Double, Double Toil and Trouble

I'm having a Victor Meldrew moment here... a glorious 5 days of feeling much better after Lurgy 1.0 finally gave up defeated after our epic month long battle, and then I went down with Lurgy 2.0 on Friday...

An unexpected visitor who came to see
what I was up to last week... I think he heard about
my new Redbalifrog Lock!

So far it appears to be a faster, quicker version so I'm hoping it's also a shorter version and that I might be sane & healthy by the weekend.  I really don't fancy another 4 week stint - I have plans and a life to get back to!

As a result of Lurgy 1.0 I indulged in my Redbalifrog Wishlist starting with the Dragon Lock that's been at the VERY top of my lock wishlist for years.  This was shortly followed by the Frog Lock from the 2014 Me'Lange Collection and two of the charms from the Myths and Legends Collection that debuted earlier this year: Book of Spells and Cyclops Skull.  Which you might notice is doing a headstand for the photo, bear with me, it's been one of those weeks!

Look what happens when you're stuck at home ill!

In the background you can see I'm catching up with my rubber links from X Jewellery, the not so new but gorgeous Khaki colour, with more on the way now I've seen the colour in person!

I also wanted to show you what's been on my wrist this last week or two, a slightly belated delivery of beads that have gone straight from parcel to bangle.

Scott Bouwens Glass Beads

Two gorgeously deep red and black beads from Scott Bouwens - if the name sounds familiar to Trollbeads fans, Scott was the designer of the Rocky Beach Kit!

These weren't the only beads that arrived, nor my only Scott beads... but it's time to have another Lemsip and I'm flagging a bit.. so I'll leave you with just these for  now!

What new things are you looking forward to?

Past the Watershed - New Collections from Redbalifrog, Trollbeads & X by Trollbeads

We are now 4 main collection release dates into Fall, and another due in 9 days and I've yet to blog any of them!

In early August we saw Redbalifrog release their Me'lange Collection a small eclectic mix of silver, onyx and brass and also featuring a new necklace.

L-R: Redbalifrog Me'lange and X by Trollbeads Strong & Free 2014

A couple of short weeks later this was followed by the X by Trollbeads Strong & Free Collection featuring 3 new bronze decorative links, a new heavily detailed lock and a range of 9 silver decorative links.

Early September saw a huge offering from Trollbeads with the release of their main Fall Collection, this included 2 new glass kits, 2 leather bracelets, 1 lock, 2 stones and no fewer than 17 silver pieces!!!

Trollbeads Fall Collection 2014

On the same day Trollbeads also released a much smaller Halloween Collection, just 3 pieces, a Bat Lock, Bead and Earrings.  Although small this generated a huge splash across the Internet with collectors eagerly awaiting this release!

Trollbeads Halloween Collection

X by Trollbeads will debut their Halloween Collection later this month (26th) featuring 4 new links and pre-ordering is now available.

X by Trollbeads Halloween 2014:
Stormy Vs Alive

So 4 new collections released, and pre-ordering open for the 5th... what did I get?

Well so far... nothing!

My crazy August spending on preloved pieces and clearance sales reduced my original new collection budget to zero, so I have to wait until I get paid later this month before I can indulge in anything else.

This has forced a gap between the release dates and any buying/pre-ordering I might do, so I have the thinking time that I often don't have the self-discipline to grant myself; which is not a bad thing.  I have a very strong "ooh shiny" impulse so what I get isn't always what I would use straight away.  I'm curious to see how this pans out come pay day...

What do you think of the new collections?

Have you indulged and how did you make your choices to indulge or not?

P.S. Happy Anniversary to X by Trollbeads! 1 year old today!!

Everything But The Beads

Well given that I was a student in Hull, albeit not as early as 1982, you'll perhaps forgive my title...

Today I thought I'd bring you up to speed with everything but the beads... and yes there are TWO chess locks in that photo.  There are also two plain locks but you might have missed those in the excitement.

Whilst Victoria over at Endangered Trolls alerted everyone that the chess lock was about to make an appearance actually for sale through a retailer and kept us all up to date, later on Michael over at Mike's Trollbead Adventure! wrote a lovely piece on the history of this lock, supplemented by his insider knowledge of not only having worked with Trollbeads but also having visited Fable who are the UK distributors of Trollbeads.  I would recommend a visit to those two blogs for a much more detailed account of this lovely lock and the story of how it all happened.

For me personally, the appeal is a lot about what the lock is not... it's not floral, an animal or particularly girly/cute.  I like it because it is more plain, gender neutral, a bit abstract even though it's a pattern and I love the history of it.  As an aside I anticipate that I may be switching over to Redbalifrog locks next time I want a new one as I love their detailing and designs.

There was quite a scrum, as first one, then two, then three, then four Danish retailers were able to sell a very small quantity of these locks, which flew out of the shops selling like proverbial hot cakes. Whilst I did manage to get my own lock on the second attempt (I found a retailer selling these before it had become common knowledge), the credit for my second lock goes to a very lovely troll friend who managed to source several for people who were unable or unsuccessful in buying any at all.  I did make sure that everyone had had the chance of getting at least one before I felt confident in snagging a second... I didn't want anyone to miss out!

Bracelet wise, I'm now up to 7 silver bracelets and have been steadily buying stoppers and safety chains for all of these.  All my safety chains are artisan as I just can't bring myself to pay the official asking price for a safety chain... When I first started collecting I did purchase an official chain, ironically this broke (totally my own fault I hasten to add) and I didn't want to pay out for another.  I've also been able to source artisan stoppers too so apart from my first 2 troll ones, I've picked up 4 more official troll ones at half price but the rest are all artisan.  More bead fund for beads!

Leather wise I just have my original blue leather bought back last summer and the brown leather I picked up just after Christmas, the new collection that released in January 2013 saw some 2 toned leather bracelets added so I think that may be just where I am headed next.  Leather bracelets are great when you want a more casual look, to wear less beads or need to type/write and a full bracelet is just too tricky.

Just before the all the chess lock excitement/drama happened, I'd finally matched up the number of bracelets to locks to stoppers to safety chains, not that this matters but it was fun (in a nerdy kind of way) to have everything all equal.  I'm sat here wondering if this is a good enough reason for more bracelets now I have 2 spare locks?  In an even rarer Mars moment, all bracelets are actually made up right now and I have none spare for bead play (for all the spare beads) - and yes I did have to dismantle everything and store it with military precision to take all these photos and yes it very much was a complete pain in the ass to do so.  That should remind me to plan ahead a bit more with photography for blog posts, or maybe not!

Which is probably why the next picture happened, I think I thought that if everything was dismantled I needed more to show for it... now I know what I think this is a picture of, but I wonder if we see the same thing?  Tony Hart I am not!

Finally there was one more thing I was really in need of.  If you read the blog on a regular basis you won't have failed to notice that my collection has increased quite substantially over the last 5 months in particular.  I overcame the storage issue by buying another stacking case (I can't recommend these enough for being very useful) but I was hankering after something a bit more substantial.

I'd seen the official Trollbead white jewellery cases when they came out, but being not a fan of white, I completely ignored it, and to be fair I didn't need something that size at the time.  What changed my mind was a discussion on how friends kept their beads, there were some great solutions but then I saw photos of the white jewellery box with someone's collection in and realised just how much it held.  So then I was on the hunt for one, which was much harder than I expected given it was still on all the websites.

Unbeknownst to even my Local Dealer, not only had they all sold out, but were no longer available from Fable either.  I then turned my attention online and scoured the internet, lots of jewellers had them on their websites, but as an order in item; which you can't do if there are none left... I finally found one and ordered it and probably confused the shop by ringing them up to ask "You definitely have this actually in stock in the shop, one you can physically send out?"  as I knew I was running out of time to find one... but yes they did have one actually in the shop and yes they did physically send it out the next day.  I would show you this full of beads but given my title... you'll just have to wait.

Retired Silver Mexican Lock

I love this lock and have always kept an eye out for one at a great preloved price, so was really surprised to stumble across a new one in the sales!  I say stumble because the web site was rather clunky to use and I hadn't really seen that many new ones for sale online... perhaps I've not been looking in the right places?!

Most Mexican Locks I've seen have different coloured glass and lots of colours, mine has green on both sides which I rather like.  Although this lock is retired, the gold version is still available in the current collection.

I wasted no time at all in ordering this, I still can't believe I was able to aquire a new one at a sale price, and to the lock's credit my live-in geek even expressed how nice this was... the highest praise indeed - reserved for only the most special of pieces!

Teal Luck and Joy Starter Bracelet (Imagination)

These were released in mid-October 2012 as limited edition starter bracelets, you get a silver chain, plain lock (smaller than the regular plain lock), silver lucky knot and the Colourful Joy bead which comes in a range of colours but is limited to only being available to buy as part of the starter bracelet.  Here is the link to the official UK Trollbeads page regarding colour choices in the UK.

When I first saw these I thought they were very pretty, but I'm not a massive fan of polka dot beads, I already have silver lucky knot and whilst I wanted a plain lock for my leather bracelet I wasn't in a rush for one.  It was something that I thought I would get at "some point".

Bead wise I always thought my love of purple would come to the fore, but teal is a colour that isn't that widely available across the range and I couldn't resist.  Actually I fully intended to resist full stop, even chatting with fellow blogger Victoria over her review of this bracelet that I would like one "one day", fully believing I was talking metaphorically not that I was measuring out the approximate amount of time it would take for me to buy one.

So what happened over the course of next 48 hours for me to do another about turn?  A very attractive deal, that's what!  The bracelets retail at £75 which is an excellent price for the starter bracelet as the debut bracelets (with 2 glass beads) have started at £99 but they also offer one of the upgraded locks such as knot, flower or lace.  I'd done my homework and sourced new bracelets from other retailers that worked out slightly cheaper, but then another collector had a few new ones in for even less, and that is what prompted me to go, oh never mind the boiler fund... I'll do my "one day" tomorrow then.

The bracelet surpassed my expectations, I was expecting to like the bead, especially the colour and be happy about the extra bracelet, the extra lucky knot and finally getting the plain lock... but this really is a great starter bracelet and whilst I was typing this blog up a friend showed me a photo of her bracelet picked up on the weekend with the red bead - now I want another one and I've not even finished blogging about this one yet!

The bead is lovely, a very clear and defined translucent teal colour with the spots being an opaque pale mint/teal on cream that sit on the surface of the bead.  The bead is slimmer than some of the standard production beads and is one that you definitely notice.

When I was playing with some combinations I did get the urge to go source some teal uniques (OOAKs) to go with it but have resisted, well for tonight at least!

Christmas 2012 Holiday Collection - my new lock

Friday saw my new lock arrive from the US, complete with a complimentary 17cm silver bracelet, one of the  bargain deals that I talked about in my first post of November.

The lock arrived in a cute little bracelet box that I've not seen before, I always enjoy how the trollbead packaging is a design classic it's own right.

This Lock with Buds is beautifully detailed, the buds actually cover every part of the lock and the texture and detailing on this lock is superb.  I've been waiting for a new lock to appear and hoping it would be along the lines of the lace lock with a repeat pattern on the lock rather than a "feature" lock.

I have only one criticism of the new design, and it's a flaw that I've yet to see how easy it will be to live with, as I wanted to blog about the new lock as soon as it arrived.  The problem is that the small loop of the trollbead bracelet does not easily fit square on to the lock.

There is one place on my lock where it will just about sit right; at first I wondered if it was just this particular bracelet, however I tried with my other bracelets and it seems about 50/50, obviously I knew it wouldn't work with the leather bracelet as it was not supposed to.  When I sort my bracelets I'll match this lock to a more suitable chain.

If you are going to buy the Lock with Buds I'd suggest picking out the bracelet to go with it in store if  you can, especially if don't have multiple bracelets, as it will be well worth the trip to avoid the hassle that will come with taking the lock on and off (if like me you like to change your bracelets around regularly).  If you tend to make your bracelets up and leave them as permanent combinations you probably won't share the same frustration.  When I was playing with beads to make a combination I then got the bracelet stuck on the lock and when it was finally released it spilt it's contents onto my lap. (Must get some more stoppers).

Having just spent most of this piece discussing the flaw - I have to say that I'm very glad I've got this lock, I think it's way better than the stock photos and despite it's little difficulties I can see this lock becoming a firm favourite of mine.

Christmas Collection 2012

Well you're probably wondering where my Christmas Collection blog post has got to given the release date was 2nd November, or maybe you're not, I have to admit I was curious myself as to why I hadn't got around to one...

It's not because I haven't been excited about the new Christmas Collection.  To start with it's technically my first one since I started collecting - I'm not really counting Christmas Collection 2011 as despite looking I hadn't bought any trollbeads at that point and since then I have only bought one preloved Limited Edition Christmas Bead from the blue kit.

 

Secondly in 2012, there are a few key pieces I've been very excited about, namely a new lock and a particular silver bead, and I've been rather curious to see the other pieces in the collection, as for me there are many beads that I need to see in real life (not just from stock or actual photos) to make a decision about any must haves, leave it for later or not on your nelly!

For non-UK readers of the blog, indeed for anyone who needs it here is a definition of not on your nelly, but I'm sure you got the gist without the need for any explanation!

Mainly the lack of a Christmas Collection blog post is because I was too busy being a Trollbead Fan Girl, I've been reading about, talking about, looking at, researching deals and generally just been experiencing it rather than writing about it.

My main source of reading blog pleasure about the Christmas Collection has come from Endangered Trolls, not only is Victoria usually the first to break the news but I really like the way she writes and presents her material (hmmm think I'm having a fan girl day today).  Her photos are crisply presented and her blog layout is a delight (told you I was having a day of it).  In the last 24 hours she has been collating lots of the many deals that are available to those collectors who are prepared to shop around, or looking to combine their Christmas Collection purchases with other items to get the best deal for them as an individual.  I'd actually started to do this for myself with online retailers, but it was really good to dip into the links provided by Endangered Trolls to have a nose at the ones I was yet to discover.

Other fellow bloggers have been writing on the subject so I haven't completely neglected Charms Addict, Tartooful, or Michael Nand who've all had something to contribute to my reading list.

Originally rather than reproduce all the photos I thought I would just point you in the direction of other sources such as Endangered Trolls post showing all the beads with details, and Trollbeads UK for further info.

However when I reread the published the piece earlier; I remembered the original reason I started the blog, to see pictures, so I pulled the piece to put in some stock images from Trollbeads UK.  Apologies to anyone who was confused by my "no pictures" "with pictures" indecision this morning.

All my links will open in other windows so if you wanted to make yourself a nice drink, pop open all the links and perhaps enjoy some Saturday reading?  If you fancy some Saturday shopping then I do recommend you read Endangered Trolls posts on the Christmas Collection, there are a lot of good deals out there for those who are prepared to wait for their packages.