of the normal silvers will allow you to use them as a splitter if you have more than one hole.

Essentially a splitter allows you to shorten or lengthen your necklace to suit your design (and your body as this allows you to choose where you wish the necklace to "sit").  In order to be able to wear your FN with a splitter you attach a double ended lock to each loop, as shown below.


So what did I choose for my necklace design... just 4 beads including of course the very lovely Trolltree!


I have decided to keep my FN with pearl, I often wear black tops and this design showcases really well next to black.  It's a definite statement necklace and Trolltree works so well with it.  I was lucky to find a HUGE lake eye to sit at the bottom of the tree, it's so big it's the same size as the trollbeads faceted gemstones!  The normal sized lake eye sits within the Trolltree branches.


The bead sitting directly above the pearl dangle is called Pure Passion, another sales bargain this is a triangular bead with 2 pearls and a garnet that rotate on their spindles.  Much like the FN it was a bead I hadn't originally considered, but the price was great and I thought I would sell on if I didn't get on with it... guess what else I'm keeping!

For more ideas on different ways to wear a Fantasy Necklace
you can click this link for the official Trollbeads Guide.

13 comments:

  1. I do wish I had bought a longer one so I could use a splitter, but I manage some lovely designs - I think. Have the pearl, very versatile I think, will be snapping when home. Took me a while to wear it and then - - - ideas kept coming, and I love it now. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can see the point of having a shorter one too Kay, did you go short short?

      I'm glad I got to try one as I wasn't sure I'd make good use of it, I really fancy the big cross bead as I love the silver beads you can wear with a glass bead inside... can't wait to see if the new skeleton bead will sit top to toe on a FN as well as side to side on a bracelet... Not long now until we find out!

      Mars xx

      Delete
  2. Worried that the Pearl would look out of place fussy, but love your design with the Pure Passion charm. Never gave that one a thought either but both are worth investigsting. Hope I can pick them up at a good price...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Angela,

      I think we shared the same fears about the Pearl, Pure Passion looks like it was made for this necklace, the whole charm sits over the dangle attachment completely (you have to "slot" it on to sit like that) but it then provides a platform for beads to sit on. I've kinda gone for well if I have to have a pearl there then I will have 3 and a garnet and make a statement out of it ;)

      I wouldn't have been in any position to try both of these out without a sale as the outgoing investment on a whim that I might like it would have been too great. I was so lucky with the FN as it really was right place right time, but I've since been able to help a friend find a preloved one after she saw mine so it is possible.

      Hope you manage to find them, I think with a lot of the key pieces, well for me at least, patience has been the key if you're on a budget - I wanted Trolltree for so long before I was able to pick one up!

      Happy Hunting!
      Mars xx

      Delete
    2. P.s. It goes without saying I'm on a budget that I keep exceeding... hence why I have 2 cronky old boilers and not a modern nice new shiny heating system lol

      Delete
    3. LOL, know what you mean have a dungeon of a bathroom could have done it over several times but nooo I keep buying beads.Everytime I say something like can't wait to have so and so repaired Hubby used to say look at your wrist now he just gives me the look.Now with the new collection set to launch in a few days I fear the bathroom will again slide to the back of the listed must haves.But that Rose from the Birth month charms will look stunningon mybracelet.:D.

      Delete
    4. I do indeed, I am at the point now where I can almost afford to go ahead with the work but it's a major job and massive upheaval - we have an old house with old plumbing so it does literally entail taking 2 old systems out and 1 new in with all new piping... so floors up the lot!

      Trouble is being an old house I know once we start it's fairly likely to uncover some other work that needs doing so it's also the fear of starting as I only have enough to cover the heating side right now, I think I need a contingency fund as a back up!

      Delete
  3. Lordy, think I may have a FN 36" and Pure Passion at half price waiting to see if person who had 1st shot at them still wants them, if not they and Big Butterfly from Spring are mine, mine mine..... So what if my bathroom needs new fixtures????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay and oops! Ah you can get a sponge wash ;)

      Delete
    2. Got Pure Passion the butterfly and of course a few more glass beads sigh..it never ends.Decided to pass on tbe FN as they are available for less than what was an offer at this store.Saving the FN for another purchase.Hubby would say I saved nothing as the monies for the FN was quickly spent on additional glass.

      Delete
    3. Yay for Pure Passion and Butterfly, that's great news!

      I am still doing my sums for tomorrow, ridiculously excited for this release...

      Delete
  4. OMG its beans rice and minced meat all winter. Just found a seller who has 6 Dottie beads from the Luck and Joy bracelets from last year.Bracelets were sold as a set with knot charm and plain lock but she has them loose in 6 colors.I want...all colors maybe I will get some Summer Stones to be able to get 2 free beads with the Trunk show 3 get one free.This is so bad.....excited to find these then thinking of tomorrows launch... I actuall feel giddy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry Angela, only just got around to reading this, busy with the new release and writing up the collection!

      I have two of the dotty beads, one teal and one pale pink which almost has a lavender sheen to it. Think they were lovely beads!

      I've bought some of the new collection but still trying to work out my Trunk Show buys, all depends whether I'm going to be a bit naughty or super naughty! I'm mindful we still have Halloween and the People's Bead release so am a bit torn at the moment.

      How did you get on with the new collection?

      Delete

I love saying hi to people who've read my blog, or are just passing through via the A to Z, or anyone not a spam bot!

P.s. If you use an iPad/iPhone and are having trouble leaving a comment on Blogger, you might have better luck using a browser that's not the default iPad one... Then from the "Comment as" drop down menu choose Name/Url (you can leave URL field blank or add your web address) or Anonymous and (hopefully) away you go! Mars xx