WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF TROLLBEADS

To view the making of Trollbeads video click here.

It was 30 years ago that brother Søren created the first bead with “six faces”.

Many more were to follow and the name Trollbeads came naturally.

The more Trollbeads that were designed the more family members became involved and so they began working together. Father Svend described the miracle of nature and the magic that is revealed in our every day life. Those great stories were translated into the small beads and together with brother Jens, they made sure that the growing demand was taken care of.

Brother Per cracked the hardest nut of all, an ability to drill a hole in the fresh water pearls without breaking them; and sister Lise brought the magnificent colour spectrum to the collection by introducing the glass beads.

What Are Trollbeads?

Trollbeads are a collection of bead charms produced by Lise Aagaard of Copenhagen and are designed to be worn on an appropriate sized chain as a bracelet or necklace. They are known both for their distinctive designs and for their interesting combinations of materials.

Many people start by buying just one and then go on to build a large collection, allowing them to vary their jewellery to suit the situation and their mood.

History

The history of the authentic troll bead goes back some 30 years. They were first created in 1976 by Svend Nielsen, a goldsmith in Denmark. There are currently several hundred beads in the collection using diverse materials including silver, gold, glass and natural stones.

One of the first Trollbeads produced showed a face with six different expressions which varied as the bead was rotated. A version of this is still available today (ref 11105).

As with many modern collectibles, certain Trollbeads are "retired" from time to time to make way for new additions to the range.

The Trollbeads concept......

Each bead, in the Trollbeads collection, tells a unique story. You can design your bracelet by selecting beads that have special meaning for you, and in that way create your own personal story.

Beads are threaded on the chain from the end with the small link. Then clip on the small end of your lock to the small end of your chain and you are on your way to your very own creation.

1. First select the proper bracelet size.(From the Bracelets and Locks page).

When measuring for bracelets, measure tightly where your wrist is broadest and add 2 cm or about 1 inch. This will allow enough slack to add beads and fill your bracelet.

2. Purchase the lock of your choice in your shopping cart..(From the Bracelets and Locks page).

You simply unhook the smaller clasp to add or change beads, and unhook the larger lock to put the bracelet on and off of your wrist.

3. Then visit our Trollbeads page and click on the individual beads you would like to purchase in your shopping cart.

A full bracelet can hold between 16 and 18 beads

Trollbeads history from 1976 to 2006

30 years ago people wore parka coats, and big hair was in. ABBA has just released "Arrival" and "Saturday Night Fever" was about to take the world.

1976 was between the hippie age and the disco era; political awareness was declining and the need for parties, dancing and good times was on the rise. And if you were "with it" you had a leather string around your neck. It was here, in this period, the first Trollbead made its entrance.

Even as a young silversmith, Soren Nielsen was well on his way with his works in the hobby-room in a cellar in Holte. He had created a small, refined pearl in silver from a wax model and oxidized and polished it until it was just right. Soren hit upon drilling a hole through the pearl and suddenly things fell into place. The very first Trollbead, "The Mask", was born. This bead can still be found in the collection by the way.

Five Beads followed "The Mask" (at first they were called Trollpearls) and made up the first ever collection. These pearls were not subject to effective marketing and flashy PR, however; they lived their quiet lives on the shelves of the father's jeweler's shop in Klareboderne in Copenhagen. They were in Hibernation, but the customers gradually noticed them and began putting more and more pearls on the same string.

Trollbeads History 1981

The growing pains began

In the mid-80s Lise started her apprenticeship with her father, Svend, and opened her first shop in The King's Lyngby. Up until that time she had been working with anything but jewellery. She is, in fact, a qualified physiotherapist! At first the shop sold all kinds of jewelry but the Trollbeads got the customers' attention. Soon inquiries flooded in; wouldn't it be possible to create symbols for "faith hope and charity" or a silverfish or something completely different? Soon business flourished, probably because of the pearls' combination of the genuine classic materials and the infinite number of combinations these pearls offered. So it was, in fact, the customers that inspired the company and the pearls to evolve.

In 1988 the family started working with gold as a material, produced by the father. The silver chain was already developed, the gold chain saw the light of day and a new lock was invented. This lock was no longer soldered on, but could easily be opened with a pair of tongs. Today the lock has been evolved further and now the wearer is able to open it themselves, making it possible to change the Trollbeads, add new ones and experiment with different combinations as often as they please. The family started including pearls, and the collection evolved and expanded gradually along with the growing demand.

Trollbeads History 1993

In 1998 Lise Aagaard had a new and groundbreaking idea. She had been interested in glassmaking for some time and the desire to use glass in the jewelry arose. It took several years of experiments before they were ready for the market, as it was imperative that the quality of the new Trollbeads would match up to the existing range,

In 2002 the first glass Trollbeads hit the market and in two shakes the demand grew to a point where the family could not keep up anymore. The solution was to outsource. Different business partners were found, with a starting point in already existing cultural tradition for crafting in the different material.

Trollbeads History 1998

"When it was possible for us to deliver a new adventure began. During the next two years the Trollbeads made their international debut, and is now in distributed in more than 20 countries in Europe, Asia and the United States.



In constant devlopment

Today, "Lise Aagaard Copenhagen" is a well-oiled and innovative business running into millions. It is in constant development and has a keen nose when it comes to innovation in the design department.

Over 1,500 retailers all over the world sell Trollbeads, and with 200 retailers in Denmark the company still has strong roots in its homeland. 20 independent designers are affiliated to the company, all dedicated to break new ground with new materials and variations that will uphold the Trollbead legacy and make the collection increasingly varied.

The unique thing about the product is that it is the same as 30 years ago when ABBA won peoples hearts with "Dancing Queen". The dream lasted. Yes, the 6 Trollbeads have increased to 400, the designers have more leeway - some designs are triangular, new combinations have seen the light of day, new materials are implemented (the most recent one being the Swarovski-crystal) but basically it is the same product. Simply because the Trollbeads are inspiring; both on an expensive gold chain and on a leather string.